Stainless steel etching, engraving and marking

Dot peen

The principle of the dot peen marking machine is based on the creation of depressions in the material, using a vibrating tool. This creates a series of dots that form a direct, permanent, legible, and high quality marking. Dot peen marking technology adapts to the material, the marking results are constant, regardless of the type of steel.

Dot peen technology offers high-quality marking, legible and permanent to resist erasure, discoloration, corrosion and all types of treatments. Dot peen marking is one of the most versatile technologies because it is possible to mark fine markings but also to make deep markings according to your requirements.

Moreover, this technology does not heat the material and does not create any breaking point in the material, whatever its thickness. The initial cost and operating cost are lower with this technology. Dot peen technology enables stainless steel parts that are generally subject to high stress (specifically in the automotive and aviation industries) to have heat and high-temperature resistant markings.

• Pneumatic dot peen
  Our 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 wide range of stylus available allows fine, wide, surface or deep markings and adapts to irregular surfaces thanks to the 3D stylus which allows marking on complex parts with irregular shapes.
   
• Electromagnetic dot peen
  More suitable for applications needing great precision and consistency. It is particularly efficient for DataMatrix code marking. The electromagnetic dot peen technology is a high-precision marking solution to meet traceability and identification requirements. Thanks to its panel of electromagnetic styluses, it is possible to carry out all types of fine surface or deep marking.

Scribing technology

The scribing machine uses a carbide or diamond tip to apply permanent marking directly to the stainless steel (up to 62HRC). Unlike dot peen, the tip doesn’t vibrate but slides along the surface; marking and tracing a continuous homogenous line. The result is very clear and aesthetic.

This process has the advantage of being very quiet so it is particularly used for marking hollow parts with high resonance, tubes, sheets and for engraving nameplates. Scribing marking technology offer the best marking/speed depth ratio and high quality marking to meet identification and traceability needs.

The material is removed using cutting tools, “engraving cutters” of various sizes and shapes. Engraving by rotary machine has very good adaptability to any type of stainless steel, and the possibilities are consequent, even the smallest and thinnest characters and logos can be engraved to create a durable and artistic engraving. This technology also brings out the brilliance and natural look of the stainless steel.

Moreover, the constant and strong engraving depth ensures a sustainable result that allows you to add lacquer or paint afterwards to color your creation. It is very popular in the jewelry, mechanical workshops and ID plates sectors. Stainless steel hardness requires a collet spindle (including a High-Frequency spindle) to hold the cutting tool firmly.

The tools to process stainless steel have a specific sharpening: Percut range for drilling, Twincut range for engraving. When milling stainless steel, a lubricant system and product adapted to stainless steel is necessary (part of the Gravotech range) to evacuate chips and increase the cutting tool lifetime.