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Automation Squad

Role

AI for Engravers

Robert MacKelfresh

By Robert MacKelfresh

Founder, Automation Squad

Engrave or etch metal, wood, rubber, or other materials. Includes such workers as etcher-circuit processors, pantograph engravers, and silk screen etchers.

Etchers and Engravers · O*NET 51-9194.00 · Job Zone 2 · sourced from the U.S. Department of Labor occupation database

Automation coverage

3 of 8tools on this list have an AI solution available today

Counted by matching the tools this occupation is documented as using against a corpus of 226,452 AI products, MCP servers, skills and connectors. Where a tool has no match, we say so rather than inventing one.

AI you can use for this job

3 matched to the tools etchers and engravers use. Showing 3.

The tools this job actually uses

8 documented for this occupation. Showing 8, hot technologies first. A filled dot means an AI solution exists for it.

  • Adobe Illustratorhot
  • Microsoft Office softwarehot
  • Microsoft Windowshot
  • Computer aided design and computer aided manufacturing CAD/CAM engraving software
  • Corel CorelDraw Graphics Suite
  • Delcam ArtCAM Express
  • Gravograph GravoStyle
  • Western Engravers Supply Vision EXPERT

What this job involves

26 documented tasks, most important first. Showing 24.

  1. Inspect etched work for depth of etching, uniformity, and defects, using calibrated microscopes, gauges, fingers, or magnifying lenses.
  2. Prepare workpieces for etching or engraving by cutting, sanding, cleaning, polishing, or treating them with wax, acid resist, lime, etching powder, or light-sensitive enamel.
  3. Engrave and print patterns, designs, etchings, trademarks, or lettering onto flat or curved surfaces of a wide variety of metal, glass, plastic, or paper items, using hand tools or hand-held power tools.
  4. Prepare etching chemicals according to formulas, diluting acid with water to obtain solutions of specified concentration.
  5. Use computer software to design patterns for engraving.
  6. Examine sketches, diagrams, samples, blueprints, or photographs to decide how designs are to be etched, cut, or engraved onto workpieces.
  7. Expose workpieces to acid to develop etch patterns such as designs, lettering, or figures.
  8. Adjust depths and sizes of cuts by adjusting heights of worktables, or by adjusting machine-arm gauges.
  9. Measure and compute dimensions of lettering, designs, or patterns to be engraved.
  10. Neutralize workpieces to remove acid, wax, or enamel, using water, solvents, brushes, or specialized machines.
  11. Examine engraving for quality of cut, burrs, rough spots, and irregular or incomplete engraving.
  12. Transfer image to workpiece, using contact printer, pantograph stylus, silkscreen printing device, or stamp pad.
  13. Set reduction scales to attain specified sizes of reproduction on workpieces, and set pantograph controls for required heights, depths, and widths of cuts.
  14. Print proofs or examine designs to verify accuracy of engraving, and rework engraving as required.
  15. Position and clamp workpieces, plates, or rollers in holding fixtures.
  16. Remove wax or tape from etched glassware by using a stylus or knife, or by immersing ware in hot water.
  17. Guide stylus over template, causing cutting tool to duplicate design or letters on workpiece.
  18. Start machines and lower cutting tools to beginning points on patterns.
  19. Determine machine settings, and move bars or levers to reproduce designs on rollers or plates.
  20. Remove completed workpieces and place them in trays.
  21. Clean and polish engraved areas.
  22. Insert cutting tools or bits into machines and secure them with wrenches.
  23. Sandblast exposed areas of glass to cut designs in surfaces, using spray guns.
  24. Sketch, trace, or scribe layout lines and designs on workpieces, plates, dies, or rollers, using compasses, scribers, gravers, or pencils.
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