How do they match: Etchers and Engravers

  • Die Cutter
  • Plate Cutter
  • Zinc Plate Cutter

  • Cut outlines of impressions with gravers, and remove excess material with knives.
  • Adjust depths and sizes of cuts by adjusting heights of worktables, or by adjusting machine-arm gauges.
  • Examine engraving for quality of cut, burrs, rough spots, and irregular or incomplete engraving.
  • Examine sketches, diagrams, samples, blueprints, or photographs to decide how designs are to be etched, cut, or engraved onto workpieces.
  • Guide stylus over template, causing cutting tool to duplicate design or letters on workpiece.
  • Insert cutting tools or bits into machines and secure them with wrenches.
  • Observe actions of cutting tools through microscopes and adjust stylus movement to ensure accurate reproduction.
  • Prepare workpieces for etching or engraving by cutting, sanding, cleaning, polishing, or treating them with wax, acid resist, lime, etching powder, or light-sensitive enamel.
  • Sandblast exposed areas of glass to cut designs in surfaces, using spray guns.
  • Select and insert required templates into pattern frames beneath the stylus of a machine cutting tool or router.
  • Set reduction scales to attain specified sizes of reproduction on workpieces, and set pantograph controls for required heights, depths, and widths of cuts.
  • Start machines and lower cutting tools to beginning points on patterns.

  • Cut industrial materials in preparation for fabrication or processing.
  • Measure materials to mark reference points, cutting lines, or other indicators.
  • Operate cutting equipment.
  • Set equipment controls to meet cutting specifications.