RSSHow it's made - Laser etching Powerbooks
Last weekend we laser etched 3 more Powerbooks. We etched two 15" Powerbooks and a 12" - this time we etched a very cool bunny infused Tsunami, a NeXT logo as well as a subtle and elegant plum blossom. If you've wondered about the process, tools or just how laser etching looks - I put together some of the photos, links and files. Enjoy!
Saul has a new Instructables up on the laser etching process, be sure to check that out too.
We're using an Epilog laser mini for the cutting and Corel Draw as the design application.
We made a wooden border to better line up the various Powerbooks. The wood was also cut with the laser cutter.
Here's the Powerbook placed in the laser bay.
Here's the image we decided on in Corel Draw. We needed to extend the image out a bit to make it wrap around the Powerbook's Apple logo. The laser cutter uses black and white images.
We made a little Apple logo to test where it might end up.
You can download the templates from Instructables.
The artwork is from Kozyndan. Blog. It's much like the Japanese print you see a lot, but waves are actually little rabbits. Here is the original.
Title: Uprisings
Media:mixed media
What: We were honored to be asked to do the cover and be featured in issue 28 of Giant Robot Magazine. We only had a few days to take the piece from concept to completion, and still ended up being one of our best. It is an homage of sorts to Hokusai with our own furry twist.
We tested the image out on paper first.
Almost a perfect fit, need to adjust it by a few centimeters.
The logo left behind from the laser cut.
The Powerbook about to be etched.
The bright white line is the camera capturing the laser beam cutting in to the Powerbook.
10 minutes later, it is complete. From one angle the waves glow white, from another it's dark.
Another view.
Paper and metal.
Another view.
Next up, an elegant plum blossom.
I really like it, it looks like it belongs.
Another victim, this time we're trying out a NeXT logo. This is the largest amount of solid cutting we've tried on a Powerbook.
NeXT logo in Corel.
Etched!
Another view!
The first four Powerbooks we etched.
See our previous post about the first one we did.
Another view.
Posted by Phillip Torrone |
Dec 6, 2005 01:26 PM
Arts, Computers, DIY Projects |
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| Comments (19)
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Comments
Oldest comments listed first.
Nice choice of print - If anyone is in the UK and is looking for a signed copy, then there are some available at Analogue Books in Edinburgh...
PB Laser etching is available in Manhattan.
I know of a company in Los Angeles that is starting out. They only do orders of about 75+ items. They do real nice work on iPods and Powerbooks and all kinds of material. I saw it in action and I am really impressed with what those machines can do and what they can work with. Let me know if you want more information about the one in LA.
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