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Engraving On Metal

Engraving On Metal: The Complete Guide

In this guide, you will find all information about engraving on metals.

It discusses, among other things, the benefits, techniques, applications, tools, and some common FAQs about the metal engraving process.

 

What Is Metal Engraving?

It refers to the process of cutting a series of lines into a metal surface to create an image, pattern, symbol, design, or artwork. This technique uses highly specialized tools and equipment depending on the simplicity or complexity of the design work.

Benefits Of Metal Engraving

Allows For Sharp Images
Allows For Sharp Images

The tools and techniques used in metal engraving are high-end and quite advanced. In essence, this allows you to get metal objects with relatively sharp finishes, which of course, is vital in enhancing product quality.

Offers Excellent Precision
Offers Excellent Precision

The advanced technology makes it possible to get accurately engraved objects, which are fundamental in determining the required aesthetic value.

Creates Permanent Mark
Creates Permanent Mark

Metal engraving allows you to create a permanent marking on the surface material of the object. In essence, it comes in handy in applications where permanent marks are a concern.

Allows For Customization
Allows For Customization

Generally, customization is essential when creating unique objects with details that match your requirements. Hence, metal engraving enables you to attain this, especially where the aesthetic purpose is the motivation.

High Versatility
High Versatility

It is a versatile technique allowing you to use it on a broad range of metal materials and still attain the best results possible.

Cost-efficiency
Cost-efficiency

The overall cost of conducting engraving on metal is relatively affordable and hence advantageous, especially in large-scale industrial production. You can amend the designs without necessarily impacting the production turnaround time negatively.

Retains Material Properties
Retains Material Properties

Ideally, engraving hardly diminishes the mechanical properties of the metal. As such, it retains its internal structure, ductility, and grain structure, which is imperative since it implies you will still attain the object’s efficiency in a specific application.

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Types Of Engraved Metals

Technically, metal is somewhat complex, reactive, conductive, and composed of different chemicals and alloys. Hence, you need to be particular when it comes to the exact type you engrave, depending on the method used. Simply put, you can engrave different types of metals, but they all guarantee different final finishes since they have varied material properties. The notable type of metals you can engrave include the following;

Types Of Engraved Metals
Engraving On Metal With Rotary Machine

Engraving On Metal With Rotary Machine

It entails rotating a cutting tool in a motorized spindle moving through a metal substrate to create a groove at a particular depth. Rotary machine provides a cutting depth with similar geometry and width as the cutter tip. You can perform metal rotary engraving using the cheapest pantographs and the most expensive complex programmed routings and engraving systems.

Even so, the principles remain the same with every rotary engraving machine. Primarily, in manual engraving using a rotary machine, the operator lowers the cutting tip into the metal’s surface. The operator then traces the letter master or copy type and reproduces the pattern, design, or image on the substrate. However, in computerized rotary engraving, the z-axis is regulated mechanically by the systems stepper motors while the x and y-axis form the characters.

Diamond Drag Engraving On Metal

This type of engraving method on metal utilizes a steel shank with a conical sharp diamond embedded in one end. Hence, the diamond point drags across the metal surface during engraving without necessarily rotating.

The first pass during diamond drag engraving on metal pushes some top material into the groove, whereas the second pass cleans it up. Diamond drag cutters used in engraving metals are available in three main angles as follows;

Pointed – It is at 90 degrees and often ideal on coated metal surfaces but not recommended for heavy or daily use.

Standard – This is a 120-degree cutter regarded as the industry’s workhorse hence suitable for medium-strength metal engraving.

Blunt – It is a 140-degree strong and wide cutter most suitable for engraving hard metals.

Diamond Drag Engraving On Metal

Laser Engraving On Metal Vs. Laser Marking

Laser Engraving On Metal Vs. Laser Marking
Laser Engraving On Metal Vs. Laser Marking

Often, laser engraving and laser marking on metals are used interchangeably, but they are a bit different in many aspects. Laser engraving refers to putting desired information onto the surface of the metal with evident penetration below the material. It uses a focused light beam to remove material from a metal workpiece to create desired text or image.

In contrast, laser marking is about placing legible information on the metal surface part but with relatively little or no penetration. In this case, the depth of the mark is the profound difference between these two metal fabricating processes.

Types Of Laser Engraving Methods On Metal

Laser engraving methods are available in three major types, which include the following;

Laser etching– It is designed to produce relatively shallow marks

Laser ablation – The essence is to produce marks by removing unwanted surface coatings.

Laser engraving – It creates deep marks that can endure exposure to harsh environmental and operational conditions.

Advantages Of Laser Engraving Over Laser Marking On Metal

Technically, metal laser engraving offers a broader range of depths from shallow to deep, depending o your preference. It also guarantees better durability since the marks are deep enough to withstand different harsh conditions. And importantly, laser engraving provides greater marking speed, thus an ideal option, especially for urgent orders.

Types Of Laser Marking Methods On Metal

The notable laser marking techniques often used on a wide range of metal surfaces include the following;

  • Coloring
  • Annealing
  • Carbon migration
  • Foaming

Benefits Of Metal Laser Marking Over Other Methods

It guarantees higher marking precision, making it easy to target specific areas on the metal workpiece. This process produces relatively less waste, given it does not involve the removal of material from the workpiece to form the desired marks. Also, it offers better compliance with a wide range of industry regulations due to the permanence and readability of laser-made markings that add vital information.

Metal Engraving Process

Metal Engraving Process
Metal Engraving Process

Different engraving processes on metals are performed differently since they require various tools and equipment. However, the notable processes are as follows;

Laser Metal Engraving

Laser engraving sublimates the metal surface to form deep crevices. Thus, it implies the surface instantly absorbs sufficient energy to change from solid to a gas without necessarily becoming liquid. The laser engraving system generates adequate energy to enable the metal surface to reach the vaporization temperature within milliseconds.

Metal is vaporized into fumes when they get to its respective temperature. The laser system is always equipped with a fume extraction unit that protects the work area and an air knife to protect the laser’s lens.

Mechanical Metal Engraving

This process involves using a cutting tool to remove the unwanted material from the metal surface during the engraving process. It is often integrated with a wide range of computerized computer programs to provide the best results possible. However, since the process entails the cutting tools coming into physical contact with the metal surface, thus degrades them ultimately. Hence, you’ll need to replace the cutting tools often, which makes this process relatively more costly than others.

Abrasive Blasting Metal Engraving

It is a relatively simple metal engraving process that entails forcing an abrasive material on the metal surface at extremely high pressure. This enables it to create a profound engraving effect more effectively than a wide range of other engraving processes. It is a manual process and requires caution when engraving using this method.

Computerized Metal Engraving

This is an engraving process that utilizes a selection of various elements, including different applications and font styles on metal. It is quite fast and cost-effective, thus suitable for engraving a large number of metal materials. Besides, the computerized metal engraving process allows you to attain highly durable, accurate, and clear engravings.

Metal Etching Vs. Engraving On Metal

Metal Etching Vs. Engraving On Metal
Metal Etching Vs. Engraving On Metal

Metal etching refers to a technique or process traditionally used to create different designs on metal surfaces.

Types Of Metal Etching

Chemical Metal Etching

The metal’s surface is often covered with a layer of wax before etching to enhance the protection of the surface. After drawing the design, the metal is dipped into an acid bath to allow it to eat away the metal, thus creating a beautiful design.

Laser Metal Etching

It uses a laser machine, emitting powerful light beams to create marks on metal surfaces by melting them. Essentially, the laser beam hits the metal surface, which in turn absorbs it, and its energy converts it into heat. The metal temperature increases hence melting and expanding the material surface. Laser metal etching is quite a versatile method that you can use on a wide range of metals.

However, the laser etch depth is never more than 0.001”, making it an ideal option for small projects like jewelry. Some notable advantages of metal etching include high extreme precision, versatility, material savings, high speed, cost-effectiveness, and repeatability. On the other hand, engraving on metal is a printmaking method that entails using a sharp and pointed cutting tool to create different designs, patterns, and shapes on metal surfaces.

The metal plate in engraving is inked and forced into grooved created by the cutting tool before the plate is pressed. Technically, the major similarity between metal engraving and etching is that they are both used in cutting lines into metals. However, the notable differences between this two metal fabricating methods include the following;

  • Etching is more suitable for small objects, but engraving best suits both small and large objects.
  • Engraving is more versatile since you can use it on many types of metal materials. Etching, on the other hand, only suits specific metallic materials.
  • Typically, metal etching needs less effort since the etcher draws the design through the wax. Engraving on metal, however, needs more physical effort since the tool must be used in cutting into the metal.

Applications Of Metal Engraving

Automotive Parts
Automotive Parts

Several metallic components used in vehicles are engraved with different details, logos, and patterns. It is essential, especially in creating the identity of such parts.

Advertising
Advertising

A lot of signage components use engraved metals to showcase or display a specific service, product, or brand to the potential clientele.

Medical Field
Medical Field

Several medical appliances are also engraved with different details, which enable them to acquire the ideal shape and design.

Electronic And Electricals
Electronic And Electricals

Most components used in electricals and electronics are usually engraved accordingly to include the relevant details.

Household Appliances
Household Appliances

Various appliances used in typical households are made of different engraved parts for unique identification.

Jewelry
Jewelry

Customizing jewelry to meet your specifications requires a high level of engraving hence a common element for aesthetics and uniqueness.

Metal Engraving Tool And Equipment

Gravers

These are sharp and precise tools made from top-quality steel, often shaped to particular angles and fitted to respective handles.

Rotary Tool
Rotary Tool

It is a power tool with a sharp and strong router bit designed to pierce through a metallic surface material.

Laser Cutter
Laser Cutter

This equipment uses laser beam technology to vaporize metallic material and create the desired design.

Engraving On Metal

People Also Ask:

Can You Engrave All Metals?

Yes.

Laser engravers allow you to engrave all types of metals and alloys easily and permanently.

Engrave All Metals

Which Kind Of Laser Engrave Is Suitable For Metal Engraving?

Fiber laser power

This type of laser engraver with at least 50 watts is recommended since it produces a highly focused light beam to engrave deep 3D engravings into metal surfaces.

 Laser Engrave

How Is Stainless Steel Engraved?

It is done using computerized stencils, which leave a permanent mark.

What Are The Different Types Of Metal Laser Engraving?
  • High-speed steel
  • Laserable carbide
  • Alloyed steel
  • Laserable aluminum
  • Stainless steel
  • Laserable brass
  • Coated metals
  • Precious metals
  • Hardened metals
  • Laserable copper
Between CO2 And Fiber Laser; Which One Is Suitable For Metal Engraving?

Fiber Laser.

It has a superior-power wavelength that penetrates bare metals better.

How Long Does Metal Laser Engraving Process Take?

1-3 working days.

Are There Limitations On Patterns You Can Engrave On Metals?

It depends on the type of engraving you are using on the metal.

Related Resources:

Laser Engraving

Engraving

Etching

For all your engraving on metal needs, contact KDMFAB now.

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