Engravings are one of the most popular CNC applications: whether nameplates, lettering, logos or artistic decorations. With the right tools and settings, you achieve razor-sharp results.
Engraving Techniques at a Glance
V-Carving (V-Engraving)
The premier technique in CNC engraving. A V-shaped milling cutter produces lettering and patterns of variable depth: wide areas become deeper, narrow ones stay shallow.
Advantages:
- Elegant, classic appearance
- Scalable: the same milling cutter for different sizes
- Ideal for lettering and fine patterns
Typical tools:
- V-groove cutter 30°, 60° or 90°
- Acute angle = finer detail, but deeper
- Obtuse angle = more robust, shallower engraving
Line Engraving (Stroke Engraving)
A small milling cutter or engraving cutter follows contours, much like a pen.
Advantages:
- Uniform line width
- Good for technical markings
- Fast for simple patterns
Typical tools:
- Small end mill (0.5–2 mm)
- Engraving cutter
Relief Engraving (3D Engraving)
A three-dimensional relief is worked out of a surface.
Advantages:
- Impressive 3D effects
- Artistic design possible
Typical tools:
- Ball nose end mill for a fine surface finish
- Flat end mill for roughing
Tools for Engraving
V-Groove Cutters
| Angle | Properties | Application |
|---|---|---|
| 30° | Very fine, deep engraving | Small lettering, details |
| 60° | Good compromise | Universal, signs |
| 90° | Robust, shallow engraving | Large letters, soft materials |
| 120° | Very shallow | Suggestion only, wide lettering |
Engraving Cutters
Single-edge tools with a defined tip. Well suited to fine lines in metal and plastic.
Mini End Mills
Small end mills (0.5–2 mm) for uniform line widths and pocket engraving.
Material-Specific Tips
Engraving Wood
- Preparation: Sand the surface, remove dust
- Tool: V-groove cutter 60°, well sharpened
- Parameters: High spindle speed (18,000–24,000), moderate feed rates
- Finish: Oil or varnish after engraving for contrast
- Tip: Apply dark stain to the engraving, then sand it off: the letters stand out
Engraving Plastic
- Two-layer plastic: Ideal: mill away the top layer, the lower layer appears
- Acrylic: High spindle speed, do not linger in one spot (risk of melting)
- Parameters: Fast and continuous
- Finish: Polish the edges if necessary
Engraving Metal
- Aluminium: Well suited, even better with lubrication
- Brass: Excellent for engraving, nicer contrast
- Stainless steel: Demanding, a cemented carbide engraving cutter is required
- Parameters: Lower spindle speeds, adjusted feed rates
Parameters for Different Materials
| Material | Spindle speed | Feed rate | Depth | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Softwood | 20,000–24,000 | 2000–3000 mm/min | 0.5–2 mm | Sharp tool |
| Hardwood | 18,000–22,000 | 1500–2500 mm/min | 0.3–1.5 mm | Slower, otherwise risk of burning |
| Acrylic | 20,000–24,000 | 2500–4000 mm/min | 0.5–2 mm | Do not linger in one spot |
| Two-layer plastic | 18,000–22,000 | 2000–3000 mm/min | 0.3–0.8 mm | Break through the top layer only |
| Aluminium | 15,000–20,000 | 800–1500 mm/min | 0.1–0.5 mm | With lubrication |
| Brass | 12,000–18,000 | 600–1200 mm/min | 0.1–0.3 mm | Excellent results |
Software for Engraving
V-Carving Software
- VCarve (Vectric): Best V-carving features on the market
- Estlcam: Low-cost, simple, V-carving built in
- Fusion 360: With 2D engraving function
- F-Engrave: Free, specialised in engraving
Fonts and Designs
- Use vector fonts (no pixel fonts)
- Serif fonts work well for V-carving
- Observe the minimum size: too small becomes illegible
Typical Problems and Solutions
| Problem | Cause | Solution |
|---|---|---|
| Blurred edges | Blunt tool, wrong parameters | Change the tool, adjust the parameters |
| Uneven depth | Material not flat, Z zero point wrong | Face the surface flat, check the zero point |
| Tear-out in wood | Against the grain, blunt tool | Change direction, use a sharp tool |
| Melted edges (plastic) | Too slow, milling cutter dwelling | Move faster, continuous motion |
| Burn marks (wood) | Too much friction, too slow | Increase the feed rate or reduce the spindle speed |
Tips for Flawless Results
Preparing the Surface
- The material must be flat, otherwise the engraving depth varies
- For wood: face the surface flat beforehand
- Remove protective films only after engraving
Making Test Engravings
- Always test on an offcut first
- Note down the parameters that work
- Try different depths
Post-Processing
- Wood: Fill the engraving with stain or paint, sand off the excess
- Metal: Fill the engraving with paint, polish
- Plastic: If necessary, smooth the edges with hot air
FAQ: Frequently Asked Questions
Which V-groove cutter should I start with?
A V-groove cutter with 60° is the best all-rounder. It works for most fonts and materials. Later you can add 30° or 90°.
How small can I engrave?
With a V-groove cutter with 30°, letters from about 3 mm in height are possible. For smaller lettering you need engraving cutters and a very precise machine.
Can I engrave photos?
Yes, with greyscale engraving (raster). The image is converted into dots of varying depth. Special software such as PhotoVCarve makes this possible.
Why are my letters different depths?
Either the material surface is not flat, or the Z zero point was not set correctly. Solution: face the surface flat before engraving.
Conclusion: engraving is an art
With the right technique, your engravings become small works of art. Start with simple projects and build up gradually. What matters most: sharp tools and suitable parameters.
More CNC Applications
Need advice on engraving with your CNC milling machine? Contact us, we are happy to help with tool recommendations and parameter suggestions.
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