Engravelab/signlab will run most engravers and cnc routers and is the perfect back end for these machines (albeit I dont think its a great package for design).
Depending on the rotary engravers capabilites , it is VERY potent as it allows for some very serious machining strategies when generating tool paths. We run 3 Isels , a tekcel and a roland Pnc 2300 engraver off this and can do just about anything. We use Acad and Corel and import into signlab/engravelab/profilelab (all more or less the same package) and can do stuff like fills of various types , hogging , quasi 3d work, multipass and muiltidepth engraving etc - even with our mickey mouse Roland we can do stuff that the big Cnc mills can!!! we have no problem at all in terms of using Corel with any of our machines and this is a huge + as we use corel for digital printing , vinyl cutting , lasering etc and can use one file across all platforms. Decent software is as important as the machine itself and the design side is a very small part of it , how it interacts with the machines controller is far more vital. I would not buy a machine that has a program that cannot import others output or relies on prorietory fonts or formats etc.
I would not buy a small gift type rotary engraver if you really want to maximise what you do , I would look for a machine that can also do duty as a router of sorts as well as this can elevate you into being able to do some really serious work and can take you into very profitable areas.
Cutting metals and substrates that cant be laser cut is one of the most potent applications for a machine like this.
Buy a a machine that can extrapolate in all 3 axes and has a decently powered spindle motor and can do decent areas. If you combine the laser and a cnc engravers output , the applications are endless!!!
For example you could machine a black anodised aluminium instrument panel and then load it into the laser to be engraved in FAR more detail than a rotary can , or use spectrum light , engraved and die cut on the laser and then applied to brass die cut shape done on the cnc for a key fob, badge etc. You cant cut thick woods with a laser, but can easily do so with a 1/2 decent engraver and then load it into the laser for further processing. The rigidity of the machine is a huge factor in how well it engraves , get a machine that uses closed loop servo motors and not stepper motors. make sure whatever you get has VERY good Z axis clearances so you can fit bulkier items and their holding jigs and vices in them , best is a spindle motor that has a bottom loading collet as then you arent really limited to engraving bits. If you do intend to do more than mere diamond engraving , you have to get a cutter grinder - no matter how good a machine is in terms of its capabilites , without the correct bit , you might as well have a chisel.
I suppose what you get depends on what you want to do , I looked at machines like the Gravograph gift and ISO volume and wasnt that impressed in terms of price vs capabilities and they were pretty expensive (especially if you included all the accessories) unless one was doing big runs of stuff. I was pretty impressed with their ease of setup however for somone who does specialise in stuff like promotional gift marking and so on. |