Introducing Aluminex!
Engraving
Video Description:
In this episode of Material Mondays, Luke from O’Brien Engineering introduces Aluminex – a groundbreaking new material that solves a long-standing challenge in the engraving world.
This video is all about Aluminex, an exterior-grade aluminium that engraves to black without the need for sprays or pastes. Designed for use with both CO₂ and fibre lasers, it’s perfect for outdoor applications and delivers high-contrast, professional results. Luke walks through the key benefits, testing results, and why this product is such a big deal for the engraving industry.
Video Transcript:
Hi, I’m Luke from O’Brien Engineering. Welcome to Material Mondays, where we focus on one of our specific materials from our extensive range.
Today, I’m really excited to introduce a brand new product called Aluminex. Aluminex is exciting for one main reason: it’s an exterior-grade aluminium that engraves to black.
For years, people have asked us, “Have you got an aluminium that’ll engrave to black and can be used outdoors?” Traditionally, we’ve only had products designed for interior use, like our Laser-It Silver and the AlumaMark. A lot of anodised aluminiums will engrave to white, but this is a first of its kind — designed for outdoor use, and designed to be direct marked with a CO₂ laser without the need for pastes or sprays. That means you get a beautiful black engraving on aluminium.
It was developed in response to feedback from the market — from customers like yourselves, who’ve been so keen for a product like this. You can CO₂ or fibre mark it. We’ve done vigorous testing in-house and got great results with both methods.
A lot of our testing has focused on how to get the best mark, with the best engraving, to ensure you get that crisp contrast from silver to black that everyone’s after.
Here we have the new Aluminex: 1mm exterior-grade aluminium. This sample has been directly fibre marked, without the need for any paste or thermal marking spray. We’ve got this product outside, testing how long it really lasts in Australian conditions.
Compared to other silvers, one of the benefits of this product is its more matte finish — which means less reflection and better contrast.
The reason we’re still exploring products like this at O’Brien is because of our passion for the trophy engraving industry. It’s where we’ve come from. Since 1963, we’ve been one of the leading suppliers to the industry, and we’re continuing to develop and source new products to support it.
We’re really keen to hear your feedback and learn more about the applications this material could be used for — and where it can deliver amazing results.
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