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Geek Culture / Computer case etching

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Raven
19
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Joined: 23rd Mar 2005
Location: Hertfordshire, England
Posted: 10th Nov 2006 11:55
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I'm wondering but does anyone know about a good, reputable company who laser etch designed in to computer cases? Preferable one that's based in the UK

Intel Core 2 Duo E6400, 512MB DDR2 667MHz, ATi Radeon X1900 XT 256MB PCI-E, Windows Vista Business / XP Professional SP2
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indi
22
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Joined: 26th Aug 2002
Location: Earth, Brisbane, Australia
Posted: 10th Nov 2006 12:03
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perhaps you might check the yellow pages and compare prices.

you could also get a drill and metal nibbler if you want a cut out shape within the cases body.

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Manic
22
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Joined: 27th Aug 2002
Location: Completely off my face...
Posted: 10th Nov 2006 12:07
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well, i'd say you don't need to be so specific, i'm sure they'll etch anything. Also, i would have thought due to the set up costs of buying an etching laser, there wouldn't be too many two bit rip off merchants.


but anyway, a couple of years ago someone i know had 3 big sheets of 1cm thick steel cut out by laser for an art project, by a company in nottingham. I'll ask him for you when i see him.

I don't have a sig, live with it.
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Van B
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Joined: 8th Oct 2002
Location: Sunnyvale
Posted: 10th Nov 2006 13:32
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I think most companies would disregard a job like that, it's not the sort of thing they'd want to do, because the setup and running costs could not be dumped on you without you deciding against it. Really you'd need to get at least 20 PC cases etched. Perhaps it would be better to just get some sheet aluminium etched, then fit them yourself to the case, maybe cut a hole with a kit, then stick the etched plate inside that.

Laser etching is not too expensive when your getting a lot of parts made, but the high setup costs kick individual jobs into touch.

I think you'd save yourself a lot of headaches by getting a glass window kit for your PC and having that etched instead, by a jewler or whatever, it would be doable, and a fine idea if your logo can fit inside a circle. Maybe some sandblasting to give a frosted logo on the glass/plastic - with case lighting it would look pretty cool.

''Stick that in your text and scroll it!.''
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Kenjar
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Location: TGC
Posted: 10th Nov 2006 13:41 Edited at: 10th Nov 2006 13:44
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why laser? Hire out a man and a milling machine. Heck if you have an engineering collage near by then there's almost certainly a competant student who'd do it for peanuts, a beer, and perhaps a date with your sister! Milling isn't very hard, espically if the collage has an automated machine. A bit of hex programming, and off you go!

I lay upon my bed one bright clear night, and gazed upon the distant stars far above, then I thought... where the hell is my roof?
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Raven
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Joined: 23rd Mar 2005
Location: Hertfordshire, England
Posted: 10th Nov 2006 14:08
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Alright, here's what I want to get done.
Not sure if anyone remembers the case an art student did, where he laser etched the design of nvidia's Lua character on the side.
When switched off the case looked normal, but when turned on the lighting from inside lit up the case and you saw a full colour design on the case cover that look truely beautiful.

I'm getting my lass an xbox360 for christmas, already sent an email to microsoft asking for help on some of the customisation as not to void the warrenty; but want to find out a possible place I could get the case customised in this mannor, especially given the new metallic case itself needs to be fabricated anyway. Not a big problem as I know of quite a few companies that can do that, but don't know of any that do the whole side panel etching.

Quote: "why laser? Hire out a man and a milling machine. Heck if you have an engineering collage near by then there's almost certainly a competant student who'd do it for peanuts, a beer, and perhaps a date with your sister"


They'd have to get through her husband first

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Phaelax
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Joined: 16th Apr 2003
Location: Metropia
Posted: 10th Nov 2006 21:21
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I remember seeing someone etch a lemar onto a powerbook. It was quite neat, although with a laptop he had to place the whole machine inside the laser etcher and I wouldn't have the balls to shoot a laser onto an non-empty case.

Share pics if you get this done.

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Raven
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Joined: 23rd Mar 2005
Location: Hertfordshire, England
Posted: 11th Nov 2006 03:57
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Yeah, doubt I'd trust a laser near the case itself.
If I can't find some way to do the etching in-time for christmas I'll just do the artwork on the case myself in a more traditional method.

Definately show off some pictures of the end-result.

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