When engraving it’s important to consider the size of the words you use. A large font sends a different message than a smaller font so it makes sense to use different sizing for different uses.

Large text is seen immediately, so the type of messages are often important, need to know pieces of information. Examples where large text sizing can be used: Warning messages, identification numbers, names or slogans and other important notifications.

Smaller text is often used for less immediately important messages such as long identification codes, information about a product, messages and less important but necessary notifications.

There is no strict rule when it comes to text sizing. It really depends on how big you feel the message should be and whether it suits the object that is being engraved upon. Remember that large text can be unsightly and ruin the appearance of the image. But smaller text is harder to read and may not serve its purpose. Try and get the balance just right.

Aluminium panels are some of the most widely-used building materials in the worldwide construction industry today. Mainly used for cladding exterior and interior surfaces, their flexibility and beauty make them very popular with users, building owners, and builders alike.

What Aluminium Panels are Made Of

Aluminium composite panels (or “ACP”) are made of two thin aluminium sheets bonded to a tough, non-aluminium core. The result is a thin, sleek, homogenous material that’s weather resistant, temperature resistant, flexible, and beautiful.

The main draw of ACP’s depends on who you ask. Building owners mainly like the appearance of the smooth, shiny metallic surface. Buildings whose exterior walls are clad with ACP’s sport a modern, futuristic, professional look.

Builders, on the other hand, like the relative strength of ACP’s, as they are tough and resistant to denting and damage. They are also lightweight enough to facilitate fast, easy construction.

ACP’s are also popular in the creation of signages, for the same aesthetic qualities. It is generally much lighter than most standard substrates for signages, allowing for larger and more elaborate designs.

ACP’s come in various finishes. By default, they come in an unfinished, metallic silver face, but they can also come in coloured finishes. Varieties resembling other metals such as gold and copper, as well as other popular finishes such as woodstain and marble, are also available. (more…)

Purchasing a laser engraving machine is a long-term investment. The machine will be creating engravings for many years, so it is crucial you select a machine that has the right features for your personal or business use.

Machine Size

Sizes range from compact to industrial sized models, so it’s important to know what area you will be working on and what size you want to be able to engrave at.

How Will You Be Engraving?

Consider the purpose you are using it for. Do you expect to be doing a lot of engravings in a short space of time? If so the speed of the engraver will be an important concern.

Laser Type

The design process of any given product is the transformation of a need, idea or a want by the consumers into a product that satisfies these needs. This process is therefore taken by adventurous people ready to take it on. Engineers of product design companies may also be involved at some levels of the project. Before committing the resources and full-scale manufacture, the development process may require a prototype that helps to prove that the framework at hand or the technologies being used work. Designers will require help from other experts and use specific design stages in order to prevent any potential problems. To prevent iteration in the design process, the designer should also consider factors such as manufacture, sales, purchasing, transport, cost and disposal. Having gone through the design brief and the product design specification (PDS), the design of a new product will consist of the following concepts.  (more…)

When engraving a personalised message onto an item, the message you chose to engrave is important, but equally important is the font you use.

Choosing a font can be an awkward thing at first. It can be hard to imagine what a certain style of text would look like without actually seeing the finished engraving.

When choosing a font look around at different examples. If you are getting an engraving from a specialist, ask to see some examples. Or perhaps ask for his or her opinion on what font would suit the engraved message. Someone who has a lot of experience engraving words is sure to have a good eye for a font.

Some font styles you could chose from are:

Edwardian Script – An ornate and glamorous font. Great for a surname or initials.

4 Line Roman – A formal font. Suited for business names or room numbers.

El Greco – A unique font. Would suit anything that has a whimsical feel.

Have you ever sat back looking at equipment that has fallen apart thinking that you can design it better? With a rack panel bulk or single order, you will be able to do an upgrade of your space as panels give you the capacity to upgrade any design in your home or office.

Upgrade Your Space with Panels

When what you need is unique panel layouts and model upgrades for custom made engineered enclosures, a rack panel is what you need. When you remodel the console of your car to for the inclusion of a nitrous oxide tank or doing an upgrade on the computer silos mounted on a rack by adding USB inputs on, a front panel design makes these tasks easier to build and produce a great looking finished product. You can create ideal enclosures or panels with the use of free online computer model applications that offer design programs that are state of the art with the use of a computer. Step by step guides for well-designed enclosures and panels are available for you to build your customized device. Whether you are building a complex panel with bevels, an aftermath panel for a boat switch or customized outputs and inputs, available programs you can follow yourself can help you accomplish these tasks. (more…)

Laser engraving is a versatile technology. Effectively, anything can be engraved, but whether the engraving will last on that surface for a long period of time is a different story.

Metals are the common choice of surface for an engraving. But even some metals will not keep an engraving image intact. Certain metals are soft and as they are worn or exposed to the air the engraving will begin to fade.

So what are the most effective metals to engrave on? Well the recommended list is: Aluminium, brass, carbide metal, chrome, cobalt, gold, steel, zinc, coated metals, copper, platinum, tin, eloxal, silver and titanium.

These are all hard-wearing metals which will not be damaged by the laser as its cutting. They are also resistant to anything that may affect the surface of the metal, such as the weather or changes in temperature. These metals will keep an image, name or serial code visible for years.

Product design consultancy mainly involves the provision of expert knowledge as well as proper guidance to clients interested in designing personalised conceptualised products. The relevant knowledge is provided through a series of structured paths making sure that the final design is not only robust, within budget and truly innovative but also safe.

In fact, regardless of whether you are looking to create new merchandise or simply looking to refresh the design of a particular item, make sure that the design process follows a path characterised by comprehensive research and is driven by prototyping, serious engineering works and in-depth analysis.  (more…)

Traditionally, engraving is the practice of inscribing or etching a flat surface by physically cutting grooves into it. These grooves form the image of the engraving, different strokes and techniques can be applied to create varying textures and forms within the image.

When the image is complete the finished engraving can then used to produce prints, or just be left at this stage and remain a metal engraving. In order for prints to be made a layer of ink is applied to the engraving (or plate as it is known at this stage). This ink is then wiped down and cleaned up ready to be pressed onto a piece of paper. Pressing involves putting the inked plate and the paper together inside a press. The press applies pressure to the two, pressing the ink into the paper for a clean finish.

Pressing and creating prints is usually used within the arts for final pieces of work. The engraving itself produces a clean cut image or text which is enough for most modern requirements.

The new advances in technology lead the trends in online business. Such is the case of laser cut pieces that bend technology and art. This trend has permeated home and industrial design, as well as the fashion world.

What began with perforated metal’s conservative use has developed to encompass many new applications, with designs cut into a wide range of materials, including metals as well as timber as well. The interest in laser processing systems is growing due to new developments in materials and improvements in technology. For this reason more applications are coming within the market.

Advanced technology means fibre optics enhanced lasers can quickly cut thicker aluminium or almost any kind of material. Designers as well as entrepreneurs are realising today that their only restriction is their own imagination. They are rushing to adopt this new technology and many laser cutting in UK companies have come to embrace the trend and have been launched in the market in the past couple of years. The increasingly popularity of the new designs has made this small business sector to grow fast. (more…)