Forming a textured pattern using a laser

Abstract

Systems and methods for producing a textured pattern on a surface of a part using a laser. The part or laser may be rotated while forming the textured pattern to create a continuous textured pattern on a surface of a part. The continuous textured pattern may be substantially uniform over the entire pattern. A laser texturing system may also include an optical scanner. A first region of the surface of the part may be scanned using a first laser beam. One or more laser texturing parameters or a simulated geometric model may be created based on the scan of the first region. The textured pattern may be formed on the first region using a second laser beam. The textured pattern may be formed in accordance with the one or more laser texturing parameters or simulated geometric model.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An enclosure for a portable electronic device, the enclosure comprising:
 a metal substrate including an external surface that includes:
 a first contoured region having a first textured pattern of recesses, wherein the recesses of the first textured pattern are oriented at an angle relative to a first surface normal of the first contoured region; and 
 a second contoured region adjoining the first contoured region and having a second textured pattern of recesses, wherein the recesses of the second textured pattern are oriented at the angle relative to a second surface normal of the second contoured region. 
   
     
     
         2 . The enclosure of  claim 1 , wherein the first textured pattern of recesses has an amount of light reflectivity when visible light is incident upon the first contoured region, and the second textured pattern of recesses has the amount of light reflectivity when the visible light is incident upon the second contoured region. 
     
     
         3 . The enclosure of  claim 1 , wherein the recesses of the first textured pattern extend into the metal substrate to a depth from the external surface, and the recesses of the second textured pattern extend from the external surface and into the metal substrate at the depth. 
     
     
         4 . The enclosure of  claim 1 , wherein the external surface has an appearance of a continuous textured pattern. 
     
     
         5 . The enclosure of  claim 1 , wherein the first contoured region has a first surface curvature, and the second contoured region has a second surface curvature different than the first surface curvature. 
     
     
         6 . The enclosure of  claim 1 , wherein the first contoured region is separated from the second contoured region by a transition region, and a textured pattern of recesses is formed on the transition region. 
     
     
         7 . The enclosure of  claim 1 , wherein there is an absence of a seam between the first and second textured pattern of recesses. 
     
     
         8 . An enclosure for a portable electronic device, the enclosure comprising:
 a metal substrate including an external surface having a curved geometry and including:
 a first contoured surface having a first surface curvature and a first textured pattern of recesses formed thereon, wherein the recesses of the first textured pattern extend into the metal substrate at a depth from the external surface; and 
 a second contoured surface having (i) a second surface curvature different than the first surface curvature, and (ii) a second textured pattern of recesses formed thereon, wherein the recesses of the second textured pattern extend into the metal substrate at the depth from the external surface. 
   
     
     
         9 . The enclosure of  claim 8 , wherein the first and second contoured surfaces are separated by a transition zone. 
     
     
         10 . The enclosure of  claim 9 , wherein a transition pattern of recesses is formed on the transition zone and the recesses of the transition pattern extends into the metal substrate at the depth from the external surface. 
     
     
         11 . The enclosure of  claim 9 , wherein there is an absence of a seam between the first and second textured pattern of recesses. 
     
     
         12 . The enclosure of  claim 8 , wherein the first textured pattern of recesses has an amount of light reflectivity when visible light is incident upon the first contoured surface, and the second textured pattern of recesses has the amount of light reflectivity when the visible light is incident upon the second contoured surface. 
     
     
         13 . The enclosure of  claim 8 , wherein the first contoured surface has a first height, and the second contoured surface has a second height different than the first height. 
     
     
         14 . The enclosure of  claim 8 , wherein the first textured pattern of recesses has an amount of specular properties when visible light is incident upon the first contoured surface, and the second textured pattern of recesses has the amount of specular properties when the visible light is incident upon the second contoured surface. 
     
     
         15 . A portable electronic device comprising:
 a metal enclosure having an external surface that includes a first contoured region separated from a second contoured region, wherein the external surface includes:
 a first textured pattern disposed on the first contoured region, wherein the first textured pattern has an amount of light reflectivity when visible light is incident upon the first contoured region; and 
 a second textured pattern disposed on the second contoured region, wherein the second textured pattern has the amount of light reflectivity when the visible light is incident upon the second contoured region. 
   
     
     
         16 . The portable electronic device of  claim 15 , wherein the first contoured region has a first curvature, and the second contoured region has a second curvature different than the first curvature. 
     
     
         17 . The portable electronic device of  claim 16 , wherein the first contoured region has a first shape, and the second contoured region has a second shape different than the first shape. 
     
     
         18 . The portable electronic device of  claim 15 , wherein the first contoured region is separated from the second contoured region by a transition zone, and a transition textured pattern is disposed on the transition zone. 
     
     
         19 . The portable electronic device of  claim 18 , wherein the transition textured pattern has the amount of light reflectivity when the visible light is incident upon the transition zone. 
     
     
         20 . The portable electronic device of  claim 15 , wherein the first and second textured patterns correspond to recesses formed in the external surface.