How to Engrave on Glass

How to engrave on glass Detailed instructions for engraving on small glassware using a U-MARQ GEM-RX engraving machine

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

Things You’ll Need:

• Glass Burnisher .005 (SST BD BURN 005)
• Glass Engraving Lubricant (SST 8021)
• Glass Engraving Kit (SST 8090)
• GEM Inside Ring Attachment (SST 551)

1. What we have to remember about engraving on glass is that glass is very delicate. Changing the settings on your machine and making sure that we are not pressing too hard with our diamond drag graver is very important.
2. For this application you want to use the Glass burnisher .005 (SST BD BURN 005) and your light touch knob. It is also very important to use a lubricant to protect your burnishing needle as well as your glass (SST 8021). By using these two tools you will keep your glass from chipping and your needle from dulling too quickly. All of this is available in a Glass Engraving Kit (SST-8090).
3. Always remember to make sure that while holding the product inside the engraver it is extremely secure. Make sure that the bottom of your product is not touching any other part of the machine beside the holders themselves. In order to set your machine to do small cylinders you have to use the outside ring option in your auto layout. Enter your parameters as if you were entering them for the outside of a ring. Your numbers will seem large but your machine will be able to handle it. As long as you can hold it in the machine you will be able to engrave it! After setting your parameters and typing in your text left click on the production icon. You are going to choose the setting for Outside Ring Engraving. Before sending it to production you need to change some of the settings on your screen.
4. If you are holding a flat piece of glass you may use your normal holders, making sure that the way it is being held is secure. You can then send it to production and use the normal Diamond Drag Engraving.
5. Because the RX is not set to engrave glass you must set it to do so. After entering your production screen you must change your settings to better suit the engraving of glass. Left click on the padlock icon on the bottom of the screen and you will be able to change all of your settings.
6. Retract: 6.00 Depth: 2.00 Chip: 2.00 Feed: 0.8 Feed Z: 0.8 You also have to turn your spindle on. Spindle: 10000 Dwell: 1 sec By setting these parameters you will help your machine to better engrave the glass.
7. After changing these parameters you then have to set your position on your engraving surface. By pushing the Start/Stop button once you will light up the position light. Let the machine automatically center for you, then push the Start/Stop button. Setting your surface is next. The diamond drag graver should be placed on top of the glass with a small amount of force. Let the spring action of the Light Touch Knob be pushed up slightly. Push your Start/Stop button one more time and the engraving process will start.

Tips & Warnings

• Make sure you are using a lubricant on top of your glass, This will prevent chipping and dulling of your needle