Main Types and Classification of Engraving Machines

Oct 05, 2026 Leave a message

Sarah Lee
Sarah Lee
As the head of quality assurance at Hansheng Automation, Sarah is committed to maintaining and improving the quality of our products. She ensures that all components meet stringent industry standards before delivery.

Engraving machines can be categorized by application scenarios and axis configurations, each with distinct structural characteristics and suitable use cases.

 

I. By Application Scenario

Metal Engraving Machines

Cast structural components for good vibration damping and minimal thermal distortion;

Fixed‑gantry design to effectively suppress resonance during cutting;

Constant‑torque high‑speed spindles, with moderate cutting depths and small‑diameter tools;

Ball‑screw drives, linear guide rails, and servo motors for high repetitive positioning accuracy;

Typical table size around 600×500 mm; machine price generally ranges from RMB 80,000 to 150,000, depending on the manufacturer.

 

Woodworking Engraving Machines

Structures often made of bent and welded sheet metal, susceptible to deformation under temperature and humidity changes;

Moving‑gantry design, with noticeable resonance that may leave over‑cut marks on the workpiece surface;

Larger worktables, commonly 2000×1500 mm, priced around RMB 30,000–50,000;

Rack‑and‑pinion drives with stepper motors, offering limited positioning accuracy and risk of step loss under overload;

Air‑cooled or water‑cooled spindles with relatively low power (e.g., a 3 kW spindle using a φ10 mm tool may stall when cutting depth exceeds 0.18 mm in metal);

High‑end woodworking models incorporate some features of metal machines;

Also suitable for soft materials such as acrylic, plastic, and signage boards.

 

Jade/Stone Engraving Machines

Stone engraving models are structurally similar to woodworking types but include water circulation systems for cooling and dust control;

Jade engraving machines, however, often adopt design principles from metal engraving machines to achieve higher precision and stability.

 

II. By Number of Motion Axes

3‑axis engraving machine – standard type with linear motion in X, Y, and Z directions.

4‑axis engraving machine – adds a rotary axis (A‑axis) for machining cylindrical or rotational parts.

5‑axis engraving machine – adds a B‑axis to the 4‑axis configuration, enabling complex 3D surface machining for impellers, molds, and other intricate parts.

Robotic‑arm engraving machine – an industrial robot equipped with a spindle at its end, commonly used for flexible 3D wood carving or large‑scale stone sculpture.

 

The final choice of machine type depends on workpiece material, dimensions, accuracy requirements, and production volume. We can assist in selecting the most suitable model based on customer‑provided drawings and process needs, while also offering tailored precision component manufacturing solutions to match the selected equipment.

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