I would like to use Ultrasonic cutting for Kaak, a snack stick that's usually very hard to break into smaller pieces in a uniform manner. I would also like to etch words on kaak using a laser printer. Just like the Yan Yan, Japanese snack, has messaging on each of its sticks.
https://www.foodstufffinds.co.uk/2012/05/yan-yan-creamy-strawberry-meiji-by.html
How would etching and cutting 3D designs look like?
For the first experiment I wanted to etch on food. So I ended up using Kaak, Lebanese bread sticks, which are enjoyed at any time of the day with dips or drinks. The relation between etching on such a substance, baked hard dough, is similar to etching on a hard surface with the exception of having a more sensitive material to work with. The machine could have been more accurate as it is not very easy etching on kaak, using the right temperature and force. Just as used on Yan Yan sticks, etched by heat machines, it is possible to etch on Kaak.
For the laser cutting, I used vinyl which is quite standard for the type of material to cut, etch, and engrave on. I liked how laser cutting is very accurate and how vinyl as a material holds during this process. The clean cut edges and etches couldn't be as neater if done with hand.
Etching on food isn't a new creation, yet working with different types of foods and ones that are more challenging is the quest to innovate for this process.
In the case of my project, the material that is etched away is somehow invisible. For the food it's burnt and for the vinyl it is very little.
The etching and engraving by hand industry has always been and will stay a craft. One that is valued and could not be replaced for certain types of objects. As for the machinery cutting, etching, and engraving it's become the mainstream for production at scale and for producing more accurate outcome. The hand touch and finishing is recognizable and could be differentiated from machine ones because of its style and hand work effect.