OT: Engraving Machines for Legend Plates

[FactoryTalktotheHand]

I've been tasked to look into a new engraving machine. Our 20-year-old New Hermes has bitten the dust so I'm looking for a replacement. Does anybody engrave their own tags? I'm looking for something that can cut out tags from stock as well as engrave text. Any recommendations?

 

[Bob O]

In a past life we used one similar to this link for plastics legends...
https://www.rolanddga.com/products/engraving-machines/egx-350-automatic-engraving-machines

HTH

 

[jgreenewv]

+1 for Roland. In a previous job, we used one of these in our panel shop, but we had a fairly low demand for engraved tags.

https://www.rolanddga.com/products/engraving-machines/egx-30a-desktop-engraving-machine

 

[ASF]

I've heard good things about Gravograph, but never really looked into it myself.

 

[mendonsy]

I've still got my old New Hermes and the original operator too (my wife). I would stick with them, now calling themselves Gravograph. I haven't seen anything any better.

 

[Archie]

Not exactly a direct answer to your question, but years ago I searched for a method to replace engraved plates that was more flexible with a more modern appearance. The method I came up with was doing it with a vinyl printer/cutter. This method gives you endless graphic and color possibilities. The drawing is printed on a clear vinyl, applied to the panel, then sprayed with a protective clear coat to ensure the print cannot be worn off. I am amazed at how durable the coating is. You can aggressively dig it with a finger nail and still can't get through it.

I used to print these myself, but found it easier to just send the drawing to the local sign shop. The printer/cutters are quite expensive ($15,000+) and can be tedious to use.

Attached is a picture of what the final result looks like. Overlook the missing speed control knob, this picture was taken before that was put on.

 

[jaden]

Archie;
How do you send the info to the sign shop? Cad drawing?

 

[Archie]

Archie;
How do you send the info to the sign shop? Cad drawing?

I make the drawings in Adobe Illustrator, but convert them to PDF before sending them to the sign shop. So I can actually draw it with any software and export to PDF. I do have to draw them to exact scale because the shop I use sends them directly to their printer.

 

[T Gibbs]

Archie, that's really nice. I've often wondered how that type printing was done on operator panels, etc.
we have a Brady BBP33 printer. I can order the blanks from Brady and print my own, but they're not nearly as nice as what Archie does.

 

[shooter]

Yep the coat works fine, however when cleaning or when using oil it is simpler to ask for 2 print and stick them on top of each other. When the top is damaged no problem as the underlayer is protected.
I also send it to the printshop, indeed colors are fine, even complete backgrounds of machines can be used,

If only a few nameplates are needed i would go for a juwelers engraver.
Or a simple CNC engraver. within arduino they are cheap and still very versatile
500 $ is cheapest new machine.

 

[JeffKiper]

I have a Roland EGX 30A. Just started out doing my own engraving.

 

[FactoryTalktotheHand]

I'm currently looking into the Roland EGX 350. I also have a call into Gravotech.