General
Glossary of Terms
By Mike Clarke
Apr 14, 2003, 10:57

If you're new to the industry, this glossary of commonly-used awards and engraving terms will be a useful resource, helping you to expand your knowledge and your business.

3D ENGRAVING: Process where Z axis can have variable settings of depth during a tool pass. Depth can be set manually, or through software control; creates more of hand-crafted look.

ACRYLIC: Thermoplastic-resin-based plastic engraving substrate. Molecular structure of acrylic provides increased protection from sunlight's ultraviolet (UV) rays; Material noted for outdoor durability and colorfastness.

ACID-ETCHING: A method similar to sandblasting, used primarily for marking glass and magnesium. A stencil of the artwork is either hand or computer-cut and applied to the glass, which is then brushed with an acid mixture such as ammonium and sodium bifloride. After a specified length of time, the surface is washed and the stencil removed.

ADA: American with Disabilities Act; federal civil-rights legislation addressing the needs of physically impaired citizens. Sections dealing with signage include Title II, affecting government and public sector activities, and Title 111, involving the private sector. Additional rules are included in the ADA Accessibility Guidelines (ADAAG).

ANODIZED: Metal with oxide-film coating, put on by electric charge. Film can be removed by engraving processes to reveal colour of original metal substrate.

ARC: For engraving, tool path that deflects by a certain amount of degrees (such as 45' or 90') to create a curve. Also, the curved baseline for placing characters in circular layouts.

ARCHITECTURAL GAUGE: Thicker (1/4") plastic engraving substrate designed mainly for sign making. Allows for deeper removal of material and appearance of greater depth.

AXIS (X, Y, Z): Directions that tools are sent with any engraving machine to create an image. Generally, the X axis is the tool's movement from left to right from the origin point; the Y axis is movement towards and away from the origin; and the Z axis is the tool's up and down (perpendicular) movement into and out of the engraving substrate's surface.

BEZIER CURVE: in computer graphics, a line segment where the angle deflection is mathematically estimated. Bezier segments usually feature movable control points (which see) that allow nearly unlimited alteration of the segment to a variety of angles.

BEVELER: Tool bit with cutter angle (usually 30' or 45') to create deep incised cutting.

REVELING: Engraving/cutting that removes material to leave wide, V-shaped troughs with sharply angled bottoms and ends.

RITMAP: Refers to images made of a collection of monochrome or multicoloured pixels, or dots, for displaying or printing.

BOUNDING BOX: The area of an on-screen image, in computer graphics, at its maximum X and Y axes measurements. Altering the bounding box by moving its control points can change the shape or size of an image. Bounding boxes allows scaling of all graphics images in PostScript (which see) file types.

BRAILLE (GRADES 1 & 2): Tactile-symbol system enabling visually-impaired and unsighted people to read and write. Named after Louis Braille, an unsighted 19th-century French teacher who devised it. Grade I involves a character-by-character translation of printed material; Grade 2 uses special contractions (much like the phonetic parts of speech) for messages. Grade 2 is required by legislation such as the federal Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).

BURNISH: To polish by rubbing.

BURNISHER: Tool used with rotary engraving systems to remove top level of coated metals or glass. Works on same principle as diamond drag, but with rotating tool.

CAP LAYERS: Laminated top piece in materials with multiple plies. See two-ply.

COM: Computer Graphics Metafile. A file type associated with IBM-type computers; can often be imported into engraving programs.

CNC: Communications language used in some robotics and larger machine-controlled cutting devices.

COLLET. Device used to hold engraving tools, usually at the bottom of the spindle. Can prevent tool drift and shake due to vibration; particularly effective when using a rotary spindle to work with harder substrates, such as stainless steel. Depending on manufacturer, collet loaded spindles may also accept top-loading (which see) engraving tools.

CONDENSE: Fitting text to a specified measurement of length in a line. Action may require the equal reduction of space between characters (see kerning) and width of characters.

CONTROL POINT: In computer graphics, a connection between two line/are segments or a selectable handle on a bounding box. Moving a control point changes the shape of an object, altering a line path, shape or size.

COORDINATE: A point that can be referenced by its position on the X, Y, or Z axes of an engraver or router. The use of line or arc segments to connect co-ordinates creates tool paths that form the lines of an image.

CORIAN: Trade name for synthetic stone (which see).

CUTOUT: Action of engraving tool going completely through substrate and separating into pieces. Most often used for cutting apart multiple jobs on one piece of substrate (see step-and-repeat).

CUTTER KNOB: Knurled-edge holder for engraving tool bits. Nearly always brass; screws into top of spindle in counter-clockwise motion.

DEPTH HOSE: Cone on bottom end of spindle to regulate extent of engraving; often used for engraving irregular surfaces. Can also be protective cone to prevent marring of substrate by spindle.

DIAMOND DRAG: Action of using non-rotating tool to remove thin top surface of substrate, such as coated metal, to form characters, logos, etc. Tool includes diamond tip for sharpness, greater longevity.

DIE: Outline pattern of characters or logos; most often used with a pantograph. Also used as a moulding surface for die casting.

DRAG: See diamond drag.

DXF. AutoCAD Exchange Format; computer file type showing images as vectors. Associated with IBM-type and some Macintosh computer programs; can be imported into a variety of engraving programs.

END MALL: Tool with drill-like end to cut into harder metallic materials; also can drill holes directly into substrate along Z-axis.

EPROM: Erasable Programmable Read Only Memory; computer chip programmed with certain information, such as fonts and logos. Chips retain information until erased by exposure to ultraviolet light. Often used by older proprietary engraving systems.

ENCAPSULATED POSTSCRIPT: Computer file type used widely for graphics with IBM-type and Macintosh computers. Accurate in storing vectors of images; often can be imported into engraving programs. Easily the most popular file format for generally available computer clip art.

EXTRUSION: A part that's created by forcing a raw material through a die to create the desired shape.

FEED: Rate of speed as tool bit travels through substrates. Feed rate can affect quality of cuts of different materials.

FILENAME EXTENSIONS: In DOS- and Windows based software, the three letters after the period (or "dot") in a file name. With graphics files, the three letters denote a file type, such as the vector- and bitmap-based Encapsulated PostScript (EPS); the vector-based Dynamic Exchange Format (DXF), Hewlett-Packard Graphics Language or Gerber-based files (PIT), Computer Graphics Metafile (CGM) and Windows Metafile (WMF); and the bitmap-based PhotoPaint (PCX) and Tagged Image File Format (TIF).

FILL ANGLE: Adjustment of fills (which see) to vary from plain O' horizontal or 90' vertical; can create fewer tool paths in removing material.

FILLING: Colour decorating of engraved areas, usually by acrylic-based material.

FILLS: Tool-path directions and methods for travelling through substrate to remove, or rout, material. Sweep or hatch fills removes material in consecutive, side-by-side lines spiral fills trace the edge of area of material to be removed, then works inward to centre in one path; island fills traces the edge, then works inward in separate, concentric paths.

FORT. Single style of a character's typeface. Originally defined size (or weight) as well; now evolving into particular designs, such as Helvetica Medium, Helvetica Italic, Helvetica Bold, etc.

FOUNTAINNEAI)O: Trade name for a type of synthetic stone (which see).

GANTRY: Rail on which engraving spindle assembly travels with certain types of engravers. Spindle usually travels along length of gantry for X axis movement. Gantry may also be mounted on rails for movement along Y-axis; with other engravers, gantry is stationary and engraving table itself moves along Y-axis.

NPGL: Hewlett-Packard Graphics Language; communication method between computer and an output device for drawing or cutting vectors of lines and arcs to create images. Most-popular method for communicating vath vinyl cutters; gaining acceptance in engraving.


JIG: Form or vice for holding non-flat materials for engraving. Can be shaped to hold cylindrical objects, items with various surface levels, etc.

KERNING: Space between characters in a line of text. Spacing is varied to compensate for shapes of letters, making for easier reading. Specific spacing between two letters, along with characters, make up a kerning pair.

LASER ENGRAVER: Device using directed, amplified beam of light to cut and mark material. Laser engravers generally use one of two technologies; carbon-dioxide C02 gas-based or Yttrium Aluminium Gamet (YAG) type lasers. Both will work with a variety of engravables, including glass, acrylic, phenolic and coated metals. YAG lasers can also perform deeper engraving and cutting of metals. The power of a laser engraver is measured in watts.

LATHE ENGRAVER: Machine using cylinder to hold substrate and control Y-axis movement.

LEADING: Space between lines of text. Often expressed as a percentage of size of characters to separate two baselines of text. For example, leading between two lines of 1" characters, where baselines are 1 1/4" apart, would be 125 percent.

LOGO: Artistic image rendered for use in an engraving program. Can be symbol, shape, caricature, company trademark; image is retained in vectored image for engraving.

MARQUEE: In computer graphics, the process of using a mouse-driven cursor to draw a rectangle around an on-screen object, therefore selecting it for further work. Also called highlighting in some software.

MASK: Self-adhesive material used for sandblasting; made of thick (1 0 mil or better) but flexible medium for cutting patterns and placing directly on substrate to be sandblasted. Can be cut by computer-controlled plotters with a knife head.

MATH COPROCESSOR: A computer chip that performs floating-point division, where decimal points are removed before calculation and inserted after computation. In computer graphics, the use of a math coprocessor speeds up calculations when performing a number of functions, cutting response times by up to 90 percent. IBM-compatible computers with 80486DX or Pentium microprocessors have a coprocessor included in the main processing chip. So do Macintosh computers with PowerPC microprocessors; standard Macintosh computers and IBM-types with SX or 80386 (or older) microprocessors need separate math coprocessing chips. Also called a floating - point unit (FPU) chip with Macintoshes.

MELAMINE: See phenotic.

MICROMETER: Adjustment gauge near nose of engraving spindle. Allows for precise alignment of tool bit for engraving.

MICROPROCESSOR: The main computing, or "thinking," chip in a computer. IBM-compatibles have microprocessors made mainly by Intel Corp. following a progressively more powerful numbering scheme (80386, 80486) or a name, as with Intel's currently top-speed Pentium chip. Macintoshes use either a number-based Motorola Corp. chip (68030, 68040) or the newer, top-speed PowerPC. Computing speed is measured in megahertz (MHz); in most cases, the bigger the MHz number for a certain type of chip, the faster the chip and the computer.


MIRROR: Reversal of images along X axis. Done mainly in engraving for reverse-engraving devices, where material in area to be engraved is removed from back side of substrate, down to top surface of clear material.

NODE: Connection point of line segments in an on-screen image. Selecting nodes with a mouse cursor enables a user to move the node and change an image's shape, or change the node's properties (breaking a line segment, changing a line to a curve, etc.) Also called a control point in some sign software.

HOSE INSERT. See depth nose.

NOTCHER: Metal punch to cut and shape substrates. Notching generally cuts rounded (radius) and scalloped (inverse radius) corners; also can punch holes for plates, etc.

OFFSET.. Distance that engraving hardware/ software will move a point of a tool to compensate for the tool's cutting action. Movement ensures accuracy of images; for example, if tool cuts 1/41, swath, offset would be 1/8". Offsets can also be used to remove material inside or outside the shape of an object. Offsets noted as online actually provide no offset at all.

OGEE: in computer graphics, a distortion of an image using an S-shaped curve as one baseline, giving an image a "wave" look.

ORIGIN: Point at which engraving starts, or starting point of engraving area. Includes the 0 points of X and Y axes. Can be at absolute centre of area to be engraved (rare); most often at lower-left corner of engravable area.

ORTNO: Zero (0) degrees horizontal; a command included in several design software to set an image to a "perfect" horizontal level.

OUTGAS: The characteristic of a solid or liquid to vaporise under heat. Outgassing can occur in some plastics and paints if they are not through drying, resulting in adhesive failure to anything applied over them.

OUTLINE/INLINE: In computer graphics, a closed-loop path that copies an original's shape, but is offset by a positive measurement outside the original (outline), or a negative measurement inside the original (inline).

PANTOGRAPH: Manual engraving machine allowing for tracing along dies or patterns with non-engraving stylus; stylus connected by arm mechanism to engraving spindle for creating a duplicate image of die/pattern. Adjustment of mechanism allows for engraving enlargement/reduction from size of pattern/die.

PARALLEL CUTTER: Tool bit with head to create square, uniform trough while cutting.

PASS (SINGLE/MULTIPLE): Route of travel of engraving tool across or into substrate. Single pass equals one trip; multiple pass along same route of tool can increase depth of cut and clean-up burrs, uneven surfaces, etc.

PERPETUAL: Plaque designed for additions of individual recognition plates in rows and columns; usually installed at a facility, with plates added to denote annual winners or achievers.

PHENOLIC: Heat and chemical resistant plastic engraving substrate. Hard, tough material; usually needs carbide tools for cutting/ engraving. Also known as melamine.

PICTOGRAM: A pictorial symbol commonly found in environmental graphics and regulatory (traffic) signs.

PLATE: Individual piece of material to be engraved. Also used as term for defined work area in several engraving-software packages.

PLOTTER: Device that interprets information sent from a computer and moves a tool head to a series of co-ordinates based on the device's X and Y axes. Sign uses a plotter equipped with a knife to cut vinyl, with the X and Y co-ordinates forming an outline that can be weeded and installed on a surface. Sign-cutting plotters can be flatbed, where the knife-head is in a mobile gantry that moves to X and Y points; or drum, where the material is moved to find X co-ordinates and the knife head moves to Y points along a stationary gantry.

PORTS: Computer gateways where information is sent to a device connected to the computer by a cable. IBM-type machines use parallel ports, where multiple pieces of information are sent to a device such as a laser printer, and serial ports, where information is sent in a single stream of data to a device. Macintosh ports are really serial ports, but cables are different from IBM type machines.

POSTSCRIPT@: Graphics language that allows for proportional scaling of images. it's what makes most scaleable type and artwork possible for most Windows- and Macintosh-based graphics software.

PRODUCTION AREA: Space on an engraving table where the engraving tool can touch the substrate and engrave. Some engraving tables may have non-production areas (or margins) for setting of clamps, etc. Also called engravable area or usable area.

RADIUS CUTTER: Tool bit with rounded head. Often used for single-line font marking and reverse engraving.

RADIUS: Measurement of one-half of diameter of circle; for engraving, sets severity f curve when putting text along are baseline.

RAM: Random Access Memory. Computer chips that act as an electronic storage area for quick access of programs and images.

RASTER: Dot-like computer image designed to show up on screens and be printed. Collections of dots make up raster images, which usually don't have vector outlines for cutting, engraving, etc. Images also called bitmap.

ROSETTES: Rounded ornaments with construction of elements in pedal-like fashion.

ROUT. Digging into substrate by tool head to remove material. Usually involves removal of material (also called clean-out) in large areas, often leaving only character and logo images,

SANDBLASTING: A method for decorating glass or wood. A rubberised stencil of the artwork is either hand- or computer-cut and applied to the substrate, which is then sprayed with a pressurised stream of sand or synthetic particles to texture the areas unprotected by the stencil. Once the desired depth has been achieved on the item being blasted, the stencil is removed, and, if on wood, the surfaces may be painted.

SCANNER: Optical device that senses different levels of reflections of light and transfers that information into numeric formulas that can be read by a computer and replicated on a screen or printed.

SCANNING: Process of capturing an already printed image with a scanner, and then transferring the information into a raster, or bitmap, image for computer storage and use by graphics program.

SECOND SURFACE: Material under a ]animated or extruded top layer; as top is engraved or routed, second surface (usually a contrasting colour) is exposed. Also, the process of marking a clear substrate with a mirror, or reverse image and mounting substrate with unmarked surface facing out.

SERIALIZATION: Ability of engraving software to assign consecutive number/letter combinations; used to generate identification numbers for control panels, ID plates, etc.

SHEAR: Device using intense uniform pressure to cut or bend material cleanly and evenly. Often used to cut large pieces of substrate into custom shapes.


SINTERED CUTTER: Tool bit with formed, nose cone like end for cutting deeper paths; usually used for glass engraving.

SOUNDING BLOCK: Accessory that is struck with gavel to make noise.
Part of a gavel set.

SPACE, NEGATIVE/POSITIVE: Graphic term for layouts; positive space involves area occupied by characters, logos or other artwork, while negative space is area left blank. Negative space also called white space.

SPINDLE: Assembly for rotating bit cutters including tool bit, sleeve, depth nose, micrometer, pulley for connecting spindle to motor for rotary engraving.

SPOOL: Process where computer takes files sent to output device, such as engraver, and puts it in electronic queue, or waiting area, to be produced in turn. File is transferred front main production or design software, allowing program to handle work on another file.

STEP-AND-REPEAT. Action where engraving tool completes a job and moves to a new starting point (step), and then duplicates the job (repeat). If controlled by software, function usually also calculates the number of step-and-repeats possible for the sheet of substrate being engraved.

SUBLIMATION: Process where an image is printed by turning ink or toner, by heat and pressure, into a gas, which then impregnates itself into a substrate or a special coating on a substrate. Sublimation most-often done in awards/recognition industry by printing a transfer, using a laser printer and special sublimation toners.

SYNTHETIC STONE: Man-made material with a finish to simulate the feel and look of natural decorative surfaces such as marble. Familiar trade names include Corian and Fountainhead.

T-SLOT. Channels in engraving-table surface 1 that hold special clamps for holding-down substrates. T-clamp goes into slot like upside. down "T".

TABLE: Surface on engraving machine where substrate is placed for engraving. Can refer to entire surface, or only area where engraving tool can work (see production area). Tables can be stationary, or move along Y axis.

THOMPSON RAIL: Metal cylinder on which engraving machine's gantry or engraving table moves. Rail construction and design for holding gantry allows for less vibration and more-accurate work.


TOOL DIRECTION: Course that tool takes in a job. Since tool bit's actual rotary spin is clockwise, direction that the spindle travels can be set Clockwise or counter -clockwise for type of cut (with or against the bit's spin) desired.

TOOL IN/OUT. Position and speed at which tool enters substrate. Control of variables such as placement and velocity of Z-axis movement of tool into material can affect accuracy of tool path and vibration, especially with harder substrates.

TOP-LOADING SPINDLE: Tool holder on engraver where shank with bit is affixed with a cutter knob (which see) and then screwed in, counter clockwise, into the spindle.

TWO-PLY, THREE-PLY. Substrate with thin top layers of contrasting colours. As top surface is removed, substrates of different colours are exposed, giving look of fill. Two-ply denotes one different coloured layer on a substrate; three-ply notes two different colours.

TYPEFACE: Family of fonts; defines overall similarity of style. Typefaces include all fonts with same specific design and identifying name, such as Helvetica, Times, Univers, Futura, etc.

VACUUM TABLE. Surface where hold-down of substrate for engraving is done by air suction, as opposed to clamping. Suction usually provided by vacuum pump.

VACUUM PUMP: Device that creates vacuum in a small chamber. Since air always looks to fill a vacuum, air intake is connected in engraving to devices such as vacuum tables. Sometimes also connected to spindle-mounted chip-removal systems.

VECTOR: Line designated by beginning and end X-Y co-ordinates. Combinations of vectors make up the images understood and used by output devices such as engravers, vinyl-cutting plotters, etc.

YECTORIZATION: Process of taking raster-based images and drawing (or automatically tracing) outlines closely conforming to shapes of those images. Outlines become vector-based images and, for engraving, tool paths. Vectorization is process used in taking images brought into computer by scanning and making such art engravable. Vectors to store and represent images

WMF: Windows Metafile. File type to imported and used by some engraving programs.

Z-HOME: Perpendicular position on that engraving tool returns to after fi any engraving action in a job. Setting for particular job and substrate often zero out.

Z-REST. Starting or home position of tool along Z-axis

Z-STROKE: Amount of distance tool can in up-and-down (perpendicular) di along Z-axis.





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