When you think of rotary engraving, a signage application typically is not the first image that pops to mind. Rotary engravers have long been a staple in the awards industry, and while they have had their place in the signage market, rotary engravers have never played a dominant role. However, as rotary engravers have advanced over the years, new features are available that benefit the signage industry. 

 

New rotary engraver features allow for a more precise cut. (Photo courtesy of Gravograph)

NEW FEATURES HIT MARKET

For sign shops looking to save time and money, many rotary engravers now offer a feature called terrain following, which allows the machine to automatically trail a non-flat surface, says Jonathan Cohen, product manager for Gravograph. This feature is especially helpful when fabricating a sign with 3-D elements and embellishments because the sign maker no longer has to map the surface. Instead, the rotary engraver automatically moves the tool up and down to follow the surface at the exact depth needed.

 

“In the past, sign shops either didn’t do it, or they had to use 3-D software to map the curvature of the surface in the software, and then project the engraving on the surface,” Cohen says. “This is high-end software and requires a high-end machine that can do simultaneous 3-D motion. So terrain following really simplifies it and reduces the cost.”

 

There are also new features that allow sign shops to more easily fabricate ADA signage. In the past, Cohen notes, sign shops were hesitant to get into ADA signage, primarily because of regulation issues. However, with the new features available, sign shops can enter the ADA market, provide compliant signs and find a new source of revenue. 

 

Vision Engraving, for example, offers the Raster Pen Braille Insertion Devices for specific Vision engraving models. With this tool, sign shops can more precisely place the Braille beads on the sign, which is crucial for shops producing ADA-compliant signage, says Jaci Feaser, marketing manager of Vision Engraving & Routing Systems.

 

While rotary engravers offer many signage-related features, the machines also allow sign shops to cross over into new markets. (Photo courtesy of Roland DGA)

Additionally, Rick Rivera, product manager of Roland DGA Corp., says software for ADA signage is now more user friendly, which eases the learning curve. 

 

“ADA signage is very easy to produce today with a rotary engraver and is a perfect application for sign shops to offer customers,” Rivera says. “Software designed for ADA signage makes production easy, and existing sign shop customers likely have a need for ADA signage as well.”

 

Rotary engravers also offer a more affordable digitally aligned cutting system camera that still yields high-quality results, Feaser says. With this system, the DACS camera allows a customer to make complex cuts based on a printed image by identifying registration marks on the print. This positions the router to cut out the image correctly. Previously, this technology was only available for large-format routers, but now it is compatible with small engravers as well.  

 

Besides the new features, rotary engravers are available with several upgrades and new accessories, Rivera says. With these add-on features, rotary engravers are more versatile and easier to use. 

 

Signage applications are becoming more popular on rotary engravers. Photo courtesy of Vision Engraving & Routing Systems.

For instance, a high-frequency spindle is an add-on feature that creates detailed work, which is particularly helpful for creating logo graphics or working on metal, Cohen says. Because the spindle is spinning at a higher speed, the cut is cleaner, faster and more precise. The typical spindle operates at approximately 10,000-20,000 RPMs while the high-frequency machine has a wider, faster range at 5,000-60,000 RPM, and this opens rotary engravers to more applications.

 

 “You have a wider range of spindle speeds available to match it to the type of material you’re going to do,” Cohen says. “Basically, it widens the type of material you can process.” 

 

A misting system is another add-on feature, Feaser says, which sprays a small amount of high-quality lubricant onto the substrate. By doing so, the substrate is cooled and more easily cut. More materials, such as hard metals, can be used by the sign shop, and little clean-up is necessary. 

 

The range of options for rotary engravers is making them a valuable part of many sign shops. Photo courtesy Vision

MOVING INTO THE FUTURE

As rotary engravers continue to advance, Feaser expects more sign shops to become interested in adopting the machinery because of the wide range of available applications. While rotary engravers offer many signage-related features, the machines also give sign shops a chance to cross over into new markets and become more competitive. 

 

“Router and engravers will soon be a staple in all sign shops,” Feaser says. “The shops that have purchased a router and engraver in recent years have realized the benefits of the machine, not just for sign-making, but for other applications as well.”

 

A sign shop can expand its business with rotary engravers by offering awards, personalized gifts, and even rhinestone templates for custom apparel applications, which makes the sign shop more valuable to customers, Rivera says. With a large suite of offerings, customers can go to one place for several different needs as well as attract new clients from different markets. 

 

 “The ability to accent printed graphics with the unique capabilities of a rotary engraver can open up new markets for sign businesses,” Rivera says. “Rotary engravers can also be combined with printing technologies to enable the production of premium products that sell at premium prices. As a result, businesses that embrace both technologies can attract new customers, better serve their existing customers, and increase revenues and profits.”  

 

Click here to view the Rotary and Laser Engraver Resource Guide PDFs.