The pleasure of carving metal
In the field of laser engraving for small businesses, a large portion of Internet traffic is searching for metal engraving and how to carve metal. The thing is, carving metal isn't a new thing. This niche market dates back centuries when different techniques were used to carve metals to obtain smooth and subtle surfaces. Today, modern laser cutting and engraving machines have brought new and better developments to this ancient art.
The laser engraver for small businesses can be used as a hobby or in a professional setting, where it is a great tool for branding and creating value-added products, as well as a potential source of income. Below, we explain the basics of cashing in on this niche market, common mistakes, trend ideas, and our recommendations so you can master metal carving and make stunning masterpieces.
How to engrave metal with a laser engraver?
There are many types of laser engravers for small businesses and cutting machines, each suitable for specific use cases. For example, industrial metal engraving is best provided by fiber lasers, on the other hand, benchtop laser engraving machines with CO2, diode, or IR lasers are more suitable for small businesses and hobbyists.
Another thing to consider is the coating to be used on the metal. For example, when cutting stainless steel with a CO2 laser, a specific type of coating designed for CO2 laser cutters and engravers may be required. This is usually because stainless steel has the property of reflecting CO2 lasers, which leads to lower engraving efficiency. The same applies to other types of machines. Here are the general steps to engrave a metal surface with a laser engraver like the Ortur LM3 laser engraver and cutter:
1. First, you need to load a high-quality design vector file in the software suitable for the hardware.
2. Place your selected metal on the Ortur LM3. If it is a round object, an attachment is required (Ortur Y-axis rotating chuck YRC 1.0).
3. After the placement, open the laser cutting machine design software and adjust the design according to the metal surface. This also includes thickness, DPI, speed, power, and other parameters. It is important to note these Settings, as they will allow the LM3 to adjust its laser head for optimal engraving.
4. Press the start button after fine-tuning. You will be surprised to experience the ultra-high speed engraving speed at 20000mm/min on a metal surface. If you want to get deeper carvings, you may need to pass more than once.
5. After completion, clean the metal surface after the engraving process is complete and check the results.
Common mistake
The entire metal engraving process takes some time to fully understand, as each laser hardware from different OEMs has different instructions and methods of operation. Some common mistakes should be avoided when carving metal:
1. Poor ventilation
This is probably the most common mistake people make when carving metal. We recommend the LM3 laser cutter and engraving machine, which has a super-strong dual fan cooling system, as well as guided airflow shutters to keep it cool and breezy.
2. Use reflective metal
The metal can reflect laser beams, potentially damaging the machine. Use a matte coating or carve metal with a less reflective surface.
3. You don't like machines
You have to show a certain affection for the machine that makes such smooth metal engravings for you. Always maintain the functional integrity of the laser hardware and store it in a dust-free environment to avoid failure.
4. Direct engraving
It's always a bad idea to carve directly into your previous metal surface, such as jewelry or a precious gift box. We recommend that you often practice some scrap metal pieces that have just been placed in the workplace and are not of any use.
Before we conclude our article for people looking for how to carve metal, we recommend looking for niches like jewelry for metal carving on platforms like Etsy and Amazon Handmade. Items such as rings, bracelets, and necklaces are top choices for metal carving and are a great choice for small businesses.
Metal engraving is also popular for custom name printing on mobile phone cases, laptop cases, USB drives, and kitchenware. For any of these niches, the Ortur LM3 will be your best fit for a laser engraver for small businesses on metal surfaces thanks to its next-generation protection system, ultra-precise focused laser capabilities, and high-performance cooling and ventilation systems.