Engraving Slate using the xTool D1 10w Laser

 I used one slate to run two different power tests on a test tile.  One on each side.  

From a tile burn Grid

This one really helped me understand the range of marks we can make on a slate.  The following is the grid out of LightBurn and it was not as much help:

There is quite a range of marking you can do.  I feel that it will allow some interesting effects.  I only needed one "tone for the project I am doing."   I did one test slate at 2000mm/min and 40% power for my 10W laser.  The design did not look right, so I changed the design slightly, and here is the finished project.

Finished Slate Coaster

Added Logo on the bottom

I changed the speed to 1800mm/min and 40% power for the final project.  It slightly deepened the engrave.  The slate's top took about 16 minutes, and the bottom logo took 2 minutes.

The setup is straightforward.  In Lightburn, I created two concentric square boxes on one layer that I do not burn.  These are for reference and alignment.  One is at 100mm for the outside edges of the slate, and one is 90 mm for the central flat area.  

The text is in Helvetica for this gift project, and the design was found on the internet.  My logo was built with Adobe Express.  

My laser is locked down to the spoil board, and I have engraved a grid there for reference.  Using unfinished 123 blocks, I align the tile with the grid.  Here is a picture of setting up for engraving ceramic tiles where I also use a metal plate under the tile for a bit of trick I will talk about in another post.  The metal plate protects the spoil board from overburning.  

Align tile to be engraved

Align Laser to the tile

Note that I wipe down the slate to make sure it is clean before I engrave it.

RJF