The truth of the matter is, rotary engraving is the preferred method-and sometimes the only practical method-for certain types of jobs.ДЇor rotary engraving novices, the idea of plunging into rotary engraving can be daunting. Many industry veterans use rotary engraving equipment in their businesses for certain types of work, whether itвЂ™s engraving batches of trophy plates or personalizing watches and other fine jewelry. But itвЂ™s also true that rotary engraving is still alive and well in our industry. ItвЂ™s true that lasers have many advantages-theyвЂ™re versatile, easy to use and affordable. Long before lasers came on the scene, mechanical engraving machines were making their mark on mainstream industry products such as trophies, plaques, signage, giftware and jewelry, in addition to items off the beaten path like bowling balls, skis and computer key caps. Using a tapered rotating cutter to cut (profile) badges out of plastic results in an attractive, beveled edge. However, with the advent of laser engraving a lot of users have adopted the term вЂњrotary engravingвЂќ to describe what we do with a rotating cutter or non-rotating diamond graver.

It has historically been called вЂњmechanical engravingвЂќ because the cut is made mechanically using a cutting tool. But in reality, they represent the very core of our industry-rotary engraving.ДЄctually, the term вЂњrotary engravingвЂќ is a misnomer. In fact, they might as well be written in a foreign language. Look for a follow-up article about the basics of laser engraving in a future issue.ДЇor someone new to the engraving business, or someone only familiar with laser engraving, terms such as diamond drag engraving, burnishing adaptors, rotary cutters, micrometer dials, speeds and feeds, and cutting angles probably donвЂ™t mean much. This article serves as a basic primer about rotary engraving-what it is, how it works and all of the wonderful opportunities it can present to an engraving business.

Any information would be greatly appreciated.ДЇor these readers, and others who are considering either opening an engraving business or branching out into a new field, the best advice is to acquaint yourself with the engraving technologies available, which are primarily rotary and laser engraving, and then make an educated decision from there. Engraving on acrylic and glass is also a possibility. I want to engrave all types of jewelry, including photos on jewelry and the inside/outside of rings. I canвЂ™t seem to find equipment that does everything I need it to and I canвЂ™t afford to buy two or three machines. The problem is that I am finding it very difficult to determine what I need. I am seriously considering buying an engraving machine for my jewelry store. Currently, I am attempting to compare what would be the better option: a laser engraver or a rotary (mechanical) engraver? For a startup business, which would you personally recommend? I am writing to you with a huge favor to ask. The following letters typify these individuals.

There are also other people now entering the industry who donвЂ™t know much about either engraving technology. Nowadays, most new people entering the industry start out with a laser and skip the step of becoming an expert in the field now called rotary engraving. вЂњWow! Can you really engrave something using a beam of concentrated laser light?вЂќ вЂњWhereвЂ™s the cutter?вЂќ another reader inquired.ДЇor a long time, most of the engraving professionals who purchased their first laser did so with an extensive array of knowledge and experience under their belt doing вЂњmechanical,вЂќ also known as вЂњrotary,вЂќ engraving. There was a time, not that many years ago, when quite a few EJ readers were exploring the magic and wonders of laser engraving. Photos courtesy of Roland DGA Corporation, Irvine, CA.

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