Did you know that humans have been making engravings for important things for hundreds of thousands of years? Engravings are used for everything from honoring gods and leaders to representing events and telling stories. Engraved metal is the newest iteration of engraving items to share ideas and honor people who are important to you.
Metal engraving might sound crazy or difficult, but there are a number of types of metal engraving that you can choose from when you decide that you need something engraved. It is important that you understand the metal engraving process so that you can make the most of your engraved metal.
The good news is that you’ve come to the perfect spot to learn more about creating engraved metal. Keep reading this article to learn more!
Diamond-Drag Scratch Engraving
One of the most common types of metal engraving is diamond-drag scratch engraving. This process of metal engraving uses a tool that doesn’t rotate when engraving the metal of your choice since it is equipped with a diamond tip. The diamond tip is dragged across and into the metal in order to create the engravings that you desire.
Each time that this diamond tip is dragged on the metal it created an etching or an impression. If you’re looking for a metal engraving process that is quick and precise then you need to consider going this route. Each stroke is consistent with width as well as depth.
If you’re looking for a way to engrave important jewelry or trophies then the diamond-drag scratch engraving method is your best bet. It is the fastest way to engrave metal as well as the least expensive. You can make accurate and small letters when you’re engraving metal.
Burnishing
Burnishing is another option to consider when you’re learning how to engrave metal. The burnishing tool rotates in order to produce the engraved metal that you’re wanting. The tool used for the burnishing method is often either carbide or a diamond cutter.
These tools are perfect for removing the top layer of your metal of choice in order to create a smooth finish. If you don’t have access to the diamond-drag method of metal engraving then burnishing is a great alternative.
It is a newer process when compared to the other types of metal engraving in use today. You can learn more about burnishing and embossing at https://universalengraving.com/product-pages/sheet-fed-dies/inline-embossing-debossing.
A big reason why many people are choosing burnishing is the ability to have close to an unlimited range of stroke width. You can also choose larger sizes for the letters when you’re using burnishing. The main drawback of burnishing is that it’s a bit expensive, and it produces quite a bit of noise during the engraving process.
Rotary Engraving
Rotary engraving is a process of metal engraving that uses a cutting tool that has at least one flute. The tool works by cutting through the metal of your choice as a way to remove metal material. You can get a much deeper cut when you’re using this tool versus burnishing or diamond-drag engraving.
You can also use the tool to produce a total cut-out when you’re going through the metal engraving process. You can adjust the settings to change how deep the cut goes into the metal for a precise and perfect look. If you’re looking for an industrial engraving process then rotary engraving is a great option.
It is the most permanent of all of the metal engraving processes since it allows letters of all sizes to get created. It is also possible to produce two-dimensional and three-dimensional appearances with the fluted tool for metal engraving.
The big drawback to rotary engraving is that it requires a ton of different cutting tools in order to get it right. You’ll also need a rotary spindle, a motor to power the engraver, and tools to clean up the metal shavings.
Laser Beam Engraving
Laser beam engraving is another option when you’re learning to produce engraved metal. This is a great option for metal engraving since the laser is capable of cutting, engraving, and marking the metal of your choice. The laser beam works by removing the surface of the metal to create the impression or engraving.
This process produces high levels of heat due to the use of a laser beam. The metal substance that you’re trying to get rid of will vaporize during the process of laser beam engraving.
There are a ton of benefits that come with laser beam engraving. This technology offers precise engraving and great quality compared to some of the other options out there. You can create letters or detailed images thanks to the advances in laser beam technology.
It is also much quicker than your other options, which opens up more time to produce further engravings for other customers. It is also quite affordable when you look at the costs of getting engraved metal.
Best of all, there is no mess to deal with since the metal that you want to get rid of is vaporized. That means no sweeping or vacuuming after you get done creating your engraved metal masterpiece.
The primary negative of going with laser beam metal engraving is that it struggles at times with thicker types of metal. You’ll need to invest more time into engraving these types of metal which could lead to slower engraving times. They also require a lot of energy in order to engrave metal compared to other options like the diamond-drag engraver and burnisher.
Now You Know How to Make Engraved Metal
Making engraved metal is a great way to commemorate people or an event for years to come. It is important that you know your options when it comes to the types of metal engraving, as well as the metal engraving process for each option. Diamond-drag metal engraving is great if you want a cheap and precise type of metal engraving, while laser beam engraving is quick and requires no clean-up.
For more helpful articles like this one, check out the rest of our blog today!
