Introduction
The dog tag engraving machine is a wonderful addition to your personal and professional toolbox. But before we move on to the selection criteria and applications of dog tag machines, let’s have a brief look at what are dog tags.
Metal dog tags and nameplates, as the name suggests, are identification labels that can be used in various applications. Usually, the military personnel uses the metallic dog tags so they can be identified in case of an accident and anyone who finds them know their basic history. Moreover, dog tags are also used for pets and it strengthens the bond between the owner and the pet. The basic information on the pets; dog tag is that of its owner. So that if it is lost, it can be returned back to its owner.
Another application of metallic plates is that on the machines and electromechanical parts.
This article will take you through the major applications of dog tag engraving machine and how you can choose the best dog tag engraving machine in the market.
Applications of Dogtag Engraving Machine
· Armed Personnel Dog tag engraving
Another major application of the dog tag engraving is the Armed services. Most of the countries have it mandatory for their troops to have dog tags with basic information about the wearer. This information includes name, contact info., blood type and other important information about the wearer. These tags help identify the personnel in case of an accident or casualty during operations. Therefore, it is extremely important that these dog tags have properly engravings to bear the brunt of harsh operational and environmental effects.
Moreover, there is a need to engrave the dog tags in a very short span of time if the old ones are worn out. Thus, there needs to be a mechanism, ideally the engraving machine for quick solutions and engraving in case of an urgent need.
· Nameplate Labeling
Nameplate and identification plates also are abundantly in need of having an effective engraving machine for use. Usually, the nameplates are hanging outside offices or even houses require engraving for proper labeling. This can be easily done with a good metal plate engraving machine. These machines are usually not very expensive and can provide a load of benefits to industrial and personal users.
· Machine and Parts’ Labeling
Machine parts/Nameplates are an essential part of large machines and electromechanical parts. For instance, in the aviation industry, each and every part of the aircraft needs to have a nameplate that tells the entire history of the part. Like its part number, manufacturing date, serial number, modification status, how many times has the part been upgraded, etc.
Moreover, in case there is a need for in-house modification of the electromechanical part, then the maintenance company needs to have a machine to engrave the nameplate of the part on runtime. If the modification of the part will not be engraved on the unit, then it will be a major discrepancy on the part of the company.
Similarly, in motor manufacturing companies, electrical industry, power industry, etc. there is a need for effective marking on the nameplates of the machines.
Thus, we can see how important it is for different industries to have an engraving mechanism for the machines’ nameplate marking.
· Pet Dog Tag Labelling
Pet lovers are very selective about naming their pets. Furthermore, the people who love pets have specially crafted dog tags for their pets. Be it a horse, cat, or dog, dog tags are a very special part of the relationship between a pet and its owner. Therefore, it is important to find solutions to engrave dog tags in an efficient and fast manner.
Moreover, another purpose of the dog tag is to help the people find the owner of the pet in case it is lost. Thus, all pets need to have a certain kind of identification with information about their owners. Hence, the dog tag markers provide a great service for your pets’ safety.
Dog tag engraving machine provides you an option to engrave customized names of pets on their tags. These tags are usually made of metal so that they bear the burden of harsh environment and weather. Therefore, you need an engraver that can effectively work on metal and produce excellent results.
Dog tag Marking Machines: What are the Options?
When it comes to engraving and marking metallic dog tags, there are a few options that you can choose from. If we list down all the options that you have to mark the dog tags then the major ones will be:
· Dot peen engraving of dog tags
Dot peen engraving is one of the most used methods for dog tag engraving. This is because the dog tags are made of hard metals and need a strong engraving mechanism to leave a lasting mark. Dot peen marking machine will lead a permanent mark on the dog tag. Furthermore, the engraving will be permanent and stay in its shape for a long time. Besides, the dot peen marking is a cheap and economical solution. Therefore, you can implement this method without spending a huge amount of capital. However, the speed of engraving for the dot peen engravers is much slower than that of the laser engraving machines.
· Laser engraving/Etching of dog tags
Another great way to etch/engrave the dog tags is by laser engraving. Although there is a slight difference between laser engraving and etching, we will treat the method as a single one for the sake of understanding. The laser etching method involves the removal of a slight layer of the metallic unit to be marked. It is a speedy and efficient manner for marking the dog tags. Furthermore, it offers an accurate and longlasting solution for the engraving needs of your company. Also, you can create various designs, emblems, and other delicate marks on the dog tags by using the laser marking machine.
However, on the downside, the laser engraving machines are slightly expensive than other types of marking schemes. Moreover, the handling of the laser etching machine requires a certain level of expertise by the operator.
Therefore, it is a good option for engraving dog tags, if you are ready to spend a little higher on the machine.
· Stamp marking
Stamp marking is a good old method of marking metallic units. However, when compared with the latest technologies of laser and improved dot peen marking, the method does not have much value to offer for light units. Also, the process of marking is slower than other methods and it also requires a certain level of patience to operate. But this is a very economical solution. Although, you will not be able to mark custom shapes and designs on the dog tags with the stamp markers.
These kinds of markers are more suitable for large and rugged materials rather than delicate and tiny units like dog tags.
· Chemical etching
Chemical etching is another classical way of marking dog tags. The method is simple and costs lesser than laser marking. However, there is a certain level of risk when working with corrosive fluids. Moreover, the marking is also not of high quality and can also fade away with time. Therefore, it is a method if you are out of funds, but not a recommended method to compete in the market.
How to Choose the Best Dog Tag Engraving Machine?
Now comes the point on selecting the best dog tag engraving machine and how you can select one. We will tell you about a few tips here that you can use to select the laser engraver that will best suit your needs:
· Quantity of production
The first and foremost thing to look for in the selection of the dog tag engravers is to know the size of your company. If you are a bulk producer that has thousands of production units per day, then you definitely need something sophisticated for the job. Ideally, a laser marking machine or a dot peen engraver will best suit your need. Some good choice of machine for laser engraving is HeatSign’s Fiber Laser Engraving Machine.
Since most of the dog tags are made of metals, you will find fiber laser to work best on the units. Furthermore, the final quality of production is high and will help your company to grow. Furthermore, the price of the machine is very affordable. Therefore, giving you a good operational option at a very affordable price.
· Budget Available & Price of a machine
Another important factor in the selection of the best engraving machine for dog tags is your budget. Once again the criteria are the same, if you have a large set-up then you need to invest aptly for getting returns. However, for smaller units, you don’t need to select a very expensive machine.
When talking about budget engravers, then you have a few options available from even the best of the manufacturers. For instance, Epilog’s Zing 16 is one of the best budget laser engravers present in the market in 2020.
The engraving machine offers a great budget solution for medium size dog tag marking service providers.
Coming to the price of the machine. You can usually get a good laser marking machine for $4000 and above. However, there is a substantial difference in the quality of the results that each machine offers. If you want to go for low-quality engraving, then you can take the risk with a cheaper machine. But if you want to compete in the market you will need the best machine for it.
Similarly, a dot peen marker is available for an average price of $1500. However, other factors like resolution and customization affect the final price of the machine.
· Mobility of the Engraver Machine
One of the most important factors in selecting an engraving machine for metallic dog tags is the mobility of the machine. In case, you want to customize the dog tags as per the requirements of the customer then you will need to have an on the run solution for this. Which ideally is the availability of a portable engraving machine. The most suitable machine for this purpose can be a portable dot peen engraver. Or if you are planning to invest more, then a portable laser engraving machine.
HeatSign’s handheld and portable dot pin marker is a great option. As it provides an on the run solution for marking dog tags.
· Specifications and Standards to follow
And last but not least, there are certain standards of marking that you need to check before acquiring a machine. In case you are providing dog tags to the military personnel, you need to check the requirement of standards. If they are following the MIL-Std or any other similar standard for the marking on dog tags. If there is a requirement of following a certain standard for marking of the dog tags, then you will have to check the compatibility of your machine with the specific standard.
Final Word: Dog Tag Engraving Machine
Summing up, dog tags and other metallic nameplates have a high number of applications. These applications include industrial, personal and military usage. Therefore, it is extremely important to choose the right machine for the job. To select the best dog tag engraving machine, you need to check out a few factors. These factors span from the size of your business to the amount of budget you can allocate for the engraving project. However, the final decision for the engraving machine for dog tags has to be a trade-off. You cannot get all the benefits and you have to compromise on some factor. For instance, if you want speed and high quality you will have to compromise on the budget.
However, you should have no worries in selecting the ideal engraving machine for dog tags. Because we at HeatSign specialize in all sorts of parts marking machines. So we know the ins and outs of each of the marking methods, major vendors and the price solutions for your business. So instead of doing it all by yourself, you can sit back, relax and just contact us. And we will guide you through all the major technical and financial aspects of acquiring a dog tag engraving machine.
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