Datamartrix marked with fiber laser engraver

How to engrave metal?

Discover our rotary and laser engraver for metal!

Years ago, men discovered the ability to shape metal, we have been marking it, be it for artistry, personalization or traceability.

Metal is complex: conductive, reactive, and composed of chemicals, and alloys so, when you are looking for a rotary or laser marking machine for metal, the best solution will depend on the type of metal you will be engraving:

  • Stainless steel Aluminum
  • Anodized aluminum
  • Hardened metals
  • Steel alloy
  • Titanium and titanium alloys
  • Carbides
  • Brass
  • Copper
  • Precious metals
  • Coated metals

Why mark metal?
Metal engraving is used for the marking of text, logos, pictures, numbers, 2D codes, the list is endless. The industries marking metal, is even bigger with jewelry, medical, automotive, aeronautics, and energy, to name a few.

Our laser marking and engraving is done without contact, and does not require any pre-treatment or post-treatment. The result is a permanent, resistant, and high contrast marking with a very high definition finish, and of course without damaging the metal.

Rotary engraving cuts away the metal using an engraving cutter, similar to a drill. This allows for both engraving and cutting (on some metals) and is used extensively across all industries from engraving jewelry to cutting control panels.

The direct part marking by dot peen or scribing is performed thanks to a tungsten carbide stylus which comes into contact with the surface and deforms the material in hollow thanks to a succession of impacts which form the final marking.

Gravotech has extensive experience in metal marking and brings its expertise to help you find the best metal engraving solution that will fit your needs. There are many different types of metals and we have a machine solution for each of them.

Discover Gravotech's metal engravers

Our complete range of integrated lasers and laser stations will allow you to carry out marking on all types of metal parts, for a permanent result, with excellent quality and contrast for full identification and traceability.

    Our range of rotary machines are able to process light diamond engraving, neat deep engraving, light milling, and drilling. Gravotech’s Dot peen and Scribing solutions offer fast non-contrasted deep marking obtained by making close impacts on the surface of several metal types.

    The fastest pneumatic dot peen marking machine.

    XF510P dot peen marking machine

    XF510p

    INTEGRABLE DOT PEEN
    • Technology: pneumatic
    • Marking area: from 50 x 20 mm to 200 x 80 mm
    • Materials: Metals, plastics
    • Application: Identification

    The most precise and consistent electromagnetic dot peen marking machine.

    XF510m dot peen marking machine

    XF510m

    INTEGRABLE DOT PEEN
    • Technology: electromagnetic
    • Marking area: from 50 x 20 mm to 200 x 80 mm
    • Materials: Metals, plastics
    • Application: Identification

    The quiet metal scribing marking machine.

    Front view of the XF510r machine

    XF510r

    INTEGRABLE SCRIBING
    • Technology: scribing
    • Marking area: from 40 x 50 mm to 160 x 50 mm
    • Materials: Metals, plastics
    • Application: Identification

    Medium CNC engraving machine for flat and cylinder engraving on metal and plastic.

    IS400 rotary metal engraving machine

    IS400 and IS400 Volume

    CNC ENGRAVING TABLE
    • Marking area: 305 x 210 mm
    • Materials: Plastics, metals and organic materials (glass, wood)
    • Applications: Personalization, identification, signage, creative

    Small and custom engraving machine for all purposes, from perfume bottle to small industrial signage.

    M20 Custom engraving machine

    M20

    ENGRAVING STATION
    • Marking area: 100 x 100 mm
    • Diameter: From 12.5 to 27 mm
    • Materials: Plastics, metals and organic materials (glass, wood)
    • Applications: Personalization, creative

    Standalone dot peen marking station.

    Impact marking station: dot-peen marking machine

    IMPACT

    DOT PEEN STATION
    • Technology: electromagnetic & pneumatic
    • Marking area: 100 x 120 mm
    • Materials: Metals, plastics
    • Application: Identification

    Large and extra large format CNC engraving machines.

    ISx000 large format CNC engraving machine.

    ISx000

    CNC ENGRAVING TABLE
    • Marking area: Up to 610 x 1220 mm
    • Materials: Plastics, metals and organic materials (glass, wood)
    • Applications: Signage, creative, manufacturing

    Small CNC engraving machine for label and small part traceability system.

    IS200 rotary engraving machine

    IS200

    CNC ENGRAVING TABLE
    • Marking area: 225 x 80 mm
    • Materials: Plastics, metals and organic materials (glass, wood)
    • Applications: Personalization, signage

      Lasertrace™ facilitates the traceability and identification of all types of metal parts.

      Metal laser engraving

      Direct part marking on metal

      Laser etching can be used on a broad range of materials. Laser engraving occurs when the heat of the beam melts only the surface of the material and does not fully penetrate the material.

      The high power of the laser uses high heat to melt only the surface of the material. Oxides sometimes form in engraved areas, making the marks clearer and more visible. The laser modifies its reflectivity and improves the contrast. It removes very little material.

      It can be carried out on raw, anodized or plated metal surfaces. Light engraving of metals and oxides. Removes less than .001” of material. High-speed marking. Works on all metals.

      See our metal laser engraving machines !

      Text mark with metal laser engraver

      When marked components require reworking or additional painting and the material is rough, laser engraving needs to be applied deeper into the material.

      The laser creates high heat during the engraving process, which causes the material to vaporize. This creates a cavity in the surface that is noticeable to the eye and touch. It is recommended when the laser marking suffers post-process stress (such as sandblasting for die-castings).

      Fast fusion and vaporization of the material. Varying the depth is achieved by the number of passes. Only work with filled font/shapes.

      Datamatrix marking on metal

      • Annealing

      Annealing heats the material locally to just below its melting point. This generates oxide layers on the surface of the workpiece which are associated with metallic annealing colors. It is also the preferred method whenever a precision fit is required or there is a need to avoid material bulging.

      You can only anneal metals that change color when under the influence of heat and oxygen, i.e. steels and titanium, but not aluminum or nonferrous metals. Generally, the oxide layer is black, but it can also have other annealing colors. The color depends on the temperature of the heated layers. The material surface remains even during annealing because nothing is removed from it. The color change is achieved through localized material heating only. The heat usually penetrates .02 to .03 mm deep in the metal surface.

       

      • Black marking

      Black marking is a marking process that produces very high-contrast, dark markings. This structured surface reduces the amount of light that is reflected, and the result is a deep, matt blackening of the marking, which appears the same when viewed from any angle. This makes the marking non-abrasive. Black markings are ideal for rust-free stainless steels, titanium, copper and brass.

      Metal engraving with a rotary machine

      Metal keyring personalized

      With metal engraving machines, we drag a diamond tool on the surface of the material to obtain a light and very aesthetic marking. There is no chip created and the material weight loss is insignificant, which is important particularly in jewelry.

      This marking process can be used even for very hard alloys such as steel, stainless steel or iron and of course also with softer metals. It is ideal for signage (tags) and personalization. The groove created in the part can also be filled with lacquer or wax, to obtain a high contrast or color.

       See our cnc metal engraving machines!

      Deep engraving with cnc metal engraving machine

      CNC metal engraving machines, the material is removed using cutting tools, «engraving cutters» of various sizes and shapes.

      CNC is used for cutting out shapes in metal such as for control panels or for milling out 3D shapes such as the creation of hot stamps, mold insert or soft metal manufacturing in general. This technology can also be used to obtain text, numbers or logos deeply engraved in the part, whether it is for identification (direct part marking) of personalization purposes.

      This marking process provides excellent non-contrasted results both for cutting or milling, and even our small engravers can do the job in soft metal such as aluminum or brass.

      Identification marking of Datamatrix code

      Our pneumatic dot peen marking machines are the best for marking applications requiring a very short cycle time to meet the speed requirements of industrial sectors.

      The electromagnetic marking machines are more suitable for applications needing great precision and consistency. It is particularly efficient for DataMatrix code marking. The electromagnetic dot peen marking machine is a high-precision marking solution to meet traceability and identification requirements.

      Our dot peen metal marking machines are economical with clear marking, marking twice as fast as other dot peen machines.

      Vehicule Identification Number deep marking

      Silent with aesthetic and amazing results, scribing machines are used in all industrial operations, subject to noise level limitations: for marking large metal components (beams, rails, chassis and exhaust pipes etc.) for marking V.I.N. numbers (Vehicle Identification Numbers) on cars, motorbikes and heavyweight vehicles, etc.

      This is the solution with the best marking/speed depth ratio. It provides high quality marking. It was developed for heavy industrial applications, our systems are durable and require very little maintenance.

      Mosaic of personalized jewels, glass and perfume

      Personalization

      Make it unique, create emotions

      You are a luxury brand or an international brand and you would like to develop an exclusive in store customer experience for your clients, on your e-commerce site or during an event?

      Gravotech offers tailored solutions that will meet your needs. A dedicated project manager will guide you throughout the collaboration: discussing requirements, running samples on your products, selecting the best-suited personalization technology, solution deployment and user training.

       

      Find out more