My name is Mike, and ever since I was small, I have loved making celebratory signs. I was always the kid with the 'welcome home' or 'happy birthday' sign at my house, and as soon as my parents bought our first computer, I started making signs using software programming. I followed that path later in life and have helped many friends design their signs. I love special occasion signs in particular. If you own a business, are planning a party, or have a special event coming up, please explore this space. It has everything you ever wanted to know about signs and hopefully more!
If you are responsible for a brand-new office building, then you may be installing a variety of fixtures and fittings and are currently focused on signage. You'll want to make sure that these signs look good as they perform their basic function and will need to ensure that they are engraved carefully for top quality presentation. As you may know, there are various ways to engrave these days, but you may need to consider chemical etching, a new approach that is just hitting the mainstream. What is involved?
Process in Action
With chemical etching, a chemical spray is applied under high pressure and within a specific temperature range to get rid of the metal and to create a permanent shape or image. A template, also known as a mask, is attached to the surface of the metal and will then be carefully removed, exposing the metal and the desired image underneath.
Next, the material will be placed into an etching machine with two separate chambers, where the chemical will be applied. The chemical is first heated to a certain temperature before being sprayed at high pressure to amplify its corrosive effect and to achieve the desired outcome. All of the unprotected metal areas are dissolved, and the outcome is controlled by the inboard conveyor. The speed of the conveyor can be adjusted to alter the depth of each individual etch, according to the required design.
Different Materials
This method can be used to make signs from a variety of different materials including brass, bronze, steel, nickel, aluminium and copper. However, different chemicals may need to be used in each case due to the physical properties of the material. It may even be possible to use magnesium, zinc or titanium, but this may require an entirely different approach.
Clear Benefits
Chemical etching is much faster than the laser approach, and the same outcome can be achieved through just one pass, no matter how complex. It also produces a smooth finish, and the product will be ready for colour infilling work right away for those with a more complex logo or insignia.
Solid Work
You'll want to make a good impression with your new office complex and ensure that people can find their way around with no problem. In order to do this, you will need to work with top quality contractors and use the best products possible. Therefore, you should ask your commercial engraving services provider about chemical etching to see if you can achieve all your objectives this way.
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