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Laser Engraving on Epic + Accessories

Jonathan Stevenson

Jonathan Stevenson

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Hey Folks,

I've seen a few pictures here with people engraving logos and such on their SSD Side Modules, Epic Bodies, SSD Media, etc. I'd love to know a little more about the process if you can help!

1. Is the Epic Side SSD Module anodized or powder coated? I'm assuming powder coated... If so, how does the laser engraving look for those who have done it. Or, did you use a process other than laser engraving to put your logo there? Greg M at Digital FX has a great example of a nice juicy logo etched into the SSD module of an Epic...

2. I've seen lots of SSD Media that have been laser engraved. Anyone have any good pics they want to share? Curious about your thoughts on the process as well...

3. Does engraving effect your warranty?

4. Any other parts in your kit that you think are wise to have etched? Do most of you put your contact info there? Just logos?

Thanks guys!
 
3. If the act of engraving causes damage, directly or indirectly, to the RED product, it would not be covered by warranty, no.

BC
 
Thanks Brent. But isn't laser engraving essentially damaging the surface? Ergo, damaging the product? Or do you simply mean that if during the laser engraving process, my camera catches fire, that wouldn't be covered :)
 
Engraving anodized parts doesn't damage the surface and the amount of heat in the laser and part are minimal. Ipods are laser engraved and so is Brook's FMJ top plate. Black anodizing turns white and looks clean.
Now if the laser is burning off powder coating there is a bit more heat and it would expose the metal underneath. Probably not worth it unless you can afford another side SSD module should it happen to catch fire...which it won't. But who knows how sensitive the electronics inside are to heat.
 
Mine is a simple sticker, not an engraving. I can find out what we used, but it was printed at our studio.
we also use security stickers which are barcoded to help with inventory and checking gear in/out. But these are small and typically hidden.
 
The body is powder coated FYI and would not respond to laser engraving like anodized aluminum does.

Sticker is your friend!
 
Yeah, the powder-coating makes it a bit funky to work with. Still do-able. I laser-etched some logos and other things on old RED DRIVES and RED-RAMs that were powder coated. The fine details don't come through anywhere near as nice as on anodized surfaces and you have to dial-up the laser intensity to burn into the surface a bit more. Or zap it more than once.
 
So it seems like the consensus is yay for SSDs and nay for Side module. How the heck did Brook get a badass spider on his Epic then??
 
No problem on the side module. Many have camera names and "MYSTERIUM-X" engraved on the sides of their CF modules for the RED One.

Really, the powder coating isn't that big of a deal. Like I said, it's a bit more difficult with the fine details. Here's an etching on a RED-RAM, which is powder coated very similar to a RED One / EPIC.

Oh, and stickers do have an advantage in that people don't mind removing them when you go to sell the gear. A large etching like this takes a bit of grinding or re-etching to remove and then you have a giant bare spot. Not popular when trying to sell these things.

rmetch.jpg
 
R. Schorman said:
Ahhh you are just burning it until the paint is gone ;)
Click to expand...

hehe... Yeah, pretty much the only way. ;) Anything less and you just mar the paint a bit.

Lasering on anodize requires much less power.
Click to expand...

Yep. Much better overall. I was just pointing out that lots of us have and do laser etching on powder-coated or painted surfaces.
 
CJ Roy said:
We had a bit of fun grinding that off and repainting it.
Click to expand...

HAHA... At least I pointed it out in advance. You're not the only one, I had two more just like it. Had to do one of them myself because the buyer for that one didn't want to mess with it. So no, I'm not going to do that again. A belt sander made quick work of it as shown here. It was the phone number in back by the connectors that was a bitch. ;)

On the bright side, it held up very well while they were in use.
 
Jeff Kilgroe said:
HAHA... At least I pointed it out in advance. You're not the only one, I had two more just like it. Had to do one of them myself because the buyer for that one didn't want to mess with it. So no, I'm not going to do that again. A belt sander made quick work of it as shown here. It was the phone number in back by the connectors that was a bitch. ;)

On the bright side, it held up very well while they were in use.
Click to expand...

Oh no worries. Took us a couple minutes to take care of. No one ever noticed.
 
the logo on our bodies is High quality adhesive vinyl that is cut on a graphics plotter. The key here is the vinyl you choose - high contact, thin, glossy.
 
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