The actual technology that goes into todays laser engraver began to be developed in the early 1960s. It was back then that scientists and research engineers discovered that a high energy light source could be created, focused and used for various means.

Creating Light From a Gas

The gases that are used to create the original light source have a lot to do with the how a laser performs and by the way CO2 gas is used in laser engravers. So how is light created from a gas? It’s quite simple. They are created by agitating the molecules in the gas in an enclosed container, just the same way that light is generated from a neon light bulb.

A Far Cleaner and Safer Engraving Process

Laser engraving is often referred to a laser etching and unlike most all conventional methods of engraving or etching, no mask is required. That’s because unlike other methods of etching, no harsh chemicals or high temperatures are used in the laser engraving process.

The Capacity For Delicate Precision Work

Laser engraving also has many other inherent benefits when compared to standard engraving techniques. For instance, the actaul beam lends itself to far more precision work. Thus even very small and delicate items can be etched on with a laser engraver.

Other Benefits Of the Laser Engraving Process

Unlike other standard methods of engraving or etching, a laser engraver generates no dust or leaves no chemical residue. Also engraving on uneven surfaces is far more easily done by laser engraving. Thats because a light beam is far more easy to manipulate around and across these types of surfaces.

Transferring Images With a Laser Engraver

Amazingly, new technologies have been developed that allow people to automatically transfer images to surfaces with a laser engraver. The image is simply loaded into the engravers memory and with simply touch of a button the image is automatically engraved as it is on the surface of an object.

It is mandatory for the UID registration products to have unique identification marks on them before they are submitted to the UID registry. The UID laser marking techniques bear huge significance for the marking procedures. As per the mandate of DoD the product identification must be directly as well as permanently marked on the surface of the part. As direct part marking and permanent identification are crucial to enhance traceability of the items, a reliable marking procedure is worth considering. Among all the identification marking technique for the UID registration products, UID laser marking is regarded as the most efficient and accurate one.

UID Markings for UID Registration Products

It is essential for the UID registration products to have the UID labels that comply with the UID policy. The marking is done with 2D data matrix codes that are encrypted to the surface of the products. The data of the UID labels are encoded with a specific language and format to be etched on to the surface. While scanning the data of the items, the codes are decoded with the help of Automatic Identification Technology. The coding and decoding technology of the laser marking system ensure highest level of security for the products.

Advantages of Laser Marking for UID Registration Products

The UID mark validation and the UID quality verification that comply with MIL-STD-130M have to undergo several techniques. To ensure that the marks on the UID registration products are legible for the life of the product, the DoD has implemented UID policy for the contractors. The immense popularity of the laser marking procedure is due to its benefits over the other methods of labeling.

The data required for the marking include enterprise identifier and unique number of the items. The higher resolution capacity of the UID laser marking enables embedding of more data in the UID mark.
Other marking techniques such as chemical etching, silk screening, mechanical engraving, pad printing, and some of the other low-quality methods are can not be considered as environment-friendly methods. On the other hand laser marking is surely an organic option to all these things that reduces carbon footprints.
Laser engraving and laser marking are exclusive techniques of identifying as well as decorating the UID registration products.
Other benefits of laser marking for UID registration products

The 2D data matrix symbols help the DoD in

boosting the inventory accuracy
sourcing the items on property accurately
enhancing access to lifespan of items and part history during design
decreasing workforce burden through increased productivity and efficiency
reducing inventory management cost
one of the most noteworthy aspects of laser marking is it can imprint the marks on any surface including auto parts, glass, plastics, pharmaceutical tablets, stainless steel, crystal, et all.

The UID verification of the UID registration products are changing faster and becoming more complex. Hence, the contractors and the suppliers need to understand the mandate of the DoD to comply with the UID program. UID laser marking can provide end to end solution for the requirements of UID registration.

It’s a fact that a laser that is powerful enough can cut through virtually anything. Also because laser cutters generate no friction, they also generate no heat while they are cutting, thus they require no coolant or cutting oil.
 
 Far Less Power To Operate
 
 Laser cutters also create no dust when they cut and create a cut line that is almost negligible. Also newer lasers cutters require far less power to operate than lasers of the past and are also more compact and mobile.
 
 Smaller, More Affordable Laser Cutters
 
 These are just a few of the reasons why laser cutters are finding their way into smaller shops and businesses that in the past would have found them far too expensive to afford. So why would a shop owner acquire a laser cutter when there are already conventional cutters in the tool cabinet?
 
 Cut Clean Lines Through Odd Shaped Objects
 
 One thing that laser cutters can do that conventional cutters can’t is do clean cuts through on odd shaped objects. Also being that laser cutters generate no dust, complex conversions and adaptations are incredibly quicker and easier to do.
 
 Lasers For Hole punching and Engraving
 
 This means that complex pieces of delicate machinery can be cut without being disassembled. Also clean straight lines can be cut directly through, no matter what shape an object is or what it is made of. Lasers are also great for hole punching and engraving and once again, they leave no dust or metal shavings in the process.
 
 Create images and Wording On Any Type Of Material
 
 Also new laser engravers can engrave words and images on virtually any type of material. This is why small shop and business owners are  now doing custom mechanical and creative work that they never would have dreamed possible in the past.

Laser engraver is the high technique machine equipment, so it has some needs for the environment.
a. Firstly, you should avoid the strong magnetism and electricity facilities that badly affect the signal transmit of the engraver. for example, shot machine, emanative tower and so on.
b. Secondly, it requires the balanced power supply pressure; the big seesaw of pressure can damage the machine. we suggest you use the regulator.
c. Thirdly, engraver should use the three core electrical source, to insure the engraver earth well, and reduce else disturb.

The process of using laser to engrave and incise is very simple, just like printing on the paper by using computer and printer. You can utilize multiform graph treatment software in the Win98/Win2000/WinXP environment. such as use CorelDraw to design. The scaned-graph, vectorgraph and many kinds of CAD files can easily printed to the engraver. The unique difference is that printing make the ink power draw on the paper, while laser engrave is to send out the laser light to the woodwork , (1)plastic board, metal board and stone material and so on, almost all the materials.

According to the different engrave manners, laser engraver can be distinguished to lattice engrave and vector incise:

Lattice engrave
Lattice engrave seems like high clear lattice print. laser head swing around. Every time engrave a line that composed by a series of points, and then the laser head move around to engrave many lines, in the end ,it forms the whole edition of graphs or words. The scanned-graph, word and vector graph can use the lattice engrave freely.

Vector incise
Other than the lattice engrave, the vector incise process on the graph’s outer profile. We usually use this mode to penetrate incise on the material of timber, paper and (1) and can also carry through striking mark on multi- material’s surface.

The performance of engraver is mainly decided by the engrave speed, engrave strength and facula size.

Engrave speed
The engrave speed indicates the laser head moving speed. Usually show it by IPS(inch/second).High speed brings high production efficiency. Speed can also be used to control the incision deepness. As for the specific laser intensity , the slower the speed is, the greater deepness of incising or engraving. You can adjust the speed by using engraver panel, and also can use the print driving procedure of computer. From 1% to 100% scope, the adjust range is 1%.The advanced moving control system of weld horse machine makes you get the super subtle engrave quality when you at the high speed engrave situation.

Engrave intensity
Engrave intensity indicates the laser’s intensity that send out to the surface of material. As for the specific engrave speed, the greater the intensity is ,the greater deepness of cutting or engraving. You can make use of the engraver panel to adjust the intensity, and also can use the print driving procedure of computer. From 1% to 100% scope, the adjust range is 1%.The stronger intensity equals faster speed and deeper cutting deepness.

Facula size
The size of beam of light and facula can be adjusted by using different focus lens. The small facula lens is imposed to engrave of high resolving ratio. The big facula lens is imposed to engrave of lower resolving ratio, but as for the vector cutting ,it is the best choice. The new facilities’ standard configure is 2.0 inch lens. Its facula size is in the middle, applying to all the situations.

The common engraver can engrave these materials as following:woodwork,organic,glass,metal,panel,glass,stone stuff,crystal,grain endurable,paper,double color board,alumina,leather,pitch and spray mold metal.

for those new to laser technology, buying laser equipment can be an intimidating experience. the word laser often conjures images of danger, mystery, impossible learning curves, and high price tags. however, with the user-friendly, increasingly affordable laser engraving equipment of today, nothing could be further from the truth.

people often think they need to be a laser expert to run a laser engraving system, but a laser engraver works very much like a printer. thus, it is more important to be computer literate than a laser authority. the best laser engravers we know are also the best graphic artists. if you are competent in a graphic arts program, you will learn how to laser engrave very quickly.

if you do not yet know how to run one, it is recommended that you learn one. most users do like coreldraw products, but there are a variety of others as well. use manuals and help menus provided with the program to assist you in your learning curve. also, take advantage of classes offered by local community programs, colleges, computer and software stores, industry trade shows and seminars. additionally, you can find help online at various websites. once you are comfortable with the software, your learning curve for laser engraving will be very short. basically, a laser engraving system works much like a big laser jet printer recreating the information that is sent to it. that is why artwork generation is the key to successful laser engraving. taking the time to learn to use your graphics program and using it properly will pay big dividends in your overall engraving results.

the choices
once you decide that laser technology is right for you, you will need to make some choices. machine differences include the manufacturer, wattage of the laser, table size, options and price.

the manufacturer
there are an increasing number of companies currently manufacturing laser engraving equipment. you can find them in industry directories, trade journals, trade shows, and online searches. each of these companies manufacture equipment using the same laser technology but with some variations. typically, we recommend that purchasers stick with companies that have been in business for some time and that have a good reputation. over the years, we have seen a variety of laser engraving manufacturers come in to the marketplace and go just as quickly. it is also important to have a sense of what you will be using your system for and what kind of machine you really need. narrowing it down to the type of laser system you need will limit the number of manufacturers you want to consider. once you have identified these manufacturers, you can contact them about your needs, request product literature, and ask to see a demonstration. trade shows can also be a viable option for viewing several machines in the same place for quick and easy comparisons. whenever possible, have them demonstrate the system on your parts or what you anticipate will be your most common job(s). ask questions and make sure you understand what you are getting for your money. whenever possible, talk to current owners and operators of similar equipment. find out how they feel about, not only the equipment, but about the company they bought it from. some engravers also start out by using a job shop initially to give them a sense of the process and the market.

the wattage
like light bulbs, lasers for engraving are described by their wattage. simply put, higher wattage means more power, and more power means faster run times and greater capabilities. unfortunately, it also means a higher price tag. one of the biggest decisions you will make when choosing a laser engraving system is deciding how much power you need. todays equipment comes in a variety of power choices, typically from 10 watts to 120 watts and more. when determining power needs, keep in mind there might be a difference between being able to process a certain material, and being able to do it at speeds that are profitable. make sure you have enough power to do the jobs you want to do now (and consider future growth potential) and invest in the highest wattage machine you can afford. also, because lasers do periodically need to be recharged, it is best to know upfront the projected life expectancy of the laser, how the manufacturer handles the recharge, and the projected cost.

the options
options for the machine are equally important. much of what you will need depends on what you will be using your machine for. making sure the table size is adequate for your needs is important to consider as well. again, remember to consider future needs. additionally, there are several options available that you can purchase with your system and some may possibly be added at a later date. a popular option is air assist. this is an optional attachment, on some systems, that allows for a constant stream of compressed air to cross the engraving and cutting surface at the point of burn. this process is ideal for deep, clean engraving and cutting. auto focus is another popular feature and now comes standard on many models. this allows for the automatic focus of the lens on the area to be engraved. another current option is the red dot pointer, which will give you a visual of where the laser beam is focused. you can laser process without one but many users appreciate having them.

for the engraving on curved or rounded surfaces, consider a rotary attachment. this is a device that is used to rotate curved surfaces so that the laser beam still acts like it is engraving on a flat surface. this is used widely for engraving on glasses, vases, bats, and other curved surfaces.

vector cutting tables are also popular add-ons. these are tables that allow for the material to be cut through without the laser beam reflecting directly off of the tabletop of the machine into the underside of the material. if you are going to be using your machine to do a lot of vector cutting, you definitely want to consider one of these. you will also want to keep in mind that because of laser engravings increasing popularity, it has become a competitive marketplace and new options and designs are continuously being developed that allow for greater speed, versatility, and user friendliness.

warranties, training, support, and more
equally important, you will also want to know how service, warranty, training, and support issues are handled. there is nothing more frustrating than having orders in-house and a machine that is down, and little or not support to assist you. make sure that you know up-front whom to contact with questions or problems; how to contact them, and how effectively such situations are typically handled.

conclusion
it wont be long and you will soon have a sense of the equipment, the options, the company, and the person who is selling the equipment. as with any purchase, feeling good about what you are getting for your money will be the key factor in determining what you buy.

see the options available with cnc routers. sign makers can get into the commercial signage business, for example, or channel letter fabrication. it gives them a broad capability to enter multiple markets.

take a look at your options in the cnc router market and decide if the potential rewards are worth the financial investment. is using computer technology to automate control cutting, drilling and fabricating sign parts worth the investment? which table should i get? what software should i use? cnc routers bring a laundry list of advantages to a growing sign shop. productivity is always a concern in a small business and the ability to add new services, like 3-d engraving, is a potential revenue generator. greater quality and scaling capabilities, of course, are critical. add all these factors together and the result could equal greater profitability for your shop.

focusing on productivity
if you need to make several of the same item, cnc routers are a huge advantage, says marc bourque, president of larken cnc router systems, a cnc router manufacturer in ontario, canada. you can also save job files for repeat jobs.

cnc routers save labor costs, adds tom propes, sales manager for computerized cutters, inc., a cnc router and cnc channel letter fabrication manufacturer in plano, texas. it can save you time. time is money, he says. i can cut out a whole set of letters with a router in the time that it takes to cut out one by hand. you can make money but you can t make time.

expanding your services
beyond productivity, adding new services to your offering could attract new clients and a new revenue stream for your company.

gerber senior product manager scott anthony says sign makers can test their local market by first outsourcing dimensional signage to a larger company.

when you start to outsource about $700 or $800 a month then you want to think about bringing routing in-house so that you can control the product, the quality, and the profits, says anthony. dimensional signage is a strong niche that supplements existing business with higher profit potential.

taking control of in-house routing gives sign makers the capability to do both interior and exterior signage, says ken koelling, president of multicam, a cnc router manufacturer in irving, texas. sign makers can get into the commercial signage business, for example, or channel letter fabrication. it gives them a pretty broad capability to enter multiple markets.

sign making customers of techno-isel, a new hyde park, ny-based division of designatronics, tell company executive vice president george klein that there are many functions they can perform with the cnc router that they hadn t initially considered. the less obvious functions are secondary things like making frames and other things associated with the signs, including bracketry, fixtures, even things like furniture pieces and shelving applications, says klein. so a router is not only a boost to business it s an expansion of the business capabilities.

aiming for higher quality
with clients old and new, quality and consistency are critical to gaining repeat business and building your company s reputation. from this perspective, says bourque, cnc routers are the way to go. the output is high quality because you design it by hand and then depend on computer technology to cut perfect true curves.

then there s the ability to adjust the scaling at the touch of a button. you can draw something up and decide that you want it to be bigger and in a minute you ve got it bigger and ready to cut again, says bourque.

automating for profitability
while quality is key, no shop owner can resist cost-cutting strategies. using a cnc router to automate the cutting process accomplishes this goal while maintaining that ever-so-important quality and consistency.

a lot of times they are already producing components that can be produced on a router and in reality the total cost of ownership becomes less and the parts have higher quality and cost less to produce, says koelling.

now we are back to the bottom line: greater profitability. it s all in the numbers. depending on the substrate, says propes, a carved sign could run up to $150 a square foot. but the material is not nearly that expensive.

you are looking at a vinyl sign that s maybe $15 a foot versus a routed sign that s $150 a foot, he says. true, every customer is not going to choose or be able to afford the routed sign, however, if you don t offer it you ll never sell it.

choosing a router that fits your needs
just like there are different classes of cars, there are different classes of routers. but regardless of the level you choose, you should look for certain features in any machine.

start with ease of use. user-friendliness of both the software and the hardware is a key consideration.

sticking with the industry standard
gerber s routers are designed exclusively for the sign making industry. its best-selling models are the sabre series 404 and 408. the 404 model is a 4 x 4 machine with a feed rate of 600 inches per minute. the 408 model has the same capabilities with a 4 x 8 table.

gerber s anthony says custom engineering and specialized tools differentiate the sabre line from other routers on the market. priced at about $35,000 to $42,000, the sabre models are built with aluminum instead of steel to make a router that is lighter and more rigid.

we are in an industry that uses and abuses equipment and they don t spend any time taking care of their capital equipment, says anthony. we use different drives that require less maintenance and offer software, service and support systems for customers.

if you are a first time router buyer, having application assistance is important, says koelling. application assistance, not only in terms of learning the software most sign making firms are pretty savvy when it comes to graphic design and so the software isn t usually that difficult but the applications and knowledge of specific cutting techniques is real important.

avoiding downtime is a major factor, says bourque. koelling agrees, and stresses the importance of choosing a vendor that can provide service to its hardware.

choose a size that s going to fit in your space and that s going to be suitable for the type of work that you are doing or want to do, and then selecting a supplier of that machine that s going to be able to give them local service, says koelling. that s something a lot of people forget.

customers should concentrate on quality. you have to educate yourself as to what is on the market, says klein. you ve got to be careful now because there s an awful lot of companies pretending to make routers. let the buyer beware.

getting a glimpse of the market
there are lots of cnc routers out there. let s look at a select few that represent different ranges in the market. multicam is one of the leading manufacturers of cnc routers, installing more than 3,000 machines worldwide. multicam has 12 technology centers throughout the u.s. to provide local support, repair service, sales and application training. multicam routers offer a rigid, all steel construction and a robust platform for high-speed, ethernet-based cutting.

their m series is specifically designed for the needs of the sign industry. the entry-level system features the adaptation of i-cut vision systems so the machine can be easily integrated into digital printing on rigid substrates. the prices range from $30,000-$60,000 depending on the dimensions of the table.

koelling points to the design s user-friendliness as a key attraction for sign makers, an important consideration when training employees. we ve condensed the user interface to very basic functions, so it s not intimidating to learn, says koelling. that s really why they are so prolific. it s more difficult than a vinyl cutter because of the technique, but the functionality of the machine is not much more difficult.

examining all the options
larken s cnc routers are mid-level machines. the product geared toward the sign industry is called shopcam and the model has been redesigned for 2002. the latest shopcam is a turnkey 3-axis system that offers features typically found only on more expensive models. the system is based on a steel frame and gantry, welded for maximum rigidity and machined for accuracy. one new improvement is the installation of quality round star rails and star ball-bearing bushings for precision and longer life.

we went back to proven technology, says bourque. we had the basic screw before. basically, it s go all the way with the screw or don t go at all because you need to have a big, heavy duty ball screw or it s not going to work for you. if you go with the big screws you are talking about much more expensive machines.

larken s cnc routers sell for as little as $18,000 for a 4×5 table and run up to $30,000 for a 5×10 model. larken s reputation for manufacturing tables that are built to last has made the shopcam a favorite among sign makers.

assessing price versus features
next up is computerized cutters accu-cut. propes says this machine fills the gap between the $6,000 and $30,000 table. computerized cutters sells its machines direct to the consumer in sizes ranging from 4×4 to 10×25. we don t offer a lot of the whistles and bells that some of the other companies offer. however, a lot of those whistles and bells are never purchased anyway, says propes. an automatic tool changer is a good example. you can have several different bits for a job and the machine would automatically grab the bit and do that particular function. typically, those sell for $25,000. i don t know of a sign shop that i ve ever visited in 10 years that has an automatic tool changer. we don t feel it s necessary.

computerized cutters machine runs at $20,000 plus shipping. the company keeps its costs down by eliminating the controller card that takes information from the computer to the machine. the company instead took a software product designed for the engraving industry, developed it further, and uses a desktop computer to run the table. suppose i want to upgrade my operating system, says propes. i can download it over the internet. i don t have to go out and buy a $3,000 control card. you can buy a nice dell computer for $800-$900. it s very easy to use, too, instead of having an lcd screen with a lot of sub-menus, you have a 17 computer screen.

getting the biggest bang for your buck
assessing price versus features helps ensure you get the biggest bang for your buck. techno-isel is trying to further that goal with the introduction of two new cnc router models designed to address the needs of sign industry market that is demanding the ability to perform more high-end applications. techno-isel s lc (low cost) line of 4×8 routers sell for $14,000. klein says the lc model is built to the same standards as the high-end premium class router system, with all steel construction. pricing for the super heavyweight premium class machine starts at $35,000 and offers all the bells and whistles growing sign shops could hope for, with ball screw drives on all three axis to provide a high degree of accuracy, repeatability and longevity. the heavier the machine is, says klein, the more stable it is in terms of its rigidity and its capability of taking heavy cuts without flexing or bending.

making the final decision
armed with the basic facts, you can make a final decision about cnc routers for your shop. keep in mind that there are plenty of other companies with similar products at similar prices. and if it s that initial investment that is keeping you from taking the plunge, remember that most companies do have leasing programs to help you get one of these machines in your shop. monthly payments on cnc routers average about $400 the price of one or two sales.

the advantages are clear. the equipment is available. whether its worth the risk is up to you.

a) engraving rubber board for paper box printing
most laser engraver can engrave on rubber board, it s unnecessary for you to choose multifunctional and speedy machine, because firstly, most function can be used; secondly, faster speed, more shallow engraved depth, can t meet the demand of printing.
recommend: purchase suitable laser machine for engraving rubber board, with low price and fast return.

b) engraving craftwork
most laser engravers can engrave craftwork and purchase is based on application.
engraving bamboo, wood, and notion: small machine, like size of 300*400mm, with low price and high precision. engraving wooden box and wine box: size of 500*70mm and 600*900mm, with up and down working table for long box to be put in.
engraving bamboo: size of 500×700mm and 600×900mm, with up and down working table and rotating unit.
engraving large format wood: size of 600*900mm, with up and down working table, and open through front and back door for putting large wooden board.
engraving new year card: size of 500*700mm and 600*900mm, with working table for cutting, and fast speed for paper not be burnt during working process.

c) cutting acrylic
most laser engravers can cut acrylic, but it s better for you to use special laser cutting machine, of which the optimized design is specialized in cutting and cutting effect is very good. if you insist on buying common laser engraving machine, it s very necessary to buy the machine with knife shape working table.
note: don t believe 60w or 80w laser power can cut 20mm acrylic, it is impossible. even the acrylic is cut through, the edge is extremely awful.
normal value is: 60w laser power can cut 8-10mm acrylic, 80w laser power can cut 8-15mm acrylic.

d) engraving and cutting costume and leather
purchase laser engraving machine with fast speed and honeycomb working table.

do you have questions about cnc machining? get inside the head of router expert jay higgins in this one-on-one interview.

getting the most bang for your router bucks takes a little bit of homework and a lot of practice. we cant put in the hours of practice for you, but we can provide you with advice straight from the mouth of leading industry experts.

jay higgins is one such expert. higgins came to the sign world in 1993 from the cnc manufacturing industry. with more than 20 years of cnc machining to his credit, higgins is uniquely positioned with a broad understanding of cnc tools, hardware and software. higgins is currently the general manager of capital letters in brooklen center, minn. and a respected cnc routing consultant.

signindustry.com asked jay some questions that will help you reach new heights in cnc routing.

q: in your mind, what are the biggest advantages for sign makers using routers?

a:
the biggest advantages of cncs in the sign industry are speed, accuracy and repeatability. cnc s also allow you to custom rout metal forms to help aid your fabricators in the creation of custom shaped aluminum constructed signs. this is a great advantage for modern sign companies. what was a tedious and manual chore of laying out patterns on aluminum and then jig saw cutting to get your custom shape, is now simply a matter of sending them to the cnc router to be cut.

q: what are the most common mistakes sign makers are struggling with today?

a:
the most common mistake is a lack of knowledge of basic machine principals. also, the lack of knowledge of how to properly fixture your material to the table, as well as the availability of tools you can use to get the job done.

q: would you recommend that sign makers who have never used a router seek more formal training and education beyond what the manufacturer offers?

a:
all people interested in utilizing cnc routing in sign manufacturing should take some sort of course at a nearby community college to better familiarize themselves with some basic machining skills. unfortunately, very few schools offer this kind of training. i have worked with the minnesota sign association in regard to this matter to bring it to the attention of local technical schools so that hopefully it can be a course that is offered to people in the graphics industry.

q: how about sharing some practical tips for preparation? for example, which router bits works best with which materials?

a:
tools and materials are very important things to experiment with. a good rule of thumb: always use the largest diameter tool to rout the job that is allowable, and, always use the shortest flute length for maximum rigidity.

q: what about router speeds? what speeds work best with various materials, like aluminum, high-density urethane, sign foam, etc.?

a:
speeds and feeds are directly related to the horsepower motor that you are using, as well as the type coolant system, and the coolant that is being used. a common mistake of most people is to slow down the feed rate and speed up the rpm. big mistake. generally, it will create too much heat and thus melt/weld the material.

q: which materials respond best to routing?

a:
some materials are more forgiving than others are when routing. each material has its own set up procedure and feeds and speeds as well as the proper tool to be used.

q: are there certain types of materials that sign makers should avoid when using the router?

a:
materials to avoid include those that have a great deal of glue in them, certain irons, as well as stainless steel, as there are electrical discharge concerns there.

q: what do you see in terms of upcoming trends in materials? are there new materials being designed with cnc routing in mind?

a:
i make it a point to continuously contact my suppliers and the manufactures of sign making materials to see what s being developed that can possibly be used to rout on the cnc router. i have also been selected to rout such test materials to give my evaluation of them. i don t know of too many new materials out there right now that are being developed specifically for the cnc router.

q: how can sign makers more effectively utilize digital printing in conjunction with routed sign parts? any practical tips there?

a:
using digital prints in conjunction with cnc routing is a relatively easy thing to do when they are in small formats. the problem with cnc routing a large formatvector shape to match a digital print is that the digital printer will often distort the digital print disproportionately so that it does not match up easily with the vector cut shape. allow plenty of bleed to the digital print, especially when the digital print is printed in more than one run.

q: how can sign makers more effectively match files together?

a:
file conversion and being able to recognize file extensions are very important learned skills. some filters in design programs shrink, distort, and interpret objects, text, and shapes differently. example: some .dxf files may look to have complete arcs but are really ploy lines or line segments that might not produce the outline shapes that you want.

q: what is the best method for realigning a double-sided sign on a router in order to cut out the other side?

a:
i personally like to rout double-sided signs in two pieces and them join them together back to back. this, of course, must mean that the shapes are symmetrical. if this is not an option, scoring an outline in your waste board, or building a contoured jig may be the answer. dowel pins may be another way of realigning the shapes to the table as well from side to side.

q: moving on to finishing techniques, which seems to be challenging to many sign makers coming from a vinyl background, under what circumstances should sign makers pre-paint a blank?

a:
whenever it is possible to pre-paint a blank, do it. apply your mask afterwards and rout the images as needed. this will allow you to fill in the areas you have just routed without worrying about slopping the paint all over the pre-painted areas.

q: what primers work best with various materials?

a:
i prefer to use a latex-based primer with sign foams. with aluminum, i prefer a self-etching primer. for pvcs, acrylics and foams generally do not require a primer, but roughing the surface does help the paint to take hold of the material.

q: what about work flow strategy? any practical tips there?

a:
always prepare for the next job coming down the pike. group your jobs based upon material, tools, and set up procedures.

q: can you offer any other dos and donts or practical tips in terms of driving the most creativity and profit out of the router?

a:
know what you can do with your router and inform your sales staff what you are capable of producing. nothing is more embarrassing than selling a job for the router that cannot be produced and then changing the layout or materials after the job has been sold to enable you to produce the product. always insist upon a layout before quoting a job over the phone.

q: can you offer some pricing tips?

a:
because of varying demographics, pricing should be based upon what you can produce and what your competitors can produce. every job is different, especially for the cnc router. know your materials and the speeds and feeds you can achieve and base your pricing upon that. when it comes to sign foam signs, $35 to $40 per square foot for finishing is a healthy number.

q: lots of sign makers spend their money on the machine, but then dont invest in the tools. what tools would you recommend as essentials?

a:
only buy solid carbide or carbide tipped tools. due to the coolant system found on most cnc s, high speed steel tools generally will not last as long as carbide. the proper size collet for the shank of the tool is a greatly overlooked consideration. the collet size should match the shank size of the tool. sleeving is ok, but rigidity is lost when this is done and, depending upon the material being routed, this could be a finish and quality concern.