Phone 866-727-7256
817-261-7256
FAX 800-210-4461

Your Site For Laser & Engraving Equipment & Supplies

Serving The Engraving Industry Since 1985

You are here: HOME ► SUPPORT ► SUPPORT-VISION ► VISION-TIPS ► ENGRAVING METHODS

Products & Services

ULS Laser Engravers

VersaLasers

Engravers & Routers

CorelDRAW!

Dahlgren Engravers

Engraving & Laser Store

Used Equipment

Site Map

Training

News/Events/Links

FAQ's

Support

■

Universal Lasers

■

Vision Engravers

■

VersaLaser Engravers

■

Dahglren Engravers

About Us

Engraving Basics - Engraving Methods

Diamond Drag (Scratch) Engraving
Using a non-rotating tool with a cone shaped diamond tip that is dragged with pressure through metal leaving an impression.

Advantages

  • Generally the fastest form of engraving.
  • Allows for very small engraved letters, due to the width of stroke.
  • Least expensive.
  • Does not require an engraving motor.
  • Quiet - can be used in environments where noise is an issue.
  • Easiest form of engraving - requires less training.
  • Wide variety of objects can be engraved using this method.
  • Has great eye appeal.
Disadvantages
  • Limited stroke width.
  • Cannot be used with soft materials such as plastic.

Burnishing
Using a rotating tool tool with limited pressure, either carbide or diamond, of varying tip width to remove the top coating or layer of material resulting in a smooth polished finish.

Advantages
  • Virtually unlimited stroke width.
  • Larger letter heights can be achieved using this method.
  • Excellent on plaques and trophies.
Disadvantages
  • More expensive - tools range from $20 to $65.
  • Requires engraving motor and can be noisy.
  • Requires the addition of a burnishing adapter, costing $40 to $75.

Rotary Engraving
Using a cutter with a single or multiple fluted tool which rotates through the work to remove material, leaving a trough of exposed core.  As opposed to drag, rotary engraving may result in deep cutting or the complete cut-out of a letter or object.

Advantages
  • The most permanent form of engraving.
  • Allows the engraver to cut into plastics, wood, ferrous and non-ferrous metals, etc.
  • Virtually any size letter can be made both rout out or cut out, only limited by size of engraving equipment.
  • Can achieve 2 and 3 dimensional appearances.
Disadvantages
  • Requires a selection of cutting tools for the application and materials.
  • Requires a rotary spindle and engraving motor, $120 to $300.
  • Generally requires clean-up after engraving.

Shop For Spindles

Shop For
Diamond Adapters

Areas Served By The Engravers Network, Arlington, TX - Areas listed indicate VersaLaser, Vision VE-810XD and parts

Alaska (AK)
Alabama (AL)
Arkansas (AR)
Arizona (AZ)
Bahamas
California(CA)
Canada
Colorado (CO)
Connecticut (CT)
Delaware (DE)

Dubai
Florida (FL)
Georgia (GA)
Hawaii (HI)
Iowa (IA)
Idaho (ID)
Illinois (IL)
Indiana (IN)
Kansas (KS)
Kentucky (KY)

Louisiana (LA)
Massachusetts (MA)
Maryland (MD)
Maine (ME)
Mexico
Michigan (MI)
Minnesota (MN)
Missouri (MO)
Mississippi (MS)

Montana (MT)North Carolina (NC)
North Dakota (ND)
Nebraska (NE)
New Hampshire (NH)
New Jersey (NJ)
New Mexico (NM)
Nevada (NV)

New York (NY)
Ohio (OH)
Oklahoma (OK)
Oregon (OR)
Pennsylvania (PA)
Puerto Rico (PR)
Rhode Island (RI)
South Carolina (SC)
South Dakota (SD)

Tennessee (TN)
Texas (TX)
Utah (UT)
Virginia (VA)
Vermont (VT)
Washington (WA)
Wisconsin (WI)
West Virginia (WV)
Wyoming (WY)

©2005 Engravers Network • Phone 866-727-7256 • 817-261-7256 • FAX 800-210-4461
601 W. Main St., Arlington, TX 76010-1015