New Laser Method for Brick Engraving

The new laser-engraving techniques, developed by an Acme Brick Company engineer, make the entire brick-engraving process easier and more cost-efficient than older sandblasting techniques. Photo courtesy of BRICKMARKERS.COM

Acme Brick Company has found a way to utilize lasers for engraving brick. This newly patented method of brick engraving replaces the traditional sandblasting technique, which is the industry standard. Acme engineer, Mike Young, developed the new technique over a two-year period.

According to a report in Masonry Magazine, the laser process produces a highly detailed engraved brick with the depth and look of traditional engraved brick. Very detailed text and logos can be applied onto the brick using this laser process. The process applies very high heat onto the brick surface and changes the affected surface to a black, glass-like material. The laser is set on a pre-determined path using specific software that was developed for the application.

The new laser procedure has made the ordering process easy and cost-efficient too. All customers need do is use the new laser engraved brick order entry/production program. The information is automatically converted into a laser output file when requested by production personnel. This minimizes the labor needed to record the information that will be engraved on the brick and that means the entire process is done in a more timely manner. Customers are able to have their individual brick delivered much faster than with the older method. Also, with the sandblasting method, the only way to save money on orders was to engrave a large number of bricks at a time. With the laser procedures, engraved bricks are produced as they are ordered.

To learn more, visit www.acmebrick.com

ASCC To Host Concrete Seminar

Numerous commercial, institutional and municipal end users are choosing pervious concrete as an environmentally friendly alternative

A demonstration and seminar of pervious concrete pavement will be offered at the American Society of Concrete Contractor?EUR??,,????'???s Annual Conference, September 15-18, 2005 in Denver, Colo. The seminar will focus on pervious, or ?EUR??,,????'??no-fines,?EUR??,,????'?? concrete, which is like conventional concrete, in that it's made from a mixture of cement, coarse aggregates, and water. However, pervious concrete contains little or no sand, which results in a porous open-cell structure that water passes through readily. This type of concrete has been identified as an excellent choice for stormwater management.

Dan Huffman, a national account representative for the National Ready Mixed Concrete Association, will present the seminar. For more information, visit www.ascconline.org