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ALE systems for embossing roller production produce full size or
tooling size rollers using various methods:
- Co2 and/or fibre lasers can be used to engrave
into hard polymeric materials, so as to produce full size tooling
rollers. These rollers often have their engraved pattern transferred
into steel via a wax and acid transfer process.
- Q-Switched YAG/fibre lasers are able to produce
three-dimensional surfaces into hard materials, (metals and ceramics).
When engraving hard materials, the rate of material removal is slower
than that of polymeric materials. In order to cut into hard materials,
often a layered or laminar technique is used.
- A laminar approach is also used when using photo
etching as the means to remove material. An etch resistant mask can be
engraved away by a laser, thus facilitating the etching process.
Multiple etches are used in order to provide different depths in the
engraved roll. ALE laminar software can be used to layer the
individual etches required.
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