All the basics and beyond about engraving

What is engraving?

It’s the process of etching a design on a specific surface most commonly metal, stone, wood, or glass. The craftsman first draws the sketch and then proceeds to outline the cuts on the design as well as engraving with various tools and machines.

Every piece of jewelry or treasured keepsake must go through some form of polishing prior to giving it a final finish. Such works require intricate and precise work on small details which in the final look becomes the surface glare. In such products remaining is often glaring and frivolous eruptions, washing out the design that cannot be covered. Spoiler: the methods of engraving and marking of laser machines are different.

Different types of engraving.

The equipment known as CNC mills and laser cutters allows its operators to deal with everything from design preparation to small details.

A great deal of interest is shown in engraving with a milling machine. This is an execution of a three-dimensional image from a pre-done blank. The Master’s activity consists of modeling a future piece and cutting out required parameters for a machine model from the material.

The versatility of engraving, especially with milling, distinguishes it from other methods of processing. Almost any material may serve as the product blank: metal, plastic, stone, glass, etc. The operator’s skill level does not matter: working with a milling machine is simple and accessible for a beginner as well as for a seasoned professional.

However, engraving small designs is not practical because of the high risk of damaging the work piece as well as cutter breakage. The opposite is true for processing intricate shapes, which is virtually impossible due to the need for flat featureless surfaces. The noise from spindle contact with the work piece can reach 120 dB. The nozzles also heat up, requiring the inclusion of a cooling system.

Craftsmen engage in laser engraving on awards for plaques, etching bar codes and QR codes on machine parts, electronics, and even medical equipment.

Each laser can only be focused on a single point due to the optical system. The focus strikes the material, generating enough power to incinerate or evaporate the surface fibers. Its movement creates depressions and these together constitute the pattern.

The engraving’s quality is precise due to the laser providing accuracy, and there is very little risk to the material getting deformed.

The power and speed of the laser will determine how much engraving is done. The user does not need to change the attachments manually because the laser will take care of that and everything else.

Disadvantage –

The machine that one chooses must suit the material that will be worked on. Different machines use different types of lasers and each one works at a different wavelength; not all materials of all wavelengths are processed easily.

Marking is different from engraving with every type of work bearing its unique specialization. Marking is the changing a material takes by the heat with the added work while engraving is losing part of the material as a consequence of the process itself.

In further detail, engraving is where the laser will go deeper underneath the surface and remove the upper layers through sublimation.

Additional note on engraving and marking materials:

Almost all the metals can be worked on using a milling cutter machine;

• Aluminum
• Steel
• Brass
• Titanium

Although, a CNC router is capable of marking nonmetals too such as:

• Wood (hardwood, softwood and plywood)
• Foam plastic
• Acrylic, polypropylene and poly-carbonates plastics.

Laser machines are classified into two categories. Fiber optic machines are more efficient in cutting and engraving metals and alloys such as:

• steel
• aluminum
• brass
• copper, etc

CO2 machines are fit for engraving and cutting non metallic materials which include:

• wood and plywood
• plastic
• papers
• acrylic
• flex-glass
• leather and leatherette
• monolithic poly-carbonate, etc

What items are most frequently engraved? Craftsmen engrave items for decorative and practical purposes. There are many products which undergo engraving. The most common works done to products are:

• Parts engraving. Engraving marks serial number, bar code and logo identification on metal or plastic items. Information is usually for identification, quality control or safety.
• Marking of devices. Engraving is also used for scales, buttons, switches or any other controlling part on devices such as measuring devices, medical instruments and electronic devices.
• Engraving on souvenirs. It’s necessary to embellish various products such as key chains, pendants, lighters, pens, flash drives etc. One or more of a name, date, greeting or messages are requested by customers as texts or pictures.
• Engraving on gifts. They personalize and make items more memorable. Items such as watches, pendants, rings, glasses or wooden items can be engraved. Drawings depicts love, respect, gratitude or any sentiment.
• Decor engraving. The ornament may also serve as an element of the interior as well. For instance, mirrors and glass may be engraven, as well as stones, leather or even fabric. Many patterns or pictures which adorn homes and apartments can be quite beautiful.

Conclusion

In our collection of laser cutting layouts, there is marking and engraving which several customers consider to be original and creative. We wish that this article will assist you in making the right choice for your project or gift. Engraving is a technology and art at the same time and it needs a lot of creativity.