Laser Engraver for asset tag #

[sfederowicz]

Does anyone use a laser engraver for asset tagging their Chromebooks and other devices? What are you using and what do you like/dislike about it?

[SteveHarmon]

We looked into this, but then heard from some of the companies we sell old Chromebooks to that doing this lowers the buyback value (usually to almost nothing). As a result, we still use sticker tags for asset tagging.

[steve]

We use one. Some Chinese thing, the brand isn't marked. We think it's great that the students can't peel the asset number off! We haven't been doing the buy-back thing though, so can't speak to that. We strip our old units down for parts so none of it is worth much at the end anyway.

[sfederowicz]

We do the same thing, strip it down. Do you happen to have a link to the one you use? Were trying to figure out what we need.

[steve]

It's a MCWLaser 20 watt fiber. They don't make our exact model any more, but this is very similar... https://mcwlaser.com/products/mcwlaser-20w-30w-50w-raycus-fiber-laser-engraver-marking-machine-for-m...

[sfederowicz]

Thanks so much for sharing. I appreciate it.

[NielsBrockmeier]

We don't, we still have the antitheft stickers with our logo and we etch the asset tag in it with white or black etch. Takes slightly longer to apply but with students it at least stays on the device better than stickers.

We also don't do the buy-back thing, most is donated or transported to be recycled, so it doesn't impact us in that way.

[mcbride]

We have been using an Epilog Mini 40 watt engraver for years. We engrave our logo and district info. We still apply a metal-type asset tag in addition to the engraving. They aren't cheap, but we use it for lots of other things as well.

[bethhughes]

I do not use an engraver but use labels with a label cover. Interestingly enough, I have found if I place a clear label cover over the asset ID label, the students do not pick them off. 🤷‍♀️ During the Chromebook training, I pointedly tell them not to remove ANY labels and it is part of the Chromebook policy they and a parent sign. Of course, a lot of schools do the same thing and the students still pick them off but the clear label protector seems to be a forcefield shield for picking it off. 🤣

[sfederowicz]

We do the clear labels too but they pick EVERYTHING off, even the SN. Some of them are born pickers but others do it just to put their own stickers on. Or to not have ANY stickers on the CB. This mostly happens at the middle school level. OY!

[MattDPenn]

We have a cheapo laser cutter off of Amazon but it hasn't seen use for months as it was run by my ex-coworker. We did use it for engraving chromebooks for a year or two but prior we were shipping chromebooks out to be engraved anyway. This summer will probably be the first time we seriously look at buy back but realistically we probably wouldn't get much back since most of the chromebooks are past EOL irregardless. We already have a mound of chromebooks that we were using for spare parts as well so really buy back is more about getting free disposal.

Anyway one of the reasons we haven't run the laser cutter since is we don't actually have a proper venting system for it. Before my coworker got away with it, at my objection, by opening a door and running a box fan but some recent remodeling has made that not viable and it was sketchy solution anyway. You'd probably want to look into what your local area/school regs require for ventilation (filtering?) and power. To do this properly will be expensive and it may just be better to out-source any engraving needs. I believe some white glove services include engraving as an option now.