Metal engraving refers in the use of a variety of different based on the metal to carve out a variety of different patterns. You can engrave text, pictures, QR codes, etc. on the metal surface. Moreover, the application field of metal engraving is very wide, in addition to the most common field of jewelry making, as well as medical, aerospace field will appear the figure of metal engraving. Today, this article will take you into the world of metal engraving!
What are the methods of metal engraving?
Hand engraved metal
Hand engraving is one of the oldest methods of metal engraving, using a variety of different sized engraving tools to leave a variety of patterns on the metal surface. Although hand engraving is not very efficient, hand engraving is able to showcase the personal style of different engravers. Many people will spend a considerable amount of time waiting for their favorite engraving to be completed because they like the style of an engraver.
Diamond Drag Scratch Engraving
This type of engraving involves dragging a non-rotating tool with a diamond tip over a metal surface and leaving a corresponding impression. The quality and accuracy of this method of engraving is practically indistinguishable from hand engraving. Diamond drag scratch engraving is more suitable for engraving softer metals, so this method is often used for engraving jewelry and trophies.
Diamond Drag Scratch engraving can actually be considered one of the fastest engraving methods, and its actual cost is relatively low compared to other engraving methods. And it can also be used to carve some of the smaller letters. So it is the preferred way for many novices to start jewelry engraving.
Polished engraving
Polished engraving refers to the use of a rotary tool to leave a polished surface on the surface of the metal. This rotary tool is either hardened and gold or a diamond cutter is used as the engraving tip. While polished engraving sounds similar to the above type of engraving, polished engraving has one advantage over diamond drag scratch engraving, and that is that the pattern engraved by polished engraving is not limited by the width of the engraving tool.
However, there is a drawback to polishing engraving, which is that polishing engraving machines are relatively more expensive and require additional polishing adapters. Also, the polishing engraving machine itself is very noisy to use and not everyone can accept it.
Laser engraving
Laser engraving refers to the use of a strong laser beam instead of an engraving tool to leave marks on metal. When the strong laser beam hits the surface of the metal, the metal material is vaporized in an instant due to the high temperature.
The advantage of laser engraving is that the laser engraving machine is able to adjust the intensity of the laser as well as the width of the laser very accurately, and so on, and the fineness of the final pattern engraved is quite high. And laser engraving in the process of engraving does not produce metal debris, so do not have to clean up the excess metal material while engraving like the traditional way of engraving. In addition, the speed of laser engraving is very fast, and can realize the mass production of engraved products.
But laser engraving also has corresponding disadvantages. First of all, laser engraving is not good for engraving some thick metal materials, or engraving with very slow speed. Furthermore, laser engraving in the process of engraving will consume a lot of energy, ultimately leading to laser engraving production costs will be higher than other engraving methods.
What are the more common engraved metals?
Gold, silver and other precious metals
The soft texture of these precious metals makes them ideal for cutting. Most of these metals will be used to make jewelry. So many times, hand engraving or diamond drag scratch engraving is the preferred way to engrave these metals.
Aluminum (Chemistry)
Aluminum is a metal that is often used to make things like plaques or trophies. Aluminum is a metal that may have less stable properties compared to metals like brass and copper. However, you don't have to worry too much as most of the aluminum alloys on the market can be cut.
Brass
It is difficult to carve directly from the ordinary brass sold on the market. However, you can purchase specialized "engraving brass" for engraving. This "engraving brass" is actually quite readily available and can be purchased from engraving material suppliers. If you want to use brass for signage, you can use brass with a thickness of 0.04 inches as well as 0.06 inches. You can also paint the surface of the aluminum metal so that when you are engraving, the engraving will contrast with the background and the engraving will be more effective.
Stainless steels
Stainless steel is more difficult to carve compared to the metal above although it still has a lot of advantages as well. Stainless steel this material is very high stability, corrosion resistance, but also moisture. Stainless steel is still very wide range of applications, such as control panels, switches, etc. will have stainless steel material.
Article Summary
Metal engraving techniques can be utilized in many different industries for different purposes. From jewelry to parts of aerospace instruments, metal engraving can be found. If you want to try your hand at jewelry engraving yourself, you can choose a metal engraving method that best suits your needs based on the above analysis of different metal engraving methods. Finally, this article can provide you with some help. If you have any questions, you are also welcome to communicate with us.
