Manufacturing industries use dot peen engraver machines in many circumstances. Engraving with a dot peen machine is a popular method of adding character to various objects or surface areas.
Such machines have been popularly used in the tools and perishables industry for dealing with metal surfaces, plastic parts, gold bars, and much more. The use of the dot peen machine helps in bringing a particular character to the surface area.
Various types of dot peen engravers are available in the market based on their usage and functionality. This article is an attempt to present a brief introduction to each type of machine.
Normal Engraver
Normal dot peen engravers are the most commonly used machines available in the market. These machines come with a moderate price tag that any layman can easily handle.
They are quite popular in manufacturing, especially in areas where automated systems are not widely adopted. The main features of normal dot peen engravers are their compact design and affordable cost. The working of these machines is also quite simple, making it popular among beginners as well.
How does it work?
The bullet nose, placed on the nose of the engraver tool, has a ball-bearing race that helps grind the surface area while dot peening. It brings out marking results in the surface area.
The depth of the marking results depends on how much pressure has been applied to the point drill while standing in front of the workpiece. It also depends on the hardness of the material you are using.
The working mechanism of these engravers can be handled by anyone familiar with welding and cutting processes since it requires little knowledge.
Machine Configurations
The normal dot peen engravers have two designs: pneumatic or electromagnetic configurations. The equipment has interchangeable marking pins that help change the working mechanism quickly according to the user’s requirements.
The dot peen marking method is done at a little low speed for delicate surface areas, whereas dies are operated at high speed to achieve the desired results.



Double Nose Engraver
Double nose dot peen engraving machines are more advanced than the normal ones. They are capable of producing high levels of precision patterns on flat surfaces with great accuracy and speed.
You can also use these machines for efficiently creating ornamental surfaces. They can also process metals quickly without any issue, making them ideal for flat surface processing purposes.
These machines come with a double nose design, making it easy to change the tool heads quickly without any hassle. The working mechanism is similar to the usual dot peen engravers, but your business can use it to produce better results. These machines can engrave through high pressure and allow you to achieve high accuracy while working on your project.
Pneumatic Dot Peen Marking Device
Pneumatic or power dot peen marking devices are used to keep metal parts with dot peen marks. These marking tools are generally used in forging, casting, forging, stamping, and rolling mills.
The main purpose of using this dot peen technology is to secure the product’s identity and prevent the theft of valuable goods from different industries. This deep marking system has been widely used across several industries and is still extensively growing in popularity. Here are some reasons.
- It has a short marking stroke.
- The dot peen marking systems can be actuated by a foot pedal or air pressure, faster and more accurate than mechanical.
- It’s suitable for serializing parts with small size, thin walls, and deep cavities.
- You can control the marking speed by software.
Vibro Peen Marking Device
The Vibro Peen marking device is used to create a deep impression or hole on many different items. The name comes from the vibrations of the marking bar and how it travels around the shaft (peen).
It is used to mark all types of metals and hard plastics. The vibration of the marking bar causes the ink to be drawn into the air creating a raised mark that can be seen and read easily.
There are various ways this dot peen marking technology is used. Three common uses include:
1) To create permanent marking on metal items such as steel pipes and sheets for identification purposes.
2) To create a mark on soft metals for quality assurance.
3) Marking the metal count on the outside of tubing indicating its grade and purity
Vibro Dot Peen markers are used worldwide in numerous industries, including oil, gas, petrochemical, refining, power generation, pulp/paper/wood processing and recycling facilities, and many other industries.



Metal Tag Engraving Machine
This is a type of engraving machine that is used for engraving metal. In this context, the word “metal” refers to any metal; iron, copper, brass, or aluminum.
This equipment is widely used in industries where employee tags are produced. Examples are the shipbuilding industry and the construction industry. Apart from these industries, it is also used in the military and prisons, among other institutions.
Functions
Metal tag engraving machines are used to produce employee tags, nameplates and for labeling factory products.
The importance of their use is that they make it possible to label various items such as metal or wooden boxes, containers, and pallets with a special code that is unique to each of the items.
This code comprises numbers and alphabets arranged in a particular way, which you can use to identify a certain product from a batch.
Machine Parts
This dot peen marking machine has three main parts: the engraving head assembly, the hex bar for moving the plate into position under the engraving head, and the engraved workpiece.
The engraving head assembly is used to hold the cutting tool, and it has unique properties such as dimensions, pitch, and angles which depend on what is being cut.
Types of Metal Tag Engraver
There are different metal tag engraving machines, including the bench-mounted, hand-operate, and vacuum table models. These machines vary in size, design, and operating temperatures. Some of the features found on the different types include the following:
- The bench-mounted model features a fixed stamping head powered by an electric motor to provide rotary motion. This metal tag engraving machine also has an inbuilt power supply board which facilitates easy operation and accurate results.
- The hand-operated model normally comes with a single stamping head. You may use this machine for either left or right-handed operators, and it is an ideal choice for metal industries, woodworking shops, and general construction sites, among others.
- The vacuum table version features a separate motor to actuate the cutting head with absolute precision. This model has rubber pads placed on top of the work area, which minimize noise during the operation of the machine.
Industries Where Dot Peen Is Used
Dot peen marking machines are being used in various industries these days. Here is a brief overview of some of the common uses of dot peen marking tools in these industries.
Forging Industry
In the forging industry, this tool is used to mark identification marks on forged products like iron castings, structural steel shapes, and forgings sent for heat treatment or complete finishing (also known as a cold heading). In this process, the dot peen marking tool is set up as a backup to transfer fewer characters than hot stamping. However, forged products must have identification marks on the heat treatment process or complete finishing. The markings mentioned above are often referred to as part numbers, and these markings must be visible on the surface of the metal.
Casting Industry
For marking identification marks on castings, the dot peen marking tool is mostly used in this industry. Dot peen markings help to prevent theft or easy identification of valuable components within the castings during various production cycles of these components. A manufacturer can easily draw identification logos and part numbers on castings using a dot peen marking tool.
Stamping Industry
The stamping industry is one of the hardest-hitting metal forming processes that use many metal parts, especially aluminum. In this process, a steel die is used to hit a blank repeatedly until the desired shape is achieved. The blanks are often pressed from sheet or ingot stock at high pressure, which causes them to have distortions or uneven markings
To avoid such unwanted conditions in the finished products, the dot peen marking tool is used in this industry to mark identification marks on the blanks before they are formed. Once these markings are imprinted on the surface of the blank, they will become noticeable when stamped products are examined under proper lighting conditions after the finishing process.
Rolling Industries
Dot peen marking tools are also used in rolling mills to mark identification marks on the rolled metal sheets. Dot peen marking device is mostly preferred for this purpose. It can help manufacturers transfer information more specifically on the surface of the finished product without leaving any visible impression of markings. The only drawback of using dot peen marking tools in the rolling industry is that they can damage or remove the surface of the metal.



Food Processing Industry
In the food processing industry, a dot peen marking tool is used to imprint date codes and other identification marks on various food products later packed into cartons or jars before they reach their destinations.
Laboratory Industry
In this industry, identification marks are often imprinted upon various products tested in laboratories before sending them to the customers. Dot peen marker is used for this purpose as they can help lab technicians print a large number of identification marks on a small surface area very easily and quickly. These markings will remain there until the products undergo further modification or customization.
Purchasing Industry
In this industry, dot peen machines are used to mark identification marks on raw materials transported into the factories from suppliers and vendors for further process. This helps manufacturers review delivery receipts, catalogs, or purchase orders to look up original orders and avoid possible mistakes.
Manufacturing Industry
In this industry, the dot peen marking system is used for engraving identification marks on the various metal components before they are further processed in the manufacturing processes, including casting or forging, machining, or forming. This avoids any chances of mistakes in product level inventorying and helps manufacturers maintain proper control of their products with ease.
Electrical Industry
In this industry, a dot peen marking tool is used to mark identification marks upon various metal components before they are assembled in different electrical devices to avoid any mistakes during the assembly process.
For instance, when an accumulator requires repair, the other parts attached or assembled should be marked beforehand. It will help manufacturers determine what component is needed instead of blindly searching for other parts that could also fit in by accident.
Choosing the Right Dot Peen Engraving Machine
Do you need a dot peen engraving machine for your business or industrial needs? Careful research is an important step in selecting the right one. In this guide, we’ll discuss the factors to consider before making this important decision.
Determine Your Engraving Needs
Understanding your needs is the key to choosing the best dot peen engraving machine. Ask yourself questions like: What type of material are you etching on? How big will the engravings be? Do you need to mark multiple parts at once? Will you need automated or computer-controlled operation? Establishing your goals upfront will help guide your research and selection process.
Consider The Machine’s Design Features & Durability
It’s important to look at the design features and durability of each dot peen engraving machine you are considering. Ideally, the model should be able to handle a wide range of high-performance projects with ease and accuracy, while protecting your workpiece from permanent damage or dirt. When looking at different models, consider its construction materials, portability (if needed), and working life. Additionally, make sure the machine has a low noise level for optimal comfort in your shop.
Factor Software Compatibility into your Purchase
When selecting a dot peen engraving machine, make sure it’s compatible with whatever software you use for design and production. Seek out machines that the software drivers to support your desired system – such as Windows – allowing you to easily move designs from your design software such as CorelDRAW onto the machine. Make sure the machine is compatible with the software you will be using, and that it can support the file types and file sizes you will be working with, having an engraving machine adaptable to your needs will be beneficial.
Research a Machine’s Maintenance and Service Needs
Before committing to a dot peen engraving machine, make sure it’s capable of handling the type of wear and tear that comes with regular use. Additionally, research the expected maintenance needs and how long its parts are expected to last. When you know what kind of effort it will take to maintain your machine on a regular basis, you can properly plan ahead or choose an alternative guaranteed to perform longer. Also, make sure you purchase from a manufacturer offering timely service requests for any potential down-the-line repair work.
Conclusion
Whether it’s a portable dot peen or a pneumatic peen machine, dot peen systems are essential in different industries’ production processing.