Rotary Engraving - spefically for ADA signage

[Ted DeRuyter]

I am looking for a quality rotary engraver that we would use primarily for producing ADA signage. We already have an Epilog LEgend EXT laser but after speaking with many different individuals, their belief is that it is much easier & faster to produce ADA signage (Braille raster bead method) with a rotary engraver rather than the laser. We would appreciate help in recommendations on rotary engravers that would work best for ADA signage. Or if there are any insights to consider on this process as well. We expect to be making 20 -50 ADA signs per day to start. Thanks!

[Scott Shepherd]

Ted, I think Newing Hall is one of the few remaining companies out there. I know people speak highly of them. Gravograph makes them, but their service has been getting worse and worse from recent accounts from customers posted on forums.

http://www.newing-hall.com/ and http://www.gravograph.com

[Mike Null]

I have a Newing Hall which can do the job but I haven't done ADA signs to date.

Xenetech also makes machines that will do it.

http://www.engravingconcepts.com/xen..._engravers.htm

[Ted DeRuyter]

Thank you for your feedback so far. What about the Roland machines such as the EGX-400, does anyone have any comments on these? or perhaps the Vision engravers?

[Scott Shepherd]

Xenetech and Gravograph have been earning a reputation of poor customer service, I've never heard anything bad about Newing Hall, and I've heard nothing great about Vision systems. I know a guy with a Vision system and he's never spoken a good word about it. Might just be his machine, might be a larger problem, I don't know.

I own a Xenetech, so that's the only one I can personally speak of. If I was happy with them, I'd have a Xenetech laser. I own a Universal Laser, so that speaks for itself.

If you're talking about doing that many signs a day, I'd be looking more at Photopolymer rather than a rotary engraver to do braille. Just my opinion. Probably the same price for both, but the Photopolymer will crank out a heck of a lot more than 50-100 a day. Probably more like 50-100 per hour, depending on the size.

[Mike Null]

Newing Hall tech support is superb. And they have an 800 number.

[Barb Macdonald]

If I was smart enough! Well, not quite true, I would just need to buy the bead plunger/thingy. The machine will make lovely round holes for the raster beads. Don't have the need for it, so haven't pursued it.
I was watching my engraving genius guy figuring out how to do it himself, with his Q1 24"x 24". I believe it's one of the first machines Fred made! He had the bead thingy hooked up separate from the spindle, offset worked out so that the holes would engrave first then, the plastic beads would be placed. This was into lamicoid. He's still r&d'ing it

I've had good experience with my Xenetechs. I have two "mature" machines, still working well.. Just don't try to do stainless
Good luck!

Barb

[John Almonte]

Hello,

Sorry to bump a really old thread, but I was hoping to get some current (2013) information about ADA sign making equipment. The ones I am currently looking at now are:

1) Roland EGX-600
2) Vision 1624
3) Xenetech 1625

I work out of the San Francisco Bay Area, so having a local tech to fix any problems that come up would be a factor.

Thanks for any information.


~John A.

[Mike Null]

You are not likely to find a local tech for any of these. Take a look at Newing Hall as well.

[Scott Shepherd]

If I had to buy one of those 3, it would be the vision.

[John Almonte]

Hi Scott,

How much was your Xenetech 13x13? Would that be a good size for ADA signs?