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Which Engraving Machine/Software do you prefer?


Which Engraving Machine / Software combination do you prefer?  

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Just my 2p worth, I think I'm fairly well qualified to comment on this one :-{{{

 

As a professional Engraver, have been for 17+ years and have been lucky enough to have used machines from nearly all the current (and ex) manufacturers in the Industry.

 

Including, in no particular order (deep breath) - Vision, Western, Mastergrave, Dahlgren, Suregrave, Newing Hall, Gravograph, Roland, U-marq, Cipher.

Software wise, (I don't include the really old DOS based programs) I've used Vistool, Gravostyle 98, Gravostyle 5, Signlab/Engravelab, Casmate.

 

All of them have had thier own USP, ranging from ease of use, to price and what exactly you can do with the machines and software.

 

My favourite software for scanning and digitising is and always will be Signlab/Engravelab. I use this software everyday to draw logos and proofs for customers, then export the file as an AI to drop into Gravostyle 5. Which gives the game away - after using all these machines over the past 17 years, for me it has to be Gravograph. So much so I now have 4 of their units in my workshop.

 

Now thats not to say that the other machines are no good. On the contarary, some of the other manufacturers units are more suitable in the shop environment. My advice to anyone thinking of buying a machine is - how much time will you be using it, how much space have you got, what do you want to engrave. Don't buy the first machine you see (unless its a 7 grand volume :lol: )

use the exhibitions to compare the units. Don't let the demo be rep led either. Get your hands on it and ask awkward questions.

 

Oh, and in the meantime while you're deciding if you have enough engraving business to warrant laying out thousands of pounds on an engraving machine you could always increase your engraving sales by using an award winning trade engraving service :wink:

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Kev certainly hasn't let his 'award winning' status go to his head. In fact he speaks a lot of sense! =D> Who'd have thought it... :-{{{

Get in depth demos, engraving the sort of jobs YOU do on a daily basis, not the same old thing the salesman wants you to see. Of course, let him show you the features of the machine, but it's your money being spent, so you're in charge!

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