Trotec Laser Inc.
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Phone: (734) 927-6300
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Contact form Laser Engraving on Stone
Use a laser engraver to process granite, marble, basalt, ceramic or porcelain
Laser engraving: 'etched in stone'
Laser engraving is a great way to personalize items made of stone, granite or marble. Your personal message "etched in stone" makes a sentimental gift or keepsake item with a message or design that can last for a lifetime. A Trotec laser engraver can even create detailed photos and graphics on stone.
Stone types suitable for laser engraving
- Granite
- Marble
- Slate
- Basalt
- Marble
- Salt crystals
- Pebbles
- Stone tiles
- Natural stone
- Ceramic, porcelain
Stone laser engraving
See which stone types a laser can engrave
Impressions
Examples of stone items you can laser engrave
While laser machines do not cut stone materials, you can efficiently and effectively laser engrave stone using a CO₂ laser engraving machine. The process is similar to a kind of "matting" of the material. For best laser engraving results, use dark, polished, and natural types of stone such as granite, marble and basalt. The more homogeneous and fine-grained the stone is, the better the laser engraving results will be. White marble is also a good type for this application because it can produce a solid white stone engraving.
Applications examples
- Arts and crafts
- Decorations
- Gift items and lucky charms
- Design
- Interior design
- Stone tiles
- Headstones
Why laser engravers are the best method for engraving stone
Laser engraving technology is the most advanced method for personalizing stone items. The surface of the stone is melted during laser engraving, so the material is processed directly. The process is much more efficient because there is no need to create a template, and the laser beam is the universal tool for all shapes and material thicknesses. Unlike milling cutters, no separate tool head is required for different materials, shapes or material thicknesses.
Advantages of laser engraving
Productive processing
- There is no need to create a template
- No retooling like with milling cutters
Advantages of a Trotec laser
- Speedy series: The fastest laser engravers available on the market with a maximum processing speed of 140 in/sec and an acceleration of 5g
Incredible design opportunities
- You can create virtually any design with a laser machine including logos, individual texts and photos
Advantages of a Trotec laser machine
- Ideal optics and optimal laser beam performance
One tool for all shapes
- No costs for new tools unlike with milling cutters
- The laser beam is the universal tool for all material thicknesses and shapes
Advantages of a Trotec laser
- CeramiCore laser sources with a particularly long service life
Simple high-quality manufacturing
- Designs are created in your usual graphics program and sent to the printer via the printer command
Advantages of a Trotec laser
- JobControl® laser software: Simply intuitive. Work efficiently.
"I have a Speedy 300, 80 watt, and love it. It's a well made machine and because of the job control software alone, I think its been worth every penny. I almost feel like Trotec is part of my team in my growing business. Helping me with technical support in making a better product has been key for me. Thank you Trotec."- Jeff Dewing - Bellwether Laser LLC -
"I bought a Trotec Speedy 300 80 watt laser to replace an old laser in my sign shop, it's a solid workhorse with the coolest software I have even seen. The Trotecs are fast but there is so much more to enjoy than just the speed. Once we started using the Trotec the 60 watt, our other machine became a paperweight."- Keith Outten - Northwind Associates -
Trotec product recommendation
Tips for engraving stone
What kinds of stones can be engraved with the laser?
Laser engraving on stone is particularly suitable for polished, ideally dark natural stones such as granite, marble, or basalt. The more homogeneous and fine-grained the stone, the better the results of the stone engraving will be. However, even pebbles can be processed well with the laser due to the smooth surface. Another ideal candidate: White marble – the laser engraver can produce a homogeneously white stone engraving.
Can stones be cut with the laser as well?
Laser cutting of stones is not possible.
How to get a stronger contrast during laser engraving on stone?
In order to achieve a stronger contrast, you can fill the engraving with synthetic resin or lacquer. Especially in the case of polished stones, the lacquer or the resin adheres particularly well to the engraved (and thus roughened) surface.
What must be taken into account when engraving photos?
As stones have an uneven surface, they are best suited for coarsely rasterized images (250–333 dpi). Very fine and detailed images may be difficult under certain circumstances, but this depends very much on the structure of the stone.