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Stone Engraving Machine : Ultimate FAQ Guide

Author:Dafon Kerbstone Machine FROM:Stone Machine Manufacturer TIME:2024-07-17

1.What’s stone engraving machine?


The stone engraving machine is a multifunctional machine that can accurately engrave various hard materials such as stone, crystal, wood, etc. In addition to the traditional relief and engraving functions, modern CNC engraving machines can also realize complex processing methods such as hollowing and cutting. The wide application areas of this equipment include garden engineering, stele engraving, stone carving, handicrafts, etc., providing efficient and accurate processing technology for the production of these fields. At the same time, the emergence of stone CNC engraving machines has greatly improved production efficiency and saved labor costs, becoming an indispensable and important equipment in modern process manufacturing.

 

2. How many type of stone engraving machine?

There are several types of stone engraving machines, including:

Laser engraving machines:

use a focused beam of light to remove material from the surface of the stone. engrave intricate designs onto the surface of the stone 

CNC engraving machines:

use a computer-controlled router to carve the stone. This can create very deep and intricate engravings, and it can be used on a wider variety of stones.

Handheld engraving tools: These tools are used for small-scale engraving projects and require manual operation by the user.

 


3.what types of stones can you engrave?

Stone engraving machines are incredibly versatile and capable of processing a wide range of materials due to their ability to switch between different cutting materials. Here's a summary of their common applications:

Granite: Headstones, countertops, flooring, paving stones

Marble: Sculptures, flooring, wall paneling, decorative accents

Slate: Roofing, flooring, wall cladding, paving stones

Basalt: Paving stones, curbstones, countertops, architectural features

Cobblestone: Walkways, driveways, decorative accents, interior flooring

Ceramic: Tiles, sanitaryware, tableware, decorative items

Natural and Engineered Stone: Countertops, flooring, wall cladding, decorative accents

laser cutting machine for stone.jpg

4.how to engrave a stone?

1. Preparation

1.1 Programming

Open the engraving programming software, design the engraving pattern as needed or import the ready-made pattern file.

Select the appropriate tool and processing parameters according to different stone types, hardness, thickness and other factors.

For relief processing, it is necessary to use a special relief generation software to generate a three-dimensional model and import it into the engraving programming software.

Set the engraving path in the software, including the tool's motion trajectory, processing depth, overlap rate, line spacing and other parameters.

Save the programmed file in a format that can be recognized by the engraving machine control system, such as G code or NC file.

1.2 Output file and connect the engraving machine

Transfer the saved engraving file to the engraving machine control system software.

Check whether the connection between the engraving machine and the computer is normal to ensure that the communication is correct.

Open the engraving machine control system software and load the engraving file.

1.3 Check and fix the workpiece

Clean the engraving machine work surface to ensure that there are no debris, stone particles, dust, etc. that affect the flat placement of the workpiece.

Place the workpiece correctly on the work surface according to the placement direction set in the typesetting software.

Confirm that the workpiece is parallel to the direction of movement of the machine to avoid skewed placement.

Use a pressure plate or other means to firmly fix the workpiece on the work surface to avoid looseness during processing and affecting the accuracy.

1.4 Determine the origin of the workpiece

Perform the tool setting operation to align the tip of the engraving machine with the origin of the coordinate system of the workpiece.

Tool setting methods usually include manual tool setting and automatic tool setting.

Manual tool setting requires the operator to manually fine-tune the position of the tool tip until it is aligned with the origin of the workpiece.

Automatic tool setting uses photoelectric sensors or other sensing devices to automatically identify the surface of the workpiece and align the tool tip with the origin.

1.5 Check the water path and adjust parameters

Check whether the water spray system and water circulation system of the engraving machine are working properly to ensure cooling and lubrication effects.

Adjust the speed and feed speed of the engraving machine according to factors such as the material of the stone and the processing depth.

Perform simulation operation in the engraving machine control system software to ensure that the processing path and parameters are correct.

2. Engraving

Start the engraving machine and start the processing process.

Observe the operation of the engraving machine, and promptly detect and handle abnormal situations, such as broken tools, loose workpieces, waterway failures, etc.

For complex engraving patterns, it may be necessary to process in sections, and check the effect after each section is processed.

3. Processing completed

After engraving, turn off the engraving machine and wait for the workpiece to cool.

Remove the workpiece and clean the dust and debris on the surface of the stone.

Perform fine processing on reliefs or other parts that need to be touched up, such as polishing, grinding, etc.

 stone engraving machine


5.What is the best machine for engraving stone?

According to the above demand analysis, stone engraving machines can be divided into two main types:

It is necessary to recommend the corresponding engraving machine according to the customer's engraving needs:

1. Used for engraving tombstones, stone tablets, crafts and other flat stones, the patterns are mainly text, lines, and logos. Use a flat stone engraving machine. This engraving machine has a large workbench area and can process large-sized stones; it has high engraving accuracy and is suitable for expressing delicate patterns; it is simple to operate and easy to learn and use.

2. Used for engraving three-dimensional stones such as stone carvings, portraits, reliefs, etc., the patterns are usually more complex and require multi-axis linkage control. It is necessary to purchase a CNC stone engraving machine that can achieve multi-angle three-dimensional engraving to meet the needs of complex pattern processing; it has high engraving accuracy and can express fine details and layers; some models have automatic tool changing functions to improve work efficiency.

 engraving on stone

6.What machine engraves headstones?

Laser engraving machines are particularly suitable for tombstone engraving due to their high precision and high efficiency. They can not only perform detailed engraving on hard materials such as marble and granite, but also achieve complex patterns and text engraving. The advantages of laser engraving machines include:

High precision: The laser beam is able to perform extremely fine operations, ensuring that every detail can be accurately engraved on the tombstone.

High efficiency: The laser engraving process is fast and can complete complex designs in a short time.

Versatility: It is suitable for a variety of materials, including marble, granite, glass and wood.

Non-contact processing: Laser engraving is a non-contact processing method that does not produce mechanical stress on the material surface, ensuring the integrity of the material.

These features make laser engraving machines an ideal choice for tombstone engraving, providing customers with high-quality engraving works.

 stone engraving machine

7.how do engrave rocks?

Engraving rocks can be done using various methods, depending on the tools and techniques available. Here are some common methods:

1. Hand Engraving

Tools: Chisels, hammers, and other manual carving tools.

Technique: Mark the design on the rock's surface and use the chisel and hammer to carve out the design. This method requires skill and precision and is often used for intricate, detailed work.

2. Rotary Tool Engraving

Tools: Rotary tool with diamond-tipped or carbide bits.

Technique: Draw or stencil the design on the rock, then use the rotary tool to etch the design into the surface. This method is suitable for smaller, more detailed designs.

3. Sandblasting

Tools: Sandblaster, stencil material, and abrasive medium.

Technique: Create a stencil of the design and place it on the rock. Use the sandblaster to etch the design by blasting abrasive material onto the exposed areas of the rock. This method is often used for larger designs and produces a clean, professional finish.

4. Laser Engraving Machine

Tools: Laser Engraving Machine

Technique: Prepare the rock by cleaning its surface, then place it in the laser engraver. Use the software to input the design, and the laser engraver will precisely etch the design onto the rock. This method is highly accurate and suitable for detailed work on various types of stones.

5. CNC Stone Engraving Machine

Tools: CNC milling machine with diamond or carbide bits.

Technique: Create a digital design using CAD software, then set up the CNC machine to carve the design into the rock. This method is ideal for precise and repeatable engravings, often used for commercial applications.

 

8.What’s features of stone engraving machine?

Stable structure

Integrated frame structure: The frame adopts an integrated design with good rigidity to ensure long-term use without deformation.

High processing accuracy

High-precision, high-performance two-door electric spindle: Equipped with a high-performance electric spindle, it has low vibration during processing and high rotation accuracy to ensure processing quality.

Linear guide: All major motion guides are designed with linear guides, which have low resistance and high precision, improving the overall accuracy of processing.

Advanced control system

Convenient operation: A variety of tools are designed for workpiece clamping to facilitate user operation and improve work efficiency.

Tool cooling: The tool cooling system is flexible, and external cooling or internal cooling can be selected as needed to ensure tool life and processing quality.

Perfect functions

Versatility: The machine has multiple functions and can meet various complex stone processing needs, improving the practicality and scope of application of the equipment.

These characteristics enable the stone engraving machine to play an important role in high-precision and high-efficiency stone processing and meet various high-standard processing needs.

2.What Are The Common Parts Of AStone Engraving Machine?

Motorized spindle

The spindle is the most important component of the engraving machine, and its power has a significant impact on engraving efficiency and quality. When carving stone, it is recommended to use a spindle with a power of 5.5KW. Some manufacturers on the market are equipped with 2.2KW or 3KW spindles. These low-power spindles are less efficient and insufficient in engraving stone, and will affect the service life of the spindle.

Body of machine

The so-called light stone engraving machine has more problems when engraving stone. These machines use less materials, the welded steel pipes are thin, and the legs supporting the fuselage are also relatively thin steel pipes. They have little contact surface with the ground, low load-bearing capacity, and are unstable during movement. If it is only used to carve ordinary stone slabs of two to three centimeters, there will not be a big problem. However, if it is used to carve heavier tombstones, the fuselage table will be easily deformed, and the lightweight fuselage is also prone to shaking when carving granite.

Guide

There are two types of guide rails for engraving machines: square rails and round rails. Square rails have great advantages in speed, stability, fineness and service life. Although the price is relatively high, it is still recommended to use square rails to obtain better engraving effects.

 engraving on stone

9.What factors should I consider when buying a stone engraving machine?

1.Material Compatibility: Discuss the importance of considering the type of stone you'll work with. Explain how stone hardness and brittleness influence the machine's choice. For instance, harder stones might necessitate a more powerful CNC machine, while softer stones might be compatible with a laser engraver.

2.Project Requirements: Emphasize the importance of considering the size and complexity of your engravings. Large-scale projects or those requiring deep cuts might be better suited for CNC machines, while intricate designs or shallow markings might benefit from the precision of a laser engraver.

3.Budgetary Constraints: Acknowledge that stone engraving machines are an investment. Provide a realistic range for CNC and laser machines, emphasizing that specific features and brands can influence the final cost.

4.Machine Features: Discuss essential features to consider when selecting a machine. Mention factors like work area size to accommodate your projects, power source compatibility with your workshop, and a dust collection system for a clean and safe working environment.

 

10.What’s different between cnc stone engraving machine and laser engraving machine ?

Principle

CNC Stone Engraving Machine is a machine that realizes engraving processing through a computer control system. It uses high-precision sensors to detect the surface of an object and automatically engraves according to a pre-set program. Common tools used in CNC engraving machines include milling cutters, carving knives, etc., which achieve engraving effects by cutting the surface of an object.

Laser Engraving Machine is a machine that uses laser beams to process materials. It uses a laser to generate a high-energy laser beam, and by controlling the intensity and position of the laser beam on the surface of the material, the surface of the material evaporates, oxidizes or produces a chemical reaction, thereby achieving an engraving effect.

Applicable materials

CNC Stone Engraving Machine is suitable for a variety of materials, such as stone machinery, aluminum alloy, composite panels, etc. It can achieve precise cutting and engraving, and is widely used in industrial manufacturing, handicraft processing, mold manufacturing and other fields.

Laser Engraving Machine is suitable for a wider range of materials, including wood and stone. The laser engraving machine can achieve a more refined engraving effect with its high-energy laser beam. Therefore, laser engraving machines are widely used in sign making, souvenir customization and other fields

Application areas

CNC Stone Engraving Machine is more suitable for precision cutting and complex shape engraving due to the characteristics of its cutting tools. CNC engraving machines can help stone processing plants achieve high-efficiency production and ensure product quality and precision.

Laser Engraving Machine is more suitable for non-contact marking and engraving. In the advertising industry, laser engraving machines can be used to make various styles of signboards and billboards. At the same time, in the gift customization and jewelry industry, laser engraving machines can achieve fine textures and personalized designs to meet users' needs for unique products.

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