Etching and Engraving Equipment Basics

Using etching and engraving equipment in your business

Several different industries may find they need etching and engraving equipment. Home improvement businesses may use engraving equipment to create stylistic patterns on wood finishing surfaces and glass. Jewelers may use metal engraving machines to record names, dates or other personal information on rings, necklaces and stones. Trophy makers use etching and engraving equipment to mark metal, glass and other surfaces for trophies, plaques and other awards.

Investigate the etching and engraving equipment basics to ensure you select the right type of tool. Some etching and engraving equipment can serve as all-purpose tools. Other types of etching and engraving equipment works best on a specific medium. Know the product you intend to produce before selecting your tools.

1. Check out laser etching and engraving equipment for efficiency and precision

2. Look for computerized engraving machines for fast and repeatable detail work

3. Identify etching and engraving equipment used on specific mediums.

 

Investigate the advantages of laser etching and engraving equipment

Laser engraving equipment uses a beam of light as the engraving tool, so your engraving media does not get scratched or marred. Laser etching tools can engrave or etch very detailed lines and drawings. Laser etching equipment can complete a project very quickly, saving time and money.
Try: Epilog Laser manufacturers a line of laser engraving equipment for wood, plastic, glass and even fabric . Each Epilog laser differs in the maximum size of the item to be engraved. Laser Photonics makes several laser marking products, from a hand-held unit to large industrial-sized machines. Such a laser etching machine can mark bar-codes, labeling, serial numbers, logos and other marks to a variety of metallic and non-metallic surfaces.

Identify general purpose etching and engraving equipment

Several manufacturers produce a number of etching and engraving machines that serve multiple purposes. These machines vary in size, level of training needed, and type of material etched or engraved. Most general purpose machines handle glass, wood, metal, acrylic and other surfaces.
Try: GRS Tools manufactures a line of engraving machinery used in engraving, stone setting, wood carving, jewelry making and sculpture. The company also manufactures specialty tools, supplies and replacement parts for its equipment. Chemcut uses a chemical process in the design of its etching machinery. Create printed circuit boards, solar cells and other precision work with this type of etching equipment.

Decide if computerized etching and engraving equipment may provide advantages

If you anticipate engraving the same design over and over, computerized etching and engraving equipment may offer you the best choice. You can store your design in a computerized system without having start from the beginning each time. Computerized engraving machines also require little hands on use, lessening your chance of injury.
Try: Gravograph produces a variety of computerized etching and engraving equipment, and their commercial engraving equipment can engrave trophies and plaques for the award industry. Other machines engrave small objects such as badges. They also carry glass engraving equipment. A chart on the website helps you select the correct type of machine for your application. Vision Engraving and Routing Systems makes the Max Pro engraver, a computerized system that operates using several software packages. This system includes special holding fixtures for small engraving projects.

 

• When searching for engraving and etching equipment, check available accessories for the machines. Some machines have attachments, fixtures and other hardware that allow more flexibility in etching and engraving surfaces. For example, some machines have an attachment for engraving rings. Others have special vises to hold small items such as pens or medallions. Other fixtures grip round items. These options will provide more versatility for your business.

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