Tag Archives: material

Commonly Asked Engraving Questions

Engraving servicesWhat items can be engraved?

A wide range of products can be engraved to personalise them. Objects such as tankards, jewellery and plaques are what usually come to mind, but items such as laptops, iPads, tools and even guns can be engraved with text, patterns and symbols. Using engraving is a wonderful way to make something unique to you or your company, and it can be applied to a huge number of items. Here are our top eight frequently asked questions about engraving services:  Continue reading

Laser Cutting & Engraving Tips

laser engraving

 

Laser cutting involved cutting a precise shape from a material using a laser beam. The beam is directed onto the material and it cuts through by burning the material. There are different types of laser cutters available. The choice of laser cutter depends on the material to be cut and the precision required. Similarly, laser engraving involves using laser beams to engrave shapes and patterns on a material with high precision. The processes require skill and close attention to ensure a perfect result. As such, the following tips come in handy for a laser cutter and engraver.

Material Preparation

Proper material preparation is central to a smooth process of cutting and engraving.

Masking

First, the smoke of the engraving tends to stain the adjoining surfaces.To avoid this, you should cover the material with a masking tape. The masking tape does not affect the strength of the laser beam, while the adjoining surfaces remain protected.

Presets

It is also smart to check the laser for presets for particular cuttings. Mostly, workers will find themselves cutting and the same shapes and sizes over and over again. Therefore, it becomes prudent to have preset lasers for each situation and hence worker faster and more efficiently.

Test Cuts

Also, running a test cut before the actual cut prepare you for a smooth process.It to eliminate any flaws one might have put during the actual cut.

Use Layers

The tricks also require being able to print a design at a time. This means one has to use layers. The following are some merits of using layers

– You are able to control the order of cuts.The layers allow you to have control over the order of cuts. The control will allow you to be in control of your own designs

-It allows you to host several designs in one file. This platform is great. You get to have all your designs in one file under different layers

– The layers allow you to come up with a guide. The guide can be easily used by other engravers in future projects

Guiding Laser

It is always important to have a laser that can point where the cutting will be done. There are lasers with red pointer dots that enable the workers to work with precision (Biostable). The red dot traces the edges of the shape to be cut or engraved and guides the worker through the process.

How was Engraving Believed to Have Originated

How Engraving Originated

Ancient Sumerian cuneiform writing engraved in a stone

The art of engraving has been in existence since civilization began. In ancient times, people engaged in the art of engraving to honour gods and their rulers. The existence of stone carvings in the Serengeti show that the art had been in existence for nearly 500,000 years.

There is also the existence of the famous statuette of fertility in Austria (The Venus of Willendorf), and carved gemstones referred to as cameos which have been discovered in Rome and Egypt.

Cameos are especially famous in Rome, where they were mainly used in carvings to resemble the likeness of its famed leaders and rulers, such as Alexander the Great and Pliny the Elder. Continue reading

Trafford Park: the birthplace of Traffolyte.

Traffolyte Engraving: The Infographic

A visual look at Traffolyte engraving, in an easier to digest format

On numerous occasions, we have looked at the wonders of Traffolyte engraving. We have looked at it in written form, but previous accounts haven’t been quite as easy to read over a quick coffee. Or on a ten minute train journey.

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Why Traffolyte is Alright

More reasons to use Traffolyte signage

A Traffolyte Valve Disk with valve name

A Traffolyte valve disk with a valve name.

One of the greatest things about Traffolyte is its use in labelling. Lettering is well defined and legible with text on a high contrast background. They are often used on electrical installations as the plastic does not conduct with electricity. This was why Metropolitan Vickers invented it for their Trafford Park works in 1927 (hence the first six letters of ‘Trafford’ forming its name).

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