Metal engraving is the process of engraving a design or text on the surface of metal, which can be used on many everyday items such as rings, jewelry, and tools. These items can also show your preference and personality. Metal engraving is not only aesthetically pleasing, but we can also engrave dates, names, and serial numbers on metal, which can help with quick identification.
Want to learn more about metal engraving? We will introduce you to the 4 types of metal engraving and the corresponding engraving tool in detail.
1. Hand engraving
Hand engraving metal is a more ancient, traditional way of engraving, but need to be more professional, rich skills, hand engraving can create a more special, unique works, this way is more suitable for soft metals, such as gold, silver, copper, etc., the operation will be more labor-saving some. Other harder metals, such as platinum, can also be engraved, but require more physical effort than soft metals.
Hand engraving, although it takes more time and effort, creates a more special piece of artwork and the quality usually depends on the level of the engraver. It is ideal for use in artwork, jewelry, etc., and can be a great way to show off its artistry and personality.
Hand engraving usually involves the use of engraving knives with different cutting edges, a ball vise, and common tools such as sharpening stones. Engraving knives are the main tools used for hand engraving, and they come in a variety of different shapes, each with a different purpose.
If you want to buy high quality engraving tools, the Katway store is very reliable, guaranteed and has a very large selection of engraving tools to choose from.
How to realize hand engraving metal?
Hand engraving metal is a thing that needs to be realized by people with more experience and skills, if you are a novice, but would love to try hand engraving. You can print out the pattern you want to engrave and then use acetone to tap and transfer the pattern to the metal surface. Use a ball vise to hold the metal in place. When using the carving knife remember to hold it at a 45° angle to the metal sheet and use an even, equal force to carve, which will result in smoother lines, patterns, and engraving. This is because the strength used when engraving will affect the depth and width of the engraving.
Remember to clean the surface of the metal after the carving is completed, it is best to paint or protective layer, which can be very good protection of the metal luster as well as engraving patterns, especially for silver this easy to lose the luster of the metal, especially recommended.
2. Rotary engraving
Rotary engraving metal, the use of tools is a kind of electric hand-held engraving knife. Although this tool is electric, but still need to be manually operated, using this way, can help you save physical strength. Moreover, rotary engraving allows you to achieve different engraving effects by switching the tool, which allows you to engrave harder metals and achieve higher efficiency as compared to hand engraving.
Before you start engraving clean the metal you want to engrave and make a good draft of the pattern you want to engrave. Use a lower RPM setting and begin engraving the surface of the metal. Remember to maintain an even, steady pressure. When you are finished engraving, use a brush to sweep the metal surface clean of debris.
3. Pneumatic Engraving Machine
Pneumatic engraving machines allow for faster, more efficient engraving than hand engraving.
Select the metal you want to engrave and design the pattern or text to be engraved. Print them off and mark them onto the surface of the metal you want to engrave. Depending on the pattern you want to engrave, choose the right engraving head and adjust the air pressure of the pneumatic engraving machine, which can be determined according to the hardness of the metal, with higher air pressure for harder metals and lower pressure for softer metals. Use even pressure to engrave the metal to avoid excessive pressure to damage the surface of the metal. Clean the surface of the metal after engraving is complete, and if polishing is required, use polishing tools to polish the metal.
4. Laser engraving
Laser engraving and traditional engraving is very different, it is through the beam of light will be engraved on the surface of the metal, and laser engraving can be applied to gold, silver, platinum, aluminum, stainless steel, copper and other metal materials, but also can be used to carve wood, plastic and so on.
First choose the right laser engraving machine and set the parameters you want. Draw the pattern you want in advance in your computer. Place the metal you want to engrave on, the working table of the engraving machine. Press the start switch, the laser engraving machine will be independent of the engraving, engraving is completed after the use of brushes, you can remove the debris on the surface of the metal.
