Interior glass engraving

Interior glass engraving with a laser creates images with depth

The image in the glass cube appears to be floating and is striking due to its fine finish and 3-D features

The third dimension is what gives interior glass engraving its real attraction because instead of a flat image on paper, this image can be displayed and viewed from all angles. In addition to interior glass engraving, other materials can now also be engraved. These include sapphire and diamond as well as synthetic plastic and polycarbonate. The basis for interior glass engraving is provided by a three-dimensional image of a person or object. Special 3-D scanners are used for this purpose. These collect the data and convert them using a software package. Every point of the scanned surface is given a defined position within the three-dimensional space. The file is sent to the laser’s controller for interior glass engraving. The laser beam is deflected by mirrors on the X and Y-axes and focused on the interior of the glass body using a lens.

Nd:YAG laser pulses tiny points into the glass body

The laser head moves around the glass body controlled by the file and produces interior glass engraving through its pulsed energy beam. At the focus of the beam, the energy density is high enough to thermally destroy the glass at defined points. This results in points a few micrometres in size which are used to compose the overall image. Light diffraction and diffusion makes these points appear white in interior glass engraving so that the image becomes visible. Between 500 and 3,000 of these points can be created in the glass every second. The object can even be shaded since, depending on the density of the points, areas with lots of points appear lighter and those with few points darker. The process is currently predominantly used to make gifts and publicity items. But the world of art has also discovered new opportunities, since this process can create outdoor objects which are resistant to weather and protected from vandalism.

Interior glass engraving using a laser is an interesting process, and one for the future. If you would like to know more about it, write to us at info@gkteso.de.

  • gKteso contact
    • gKteso GmbH
    • Michael-Schäffer-Straße 1
    • D 86399 Bobingen, Germany

    • phone: +49 8234 966 38 41
    • fax: +49 8234 966 38 47
    • mail: info@gkteso.de

    Downloadcenter

    downloadcenterDownload Datasheets