Metal Marking and Metal Engraving  in Boise

Metal Engraving Simplified

We welcome you to our Metal Engraving page where we try to help you figure out which type of laser application you might need for your metal marking and/or cutting needs. There are different types of applications for metal, including but not limited to the following:

We would like to take a minute to explain each type of application as well as some of the different types of metals and how the applications relate to them specifically.

Laser Ablation

Laser Ablation is a term used to refer to the process of using a laser to remove a coating from a piece of metal.  This process can be completed using a CO2 laser or a Fiber Laser.  It is a common application for Anodized Aluminum.  You will see common items such as dog tags and appliance face plates marked using Laser Ablation because it is a long lasting method for marking every day items.

Metal Engraving

Metal engraving is a process of marking certain types of metals using an instrument that removes a portion of the metal.  The marks stand out because a portion of the metal has been removed.  Jewelers commonly use impact-driven router style machines for ring engraving. One common laser system that produces this type of application is called a Fiber Optic Laser.  At this time, we do not offer Fiber Laser services. If you are searching for a local Fiber Laser operator, contact us via the link at the bottom of the page and we will try to get you in touch with the right company!

Metal Etching

Metal Etching is a process of marking metal using chemical compounds to dissolve a portion of the metal surface, leaving an imprint behind.  The process has become antiquated for photos, but is still used to etch away metal to create paths on circuit boards and electronic parts.

 

Metal Marking

Metal marking is a process of marking bare metal by applying a metal marking compound to the surface of the metal prior to engraving.  The high temperature of the laser beam causes a chemical reaction between the surface of the metal and the compound layer, changing the color of the compound and permanently welding it to the metal surface.  The metal marking compound is available in black, but we can periodically obtain white and copper at a significantly increased cost.  CO2 laser systems are commonly used to provide metal marking services.  We have included a basic list of metals below that we are able to laser mark with this technique.  Please feel free to contact us via the link at the bottom of the page with any additional questions you may have.

  • Aluminum
  • Bright Annealed Stainless Steel
  • Brass (uncoated)
  • Carbon Steel (cold and hot rolled varieties)
  • Chrome Plating
  • Galvanized Steel
  • Nickel Plating
  • Pewter
  • Stainless Steel
  • Titanium
  • Zinc Coating

Metal marking with a laser has fantastic advantages over screen printing, especially for metal parts that sustain a lot of wear.  The mark that is created using the CO2 Laser and the metal marking compound cannot be removed without deep grinding on the surface of the metal. This makes it ideal in industries where parts need to retain their original marks to hold their value, such as the auto industry.

 

Metal Cutting

There are several automated applications for cutting metal available on the market today.  A few of these include the use of a water jet, a plasma cutter, and a fiber optic laser.  If you are looking for a highly accurate application, the fiber optic laser would be your best option.  Industry standards for Fiber Laser cutting guarantee material tolerances to within .003″ (or 3/1000th of an inch).

 

Commonly Asked Questions About Metal Marking

Can you engrave rings?

If your ring is made from the metals that are listed above under the Metal Marking section, we may be able to achieve minimal text and simple artwork (line art), limited to 1/3 of the visual space in the middle of the ring as you view it from side to side.  We are not able to engrave on the inside of the ring, unfortunately.  It is a specialized application and should be addressed by a jeweler.

Can you engrave Copper, Silver, or Gold, or Platinum?

Unfortunately, metal marking on precious and highly reflective materials such as  Platinum, Gold, Silver, and Copper presents some challenges that few laser system manufacturers are currently able to solve.  Highly reflective metals reflect the laser beam away from the metal surface, sometimes causing damage to the laser optics.  As laser optics are expensive to replace, many laser engravers will not accept laser engraving jobs involving these metals. Often times, these metals are also coated with a protective coating.  It is nearly impossible to tell whether the metal is coated prior to engraving. Sometimes coatings can be removed using the laser, but this process is complicated, difficult, and labor intensive.  It is best to seek the assistance of a jeweler for your metal marking needs on these specific metals.

If you haven’t found the answers to your metal marking questions, please visit our metal engraving gallery page or contact us via the link below!

 

Contact us