What are the methods of metal engraving?
There are several types of engraving on metal. Let’s look at each of them.
1: Manual cutting
This method consists in applying an image to the surface of an object using a cutting steel tool. This creates lines and indentation points on the material. In other words, hand cutting is called artistic engraving. This is a very long and laborious process. But there are faster ways to engrave.
2: Sandblasting
Its essence lies in the fact that the surface of the material is damaged by sand or other powdery substance, which is sprayed with a strong airflow. When sand hits the surface of the metal, the matting is formed. The graininess of the sand allows you to create various effects and apply patterns using a stencil. The advantages of sandblasting are its versatility, high speed, and smooth engraving edges.
3: Mechanical engraving
It is carried out with a sharpened cutter. There are two types of mechanical engraving equipment – pantograph and computerized. Jewelry and family decorations are engraved on the pantograph. A computerized method can engrave any metal product.
Mechanically, you can create three-dimensional images, but the downside is low performance.
4: Laser sublimation
This is the application of color images using a printer or sublimation cartridge. First, you need to make a transfer – print an image that is placed on top of the product. And when exposed to high temperatures, the paint passes to the material, leaving an image on it.
Laser sublimation is used to engrave many metal products – bracelets, pendants, watches, and coasters.
5: Laser Engraving
Laser Engraving
This is the most common metal engraving method. The pattern is applied to the product using a focused laser beam. Engraving occurs due to the evaporation of material particles.
Unlike other methods, laser engraving can be done on an industrial scale due to its high speed.
There are several types of laser engraving equipment, but we will talk about this later.
Why is laser engraving better?
- High precision and image detail.
- Aesthetics of the drawing.
- Durability. An engraving made in a different way is erased over time.
- No risk of object deformation.
- The ability to fulfill mass orders, thanks to production automation.
- Versatility, because the laser method can engrave not only metal.
How is raster engraving different from contour engraving?
Contour engraving is suitable for applying printed text and numbers to products at high speed.
The speed of raster engraving is lower, but it gives a better picture when applying images.
How to make color engraving?
Color engraving has a more complex technological process and is only possible on metals prone to oxidation, such as
- titanium,
- stainless steel,
- zirconium,
- aluminum,
- nickel,
- brass,
- silver.
The color appears as a result of tint, which occurs due to the interference of light in the oxide film. Color hue and saturation depend on several factors:
- the duration of exposure to the laser beam,
- metal thickness,
- thermophysical parameters of the material,
- radiation power,
- the thickness of the oxide film.
For example, on a titanium plate with a pulse duration of 80 nanoseconds, a beam speed of 24 mm/s, a pulse frequency of 95–100 kHz, and a radiation power of 4.5 W, a purple engraving was obtained.
How to make color engraving?
Color engraving has a more complex technological process and is only possible on metals prone to oxidation, such as
- titanium,
- stainless steel,
- zirconium,
- aluminum,
- nickel,
- brass,
- silver.
The color appears as a result of tint, which occurs due to the interference of light in the oxide film. Color hue and saturation depend on several factors:
- the duration of exposure to the laser beam,
- metal thickness,
- thermophysical parameters of the material,
- radiation power,
- the thickness of the oxide film.
For example, on a titanium plate with a pulse duration of 80 nanoseconds, a beam speed of 24 mm/s, a pulse frequency of 95–100 kHz, and a radiation power of 4.5 W, a purple engraving was obtained.
Overview of metal laser engraving equipment
Laser engraving is possible either with a fiber optic marker or a CO2 engraver. Let’s look at each of these methods.
Fiber optic marker
The laser marker is considered to be universal equipment for engraving and marking metal.
It has several advantages over other methods:
- No consumables.
- High quality.
- Simplicity in management.
- Small power consumption.
- High speed.
- No special knowledge is required for setup.
- Non-contact engraving on the product.
- Possibility of installation of the rotary device.
- Small dimensions.
- No heat treatment in the cut zone.
- You can engrave different materials.
What items can be engraved?
On a laser marker, you can engrave both pieces products and use them for serial production. We list the main ones:
- decorations,
- barcodes,
- drawing logos,
- serial numbers,
- shields,
- souvenir branding,
- tablets,
- business cards and more.
What industries use fiber markers?
- advertising,
- jewelry production,
- the medicine,
- defense production,
- dentistry,
- trade,
- shipbuilding,
- Automotive industry,
- tool production,
- Electrical engineering production.
Can you engrave it at home?
If we are talking about mechanical or manual engraving, then, of course, yes. It is enough to purchase only cutters and a drill.
Engraving At Home Machine
But if you are planning to engage in laser engraving, then it is worth considering that the equipment for it is much more expensive, so it will pay off only if the craft becomes your business. Of course, for mass production, it is better to allocate a special room, at least for security purposes. Indeed, to work on laser equipment, voltage stabilization and grounding are required.
But we have a few customers who use fiber markers at home for small production. For this, desktop markers with small dimensions are suitable.
Engraving examples
Engraving on different objects has its own characteristics. Let’s look at some product examples.
Engraving on wedding rings
Usually, words and inscriptions are engraved on them, but they must be easily readable. But for this, you need a suitable size for the product, because such an inscription will not work on a too-narrow ring.
At the same time, engraving can be applied to any metal – gold, silver, platinum, or titanium.
But we recommend using soft metal, as the letters will be better read on it.
Engraving can be applied to the front, the inner side of the ring and its side faces.
Production engraving
Usually, it is used in the manufacture of nameplates, plates, serial numbers, numbers, and many other products.
Consider the example of shields and plates. For their production, as a rule, brass or aluminum is used. In the first case, they have a golden hue, and in the second – silver. Both materials can be laser engraved.
But most importantly, do not forget that in the production of industrial nameplates, you must comply with the requirements established by law. With the help of marking, information about the product and the manufacturer is applied to the nameplate.
It includes the technical characteristics of the device, information about the manufacturer, Rostest data, the serial number of the device, and a description of the safety when working with the item.
The inscriptions are thin and clear, so the nameplate itself is small. In addition, when applying inscriptions on the nameplate, their durability is important, therefore, only laser marking is used in production. And due to the high speed of work, their production has no restrictions on circulation.
Engraving on a thermal mug
Metal thermo mugs are especially popular now. And they are used not only in hiking but also, for example, in bars and restaurants. Engraving a thermal mug on a fiber optic marker is not at all difficult. One caveat – you need a rotary device.
Engraving on knives
Engraving is usually applied to the knife blade. It can be as inscriptions, patterns, logos, and any other images.
Two types of engraving can be applied to a steel knife – dark and light. For example, black engraving will look better on polished steel. And on blued, Damascus and painted blades – light.
In addition, it is important to consider the texture of the blade. The laser can be used for both surface marking and engraving.
Sum up
Generally speaking, metal engraving has been used after part machining, laser engraving is one of the most common methods. Laser engraving features high precision, durability, and no risk of object deformation, thus has been widely used in many industries. If you need engraving of your parts or product, please feel free to contact us.
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