Detailed Guide to Sub-Surface Laser Engraving Glass Ball
After mastering sub-surface laser engraving for glass balls, you can make custom tree ornaments, décor items, personalized gifts, and more. You can do it for yourself, but it can be turned into a profitable business. All you need is a glass ball and a laser machine.
Then, you only need to follow a few simple steps to engrave your design into a glass ball. This comprehensive guide on sub-surface laser engraving glass balls will teach you everything you need to know to get started.
Why is Sub-Surface Laser Engraving Glass Ball Challenging?
Laser engraving of a glass material is already a difficult task, and when the glass is spherical, like a ball, it becomes more challenging. It is difficult primarily due to the irregular reflection and refraction.
It’s a sphere that acts like a lens. When the laser beam goes through it, it’s diverted or refracted because of the curved surface. Thus, it becomes almost impossible to focus a laser inside the ball at a certain point to create micro-fractures.
Its focal point is disturbed, and the beam is distorted, which is why it can’t concentrate the energy on a single, tiny point inside the glass.
Despite these challenges, it’s possible to do sub-surface laser engraving on a glass ball.
- To control the reflection and refraction of the laser beam, submerge the crystal ball in the engraving oil that has a refractive index close to that of the glass. It should be able to transmit the laser beam completely to let the engraving happen.
- Another method is to use a complementary jig. When the spherical ball is fit into the jig, it acts like a flat surface instead of a curved one. And this makes sub-surface level engraving possible.
Best Laser Machine for Laser Engraving Glass Ball
Can every kind of laser machine engrave a glass ball?
No, you can’t use every kind of laser machine for laser engraving a glass ball. The reason behind this is the specific wavelength.
You can’t use the typical CO2 laser as it is completely absorbed at the glass surface due to its wavelength. It will do frosting on the exterior, not the internal parts, as it can’t pass through.
Fiber lasers are also not suitable for glass (they are for metals and plastics). They can’t precisely focus on the internal section of the glass. They can pass straight through the crystal ball or create fractures at the surface.
Further Reading: If you would like to discover more about the differences of fiber laser and CO2 lasers, check this article.
What is the best laser for glass ball engraving?
UV lasers are the best for glass ball engraving. They have an extremely short wavelength and can engrave the surface level by depositing energy in the internal area at a small volume.
They can deliver energy in short bursts precisely at a focal point, which ensures internal microfractures without affecting the surrounding area or external surface.
The xTool F2 Ultra UV laser engraver can do sub-surface laser engraving on a glass ball with perfection. It is a 355nm UV laser that offers ultra-precise engraving on glass. Its tiny 10um spot and 0.001mm vector resolution ensure ultra-fine details inside the glass ball.
It does 3D subsurface engraving without harming the surface. And not only glass balls, it can also engrave glass blocks or glass pieces of any shape. Its 15,000 mm/s of speed is the fastest in the industry with a maximum output.
Step-by-Step Guide to Sub-Surface Laser Engraving Glass Ball
Follow these detailed instructions to successfully engrave a glass ball using the xTool F2 Ultra UV laser.
Step 1: Gather all the equipment and items you need, including the glass ball, engraving oil, sub-surface lens, riser, container, base, and most importantly, the UV laser. You need a container with a flat bottom. Make sure it is large enough to submerge the whole glass ball.
Step 2: Place the base and ball in the container. Now, pour engraving oil into the container to a level that you can’t see the ball, and it’s completely submerged. Make sure the ball is securely placed on the base so that it doesn’t move during the engraving process.
Step 3: On your laser engraving machine, install the riser accessory. Also, replace the field mirror with the sub-surface engraving lens. Place the container properly under the laser.
Step 4: Open the software on your computer. You need to select the Sub-surface Engraving Mode. You need to place the container in the center. After that, use a ruler to measure the distance from the X and Y axes. Enter these coordinates in the software to position the design accurately.
Step 5: In the software, select the material shape. After putting the ball in the container with engraving oil, it behaves like a Cylinder. Enter the size of the whole container after measuring. Also, enter the refractive index of the glass ball, which is typically 1.5.
Step 6: Now, you need to import the design into the software. Import the 3D image model. Its dimensions should be according to the crystal ball and should easily fit inside it.
Step 7: Here comes the tricky part. You need to position the design on the glass ball. To get the engraving in the center, you need to accurately position it by entering the X, Y, and Z coordinates. Keep in mind that the ball is placed on a base, so while entering the Z coordinates, add the height of the base to the radius of the ball.
Step 8: Finally, you need to enter the Power and Speed settings. Use the recommended values by the software for optimal results. You can also adjust them as per your requirement or based on experiments/trials. Start the engraving process and let it complete. After that, you can take out the ball from the engraving oil. Clean it and see what you have engraved.
We did a live crystal ball engraving the day we launched the F2 Ultra UV machine. Here is the video recap of how F2 Ultra UV successfully sub-surface laser engrave a glass ball:
Tips and Tricks on Subsurface Laser Engraving Glass Balls
Recommended Immersion Liquids
Using immersion liquid can minimize the light distortion caused by the ball’s curved surface to get a consistent and accurate focus of the laser beam during the engraving. Our engineers conducted extensive testing on various liquids to determine the most effective medium for achieving high-detail subsurface engraving.
We found out that the paraffin oil would be the most recommended engraving oil. It produced a sharp, well-defined cubic pattern with excellent detail and consistency. (see picture 1)
The other kinds of engraving liquids our engineers tested include glycerol and saturated salt water. Both alternatives failed to produce a complete or properly formed cube pattern. (see picture 2 and 3)
Based on these findings, we strongly recommend using paraffin oil as the immersion liquid to achieve the highest quality and most detailed subsurface engravings on glass balls.
Recommend Glass Type for Sub-Surface Laser Engraving
You must use the right glass type to witness exceptional sub-surface engraving results. The ideal option is the K9 Crystal or Glass. It’s the standard glass type used for sub-surface engraving. Its properties are ideal for high-end projects and clean and clear results.
K9 is a colorless glass and clear. It offers incredible light transmission. Which means the laser can pass with minimal scattering. Usually, there are no or minimal bubbles and impurities in the glass. Its uniform and consistent composition ensures the laser focus remains stable. K9 crystal is not only available in spherical shape, you can also get the K9 rectangular crystal, faceted round ornament, faceted heat-shaped ornament, etc.
For instance, tempered glass is commonly available. However, it can’t bear a laser. It will shatter into pieces if micro-fractures are created using a laser machine. The reason behind this is that it already has high internal stress, and it can’t bear more.
Similarly, laminated glass is not a good option. It has a glue layer, which creates a hindrance between the glass and the laser. It absorbs and reflects the laser itself and prevents the creation of micro-fractures.
Also, high-colored glasses are also a big NO. The coloring agents in them absorb the laser energy, so the laser can’t engrave. Secondly, it’s not clear enough to have a visible pattern.
Tips for Better Laser Engraving Results
- Always use high-quality and premium K9 Crystal. It can bear the stress and ensure incredible results.
- Before using the glass ball, make sure there is no internal fracture, bubbles, scratches, impurities, or other imperfections. They can deflect the laser beam.
- You are not engraving the exterior, but it should be clean to let the laser beam go through. Clean it thoroughly and do not leave fingerprints, dust, or any residue on the surface.
- Use a precise rule to calculate the X, Y, and Z coordinates. For higher accuracy, you can even use a vernier caliper. You will be able to center the design with perfection.
- Test the settings on a trial piece. It saves time and ensures excellent results.
- The software recommends optimal settings. However, you can also try some variations and find the best option for your case with trials.
- The setup or environment must be sturdy. If that’s not the case, it can vibrate because of the machine. You have to keep everything stable.
Sum up
Sub-surface laser engraving of a glass ball is challenging but not impossible. With the right laser machine and proper steps, you can create a perfectly engraved ball without any expertise. You need to select the right glass ball, use a UV laser, and upload the design you want. Centering the design could be a bit trickier, but it’s something you can master over time. Whether you want to engrave a glass ball for yourself or a small business, you can do it; it’s pretty simple.
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