At the time, slate became the most popular material for laser engraving. One reason is that slate is the most forgiving material, and you can still get decent results no matter what settings you use.
If all else fails, a quick inspection with an orbital sander will remove any evidence of error.
In the UK, slate is used as a regular building material in areas such as the Lake District, Snowdonia and the Yorkshire Dales, with gorgeous cottages built from this stunning natural material.
Other areas use slate as roofing material. Many years ago my house in Yorkshire had a Welsh blue slate roof.
1. What makes the Slate so good?
Slate is a fine-grained clayey metamorphic rock that splits into thin plates and has excellent tensile strength and durability.
Slate can come in black, blue, purple, red, green or gray.
The color of dark slate is often attributed to carbonaceous materials or finely divided iron sulfide.
The red and purple varieties get their color from hematite (iron oxide), and the green variety gets their color from chlorite, a green mica clay mineral.
With its natural charm and durability, slate offers an excellent surface that combines the elegance of stone with the possibilities offered by laser engraving.
2. Choose the right laser engraved slate
As the saying goes - not all slates are created equal.
Factors such as color, texture, thickness, and durability all play a major role in determining the outcome of your laser engraved masterpiece.
Slate Varieties
Slate comes in a variety of colors and textures, each with a unique appeal.
From classic blacks and grays to rustic greens and colorful variants, the choice of slate will significantly affect the overall look and feel of your engraving, whether you're after simple silhouettes, making intricate patterns, or even photographs.
Slate smoothness
The surface smoothness of the slab can affect the carving process and results.
The smooth slate provides an even layer for precise laser etching, ensuring sharp details and crisp lines.
Conversely, textured or slightly uneven surfaces can add an organic and rustic appeal to carvings, giving your pieces a unique personality.
Surface treatment
Preparing the slab surface prior to laser engraving is a critical step that directly affects the quality of the result.
Proper cleaning and smoothing of the slate surface can remove blemishes.
Exploring different finishing techniques will make your designs really pop.
Using laser engraving combined with the techniques above, you can turn ordinary rocks into extraordinary works of art.
3. Necessary equipment and materials for stone laser engraving
YoraHome offers a large range of machines and laser module kits ranging from 3.5W, 5.5W, 15W, 40W, 80W to the new 96w (20w optical laser).
This laser is compatible with the 6550 and 6550-Pro laser engravers.
Software and Design Tools
Depending on your computing power (and budget), you can use a variety of design tools, including Photoshop, Inkscape, Corel Draw, and more. Regarding laser engraving software, the two most commonly used are LaserGRBL and LightBurn, both of which have their own advantages and benefits.
safety equipment
Safety glasses and proper ventilation are a must during engraving to ensure a safe working environment.
Slate Prep Tools
These may include cleaning brushes, sanding or smoothing equipment, and surface preparation or sealing solutions.
Preparing the slab will ensure the best engraving results and prolong the life of the finished product.
4. Stone laser engraving process
original test
Some things never change. My enthusiasm and desire still often get the better of me, so I tried the slate for the first time a long time ago, ran it hot and slow, and it turned out much better than I could or should have expected.
If you want to torture yourself with my original tests, when I decided not to improvise anymore, you can go back and read my previous blog about how to use LaserGRBL and what I found at the time.
Thankfully, I finally got hold of LightBurn - trust me, for anyone who struggles with it, it hates me!
It took me a long time to understand how it works. Not sure why, but it did, and it was worth it in the end.