another newb

[stones2]

Hello, our company is interested in a machine for etching and lettering granite, there is a site showing this process.We are trying to get as much advice as possible,I have been researching some smaller machines just to get started,really don't know what to look for. Work are 24"x42"x8". 8" would be the thickest piece of granite,weighing appx. 500 lbs. We would like to also venture into other material like wood, quartz, etc. any media for sign making.We make stone signs and monuments, but the monument business is a dying business looking to keep the family fed. Direct link below

Thanks,

stones


CNC STEP USA - German Precision CNC Machines - GranitoGrav

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[awerby]

Hello, our company is interested in a machine for etching and lettering granite, there is a site showing this process.We are trying to get as much advice as possible,I have been researching some smaller machines just to get started,really don't know what to look for. Work are 24"x42"x8". 8" would be the thickest piece of granite,weighing appx. 500 lbs. We would like to also venture into other material like wood, quartz, etc. any media for sign making.We make stone signs and monuments, but the monument business is a dying business looking to keep the family fed. Direct link below

Thanks,

stones


CNC STEP USA - German Precision CNC Machines - GranitoGrav

While any machine can do that sort of thing for a little while, I doubt that machine would engrave granite for a very long time, although it would probably work okay for wood. For the heavy-duty long-term granite work you're talking about, you need a machine with waterproof, grit-proof bellows protecting the slides and screws, which are extremely vulnerable to the abrasive slurry thrown off by stone-machining operations. Look for machines by Bavelloni, Intermac, Prussiani, etc. They're in a whole different price range from the machine you've pointed us to, but there's a reason for that. Here's a place you can find used ones:

http://www.stonemachinerylocator.com/


Andrew Werby
www.computersculpture.com

[stones2]

Thanks for the heads up, we are trying this mostly as a tool to etch photos,it's cheaper than a laser. What about a vacume system just for this process? Where does this machine stand as far as quality and price compared to other machines it's size?

[awerby]

Thanks for the heads up, we are trying this mostly as a tool to etch photos,it's cheaper than a laser.

[The laser might be more expensive initially, but save money in the long run. For one thing, it doesn't require a continuous supply of expensive diamond tooling. For another, it might last longer than this machine, doing this job.]

What about a vacume system just for this process?

[Usually, this is done wet, so the vacuum won't help much. If you did it dry, your tools would have a shorter lifespan, and vacuum is not 100% effective in collecting every bit of abrasive dust. It doesn't take much to kill an expensive ballscrew or linear slide.]

Where does this machine stand as far as quality and price compared to other machines it's size?

[I don't know about the quality; it looks about the same, from the photos. How much does it cost?]

Andrew Werby
www.computersculpture.com

[MasterEngraver]

Hi, here is interseting machine for you guys.

[toskata]

which machine did you bought,i'm in same dilemmas as you
granitograv from cnc step de seems ok