Full Version: Mechanical Engraving Machines
From: Stunt Engraver (DGL) [#8]
16 Feb 2007
To: PenTrophy (PENINSULATROPHY) [#7] 16 Feb 2007
Awhile back, I changed the title of this folder to include CNC equipment.
Computerized Engraving was too generic, since that could also be taken as laser engraving equipment.
Swami is asking about typical engraving machines.
EDITED: 16 Feb 2007 by DGL
From: logojohn [#9]
16 Feb 2007
To: Swami [#1] 17 Feb 2007
If you are going to do anything other than flat metal and plastic, you should note the clearance on the machine.
Some have a fixed bridge with under an inch of clearance and others offer an adjustable bridge as an option.
I like our xenetechs which come standard with a bridge than can be raised for a total clearance of about 7". With just leaving it in one place you still have about 1-1.5" adjustability just by the software settings or lowering the cutter and/or spindle.
I use a small self-centering vice and even clamp on a 5" deep vice from a manual New Hermes Pantograph so all those jigs can be used to. It can hold things about 6" deep and up to about 18" long.
There is also a cylindrical attachment option so you can do bowls and cups up to 6" diamater and about 12" tall.
About the only thing I can't do is the big Ice buckets and things over 6" in diamater.
If you are into a lot of gift items, their gift machine is even more flexible.
Their software is also very feature heavy and continually updated so you aren't stuck with something that can't be upgraded when it is time for a new computer.
Then down the road if you ever add a laser the same software and cylindrical attachment can be used on Xenetech lasers in addition to coreldraw so there is less of a learning curve.
Our 3 Xenetech 16x25's are real workhorses and usually run non-stop all day. After 10 years there has only been one major repair of $1500 from normal wear*. They started out with 16 bit software on Windows 95 and discontinued card types. We were able to update the software to 32 bit and convert to pci cards for a reasonable cost. Their new systems and upgrade available is even better, using a network interface so no card is needed and you can export jobs to it from other networked computers.
*We put detailed logos on everything and use truetype letters with a tight hatch fill on many things. This causes a lot of wear on the machine with the rapid back and forth motion. We are so busy it was run at full speed which caused excessive wear that most users would not experience.
It is never fun to get a $1500 repair bill but prorated over how much work it has done, it is still a minor amount.
EDITED: 16 Feb 2007 by LOGOJOHN
From: PenTrophy (PENINSULATROPHY) [#10]
16 Feb 2007
To: Stunt Engraver (DGL) [#8] 16 Feb 2007
From: Ray (STAMP) [#11]
16 Feb 2007
To: ALL
I'm new here so any information to help buy equipment is welcome.
My husband and I read this forum everyday(for the past 2 weeks) and We feel that We don't know enought to buy yet. My husband and i need your help .
We will be buying a laser engraver and a rotary.We want to cover all aspects:
trophies, awards , name tags, small signs, 3D on glass, wedding accessories and gift ware.
We don't want to focus on 1 or 2 things in case that they don't work to good ..
After 6 or 8 months we will be able to focus on the things that work the best around here. So your opinions and suggestions are welcomed.
..Are we trying too many things or not enought?
Our daughter will be joining us in this exciting aventure. She is very creative.
So any advice is very much welcome.
Ray
From: LARRY (CENTURYBADGE) [#12]
17 Feb 2007
To: Swami [#1] 17 Feb 2007
I have two New Hermes machines. A IS400 and IL400 Laser. Both are over three years old and have been fantastic. The service we have received from New Hermes is terrific. We are located in Florida and our rep is extremely helpful. Goes out of his way to take care of us. They also have a service man in the territory who really knows his stuff. If we have a problem he is in within a day and takes are of it. My next machine will be another New Hermes. (soon I hope)
Larry
From: Swami [#13]
17 Feb 2007
To: ALL
Xenetechs, i'll look into it,
Thanks everyone
From: Stunt Engraver (DGL) [#14]
17 Feb 2007
To: Ray (STAMP) [#11] 17 Feb 2007
Ray,
Do you already run a business?
Of the list of items you plan to offer, 3D on glass wouldn't be one I'd recommend to perform in-house. Big learning curve and there are so many inexpensive imported products, in that area, that unless you come up with something very unusual and in high demand (not likely for a startup) there won't be much money in it.
EDITED: 17 Feb 2007 by DGL
From: Engravin' Dave (DATAKES) [#15]
17 Feb 2007
To: Stunt Engraver (DGL) [#14] 17 Feb 2007
David,
There is also the question about acquiring a license to even sell this particular marking process.
From: Stunt Engraver (DGL) [#16]
17 Feb 2007
To: Engravin' Dave (DATAKES) [#15] 17 Feb 2007
David,
I thought about that after I posted. Add another check mark to the minus column.
EDITED: 17 Feb 2007 by DGL
From: Ray (STAMP) [#17]
17 Feb 2007
To: Stunt Engraver (DGL) [#14] 17 Feb 2007
Hi David,
Yes we do own a business, a home base business, electro plating,
we mosly plate and clean silver , gold , and brass.
It id not a big hit around here and people want it done for free sometime (that's the feeling i get ). For the 3D i will keep that in mind, i will scratch that for now. I din't do my business plan yet so my focus is not set yet on what i should limit myseft to . There is no laser engraver in a 100 miles around but there is a rotary one. Maybe i going over my head here?
We don't know anything about engraving but we are good at computer. I figure if u don't try u don't get anywhere. Right
Ray
From: Stunt Engraver (DGL) [#18]
17 Feb 2007
To: Ray (STAMP) [#17] 18 Feb 2007
I don't think you're going over your head by contemplating a new direction for your business, especially if you say the plating business isn't going over very well.
Why do you think that is?
From: Ray (STAMP) [#19]
18 Feb 2007
To: Stunt Engraver (DGL) [#18] 18 Feb 2007
My guess is : not enough demand, limited market , population of about 20,000 and we need a lot of advertising since we dont have a store front.
The advertising market is very fragmented. We need a wider focus to justify a store front. The money coming from the plating alone is not enough to pay for the rent of a store front.
Ray
From: Stunt Engraver (DGL) [#20]
18 Feb 2007
To: Ray (STAMP) [#19] 19 Feb 2007
I was just trying to understand if there was local competition in the plating business.
In my area (SoCal), there are quite a few platers and all seem to be fairly busy.
One shop I know of, in Pasadena, CA does a brisk business in repair, restoration and plating.
From: Ray (STAMP) [#21]
19 Feb 2007
To: Stunt Engraver (DGL) [#20] 19 Feb 2007
Hey i'm glad you ask. I ask myself the same question.
Yes silversmith seem to do better then plater only. We don't repair .
On top of it we cannot put a sign in front of the house ,because of bylaw in our subdivision. We can plate with rod but not in a tank so we are limited there too.
In business " i guess" you have to go big if you want people to take you seriously, that's why i'm doing my resurch this time . Can't efford to miss the boat. :B
From: UncleSteve [#22]
19 Feb 2007
To: Ray (STAMP) [#21] 19 Feb 2007
Unless it is the Titanic! 8-O
From: Ray (STAMP) [#23]
19 Feb 2007
To: UncleSteve [#22] 19 Feb 2007
But i was thinking of Noah's arch (devil)
From: beeny (DAVEBEENY) [#24]
21 Feb 2007
To: Swami [#1] 22 Feb 2007
After reading the previous members replies I will not criticize New Hermes as I was wont to do, my experience with them was terrible, admittedly this was a long time ago, it's good to read that they have improved. Back to the issue of which engraver to buy, all the major manufacturers are very much similar in the hardware they offer, but I feel the software is much more of a consideration, I don't know about all of them, but Xenetech allows you to try out their "Graphic Workstation" for free for 30 days, also Newing Hall's JLS can be downloaded.This way you can see which software you are comfortable with. Obviously after sales service is important, my personal experience with Xenetech cannot be bettered, they are a smallish company, in as such each customer builds up a personal relationship with the employees, they really go that extra mile, as a bonus their hardwear is excellent & their software is fantastic, I can't think of anything that I wish it could do that it doesn't do already, and if I could, the chances are it would be included in the next free upgrade.
Good Luck
Show messages: 1-7 8-24