Honor 8 Laser Engraving - Back Glass Customization (Pictures included)

[lumivalo]

With a 60W CO2 laser cutter/engraver (in my school's MakerLab), I have engraved the back glass of my Honor 8 with my name:



Also, I have engraved my silicone case with a similar engraving:



I used Adobe Illustrator for the fonts/logos, and the proprietary laser engraver software for rendering.

Thoughts? Questions? Comment below!

-lumivalo

 

[Golfdriver97]

The laser etching is a pretty good idea. I am curious if anyone has thought of using a glass etching applique in the same manner?

 

[lumivalo]

It's possible, but I prefer laser etching for speed.

 

[dpham00]

That looks pretty sweet! Very nice customization. I think that it would look sweeter with a clear case, IMO. That would really show off the etching on the back of the phone which to me is more unique than a case etching.

 

[lumivalo]

I agree - but I think I've had my fill of clear cases for this phone being unprotective and flimsy - especially when I want this phone to last for a while as my daily driver.

 

[dpham00]

I agree - but I think I've had my fill of clear cases for this phone being unprotective and flimsy - especially when I want this phone to last for a while as my daily driver.

There are protective clear or at least translucent back case manufacturers, but not sure if they make them for the honor 8. That's a downside of a phone that isn't popular in the USA.... Usa case manufacturers aren't likely to make stuff for them. Things are probably too late for the honor 8 , But hopefully things will change with the honor 9.

 

[Dconn1975]

Very cool. You did that? You have the equipment to etch all that out? Dang how much do you charge? I'll want to send you some of my stuff now if you can do that

 

[dpham00]

Very cool. You did that? You have the equipment to etch all that out? Dang how much do you charge? I'll want to send you some of my stuff now if you can do that

Yes this was done at the equipment from school. One of the perks of going to school i guess.

 

[Dconn1975]

Dang! You are lucky to have access to that equipment man. Good job. I dig it.

 

[Golfdriver97]

It's possible, but I prefer laser etching for speed.

I brought up glass etching acid due to it's more widely available and cheaper than a laser etcher.

 

[dpham00]

I brought up glass etching acid due to it's more widely available and cheaper than a laser etcher.

Have you ever done etching acid? How difficult is it to make something that looks good?

 

[Golfdriver97]

Have you ever done etching acid? How difficult is it to make something that looks good?

I did it in grade school shop class. There we had a choice of a template that had the acid already on it. You applied it like a temporary tattoo and let it sit for a while ( honestly can't remember how long). The other choice was we could take a clear sheet of heavy plastic, cut our own design and we could spread a small amount of a jelly like acid.

I remember it was thick like jam or creamy PB, and it was somewhat translucent.

 

[dpham00]

I did it in grade school shop class. There we had a choice of a template that had the acid already on it. You applied it like a temporary tattoo and let it sit for a while ( honestly can't remember how long). The other choice was we could take a clear sheet of heavy plastic, cut our own design and we could spread a small amount of a jelly like acid.

I remember it was thick like jam or creamy PB, and it was somewhat translucent.

Seems like the hardest part is the template... To get what you want. Then just slap on the acid gel?

 

[Golfdriver97]

Seems like the hardest part is the template... To get what you want. Then just slap on the acid gel?

The template...like the temp tattoos already had the acid applied. Think more like a sticker where the adhesive side is the acid.

The free form template might be a bit more difficult depending on your artistic capability. Where mine is like...none..lol

Edit: but as I recall, it is just cut your design and apply the acid.

 

[dpham00]

The template...like the temp tattoos already had the acid applied. Think more like a sticker where the adhesive side is the acid.

The free form template might be a bit more difficult depending on your artistic capability. Where mine is like...none..lol

Edit: but as I recall, it is just cut your design and apply the acid.

I wonder if you can get some place to do the template for you, for those of us who don't have a lot of artistic capability. Sounds like the application part is simple enough.

 

[lumivalo]

There are protective clear or at least translucent back case manufacturers, but not sure if they make them for the honor 8. That's a downside of a phone that isn't popular in the USA.... Usa case manufacturers aren't likely to make stuff for them. Things are probably too late for the honor 8 , But hopefully things will change with the honor 9.

Agreed.

 

[lumivalo]

Very cool. You did that? You have the equipment to etch all that out? Dang how much do you charge? I'll want to send you some of my stuff now if you can do that

My school has a MakerLab with all the equipment and tools (we've also got stuff like 3D printers). I'd be pretty open to engraving stuff for you as long as it's non-metal (most metals don't engrave well). Feel free to PM me if you're interested ^_^

 

[lumivalo]

I brought up glass etching acid due to it's more widely available and cheaper than a laser etcher.

Definitely, you're right on that. It can be difficult to get the stencil right, though.

 

[Golfdriver97]

Definitely, you're right on that. It can be difficult to get the stencil right, though.

Fair point. Sorry for somewhat hijacking your thread.

 

[lumivalo]

Fair point. Sorry for somewhat hijacking your thread.

Lol, no worries. I really enjoy the tangents that these threads tend to go on.