Photo Courtesy of VACCO Industries Inc.
Stainless steel is an immensely important metal that can be used in a wide range of industries. This is because of the abundance in which it can be found, its corrosion resistance, and it hygienic qualities. In addition to these advantages, the metal is also completely recyclable, allowing it to be melted down and reused Continue reading
Hearing the word acid always kind of creeps me out. When I hear it, I can’t help but think of the Batman movies. Weird, I know, but these were the superhero movies I grew up on, and it happens. In the old movies, one of his enemies, Two-face is horrendously scarred when acid is thrown on his face. While this is a rarer and negative effect of acid, acid can in fact be very beneficial. One such benefit is acid etching, and while Continue reading
Chemical milling, the process of using chemicals to dissolve portions of unwanted metals, was once used mainly on thinner metals and glass products. Today it can be used on slightly thicker and extremely larger products as well. Lines, designs, words and images can be engraved into the surfaces of these different materials, and the process is being improved upon Continue reading
Engraving gifts is always a nice touch for Christmas, Valentines Day, weddings and anniversaries. While it isn’t necessary, it does allow for a little more sentimentality and love to be expressed through the gifts. A necklace or ornament can double in worth to a person if a few kind words are added to it. The only problem is this can be a costly addition for Continue reading
To cut shapes, words, designs or images into pieces of metal is known as metal engraving. This can be done for many different reasons, and in addition to metals it can also be used on glass items. It can be done for labeling purposes, to show ownership, for logo printing, for decoration, or even for sentimental purposes. There are many purposes and reasons for engraving metals and because of this there are also many Continue reading
Science has come so far in the past few hundred years. At one time, designs would all have to be cut or melted into products and parts. Then, in the middle ages, European craftsmen discovered the patterns could be created in their armor by applying acids or chemicals to the products. While it may have appeared as a sort of magic at first, the process has now been further developed today and is becoming a regular Continue reading
Before learning about photofabrication, if I had to guess what it was, I would go with printing photos onto fabrics. In other words, making pictures on blankets, pillows or quilts, items like that. Pictures seem to be put on everything recently; they even make face cakes now! But this is not what photofabrication is. Photofabrication is a much more interesting technique used to cut or engrave metal parts for different industries. While the process Continue reading
The intricate detail on different coins will never cease to amaze me. Although I have grown accustomed to the detail on US coins, foreign coins are beautiful and always fun to look at. Yet, even the US penny is interesting. While pennies are stamped, the design could also be created through etching. Stamping and etching into metals is practiced nearly everywhere in the world. It can be used in industry as well as art, and is often found in Continue reading