This particular metal engraving Birmingham project was for a new client of ours. When they asked if we could engrave a time capsule we said. 'I'm sure we can, send the artwork over and we'll take a look.' This is where the fun started!This isn't your average time capsule as I'm sure you noticed. In fact we engraved a small brass tube for a time capsule recently and these couldn't be further from each other. That was laser engraved for starters.
Project engraving metal Birmingham challenges
So, let's talk about the dimensions for a start. 700mm diameter, not the biggest piece we have engraved... But our 'engraving area' is 1220 x 610mm so circular large pieces always cause a problem. This is because, whilst it fits on the engraving table, it is larger than the engraving area. Which for a circular part would be 610mm diameter.Straightaway this means we know we will have to turn the part because we can't engrave all of the text on both halves.Obviously we knew we had ONE shot at this and that the part was pretty expensive. Sometimes we prefer not to know figures but this was a 25mm thick bezel in stainless steel. Which had been milled to give a less thick outer bezel and the angled lines you see on the drawing. Consequently we KNEW any mistakes were going to be costly.Nothing like a bit of pressure on a job. The part was actually dropped off with us in the last 2 working days of December, so I decided it was a 2024 problem. Not least because our Production Manager was away for an extended break with family in Australia and I (MD) was covering for him.Not necessarily a wise decision by the way, in case you ever get any similar dilemmas. I'm not joking when I say I woke up at least twice between Xmas and New Year thinking about the engraving metal Birmingham challenge. Or that I had random feelings of terror a few times too. Not least when I showed a few of the family pictures of the part and they looked in wonder and asked...'How will you engrave that?!'Obviously a test piece seemed a natural choice - hence the blue plastic outline.
The Stainless Steel Time Capsule Bezel engraving is underway.
You know the saying 'check twice, cut once'...well I didn't go down that route. It was check about 6500 times and cut once. Every single letter you send down you end up checking every single time. Just in case it is going to engrave the centre out of an A or O. It has been known! - It's all to do with grouping and ungrouping.And that was after the initial checking, the engraving it on the blue plastic cut-out to check the positioning. Which of course I had to do a second time, when we turned the bezel 180 degrees.I breathed a huge sigh of relief when I knew we were on track but obviously you don't breath nice and deeply until it is done! And you know your customer has seen it and is happy too.There was the odd victory dance along the way on this metal engraving project but of course I made sure there was no video evidence.It was a great opportunity for me to show Reece some of the more complex engraving we do though and teach him a few things to look out for. He had to help me with the turning and positioning of the huge bezel because it was pretty damn heavy. He was in his first year with us at the time.
Engraving metal Birmingham in situ pictures
Because of how we work at Total Industrial Engraving we don't always get to see our work as it is designed to be seen. In it's final resting place as it were. But because I knew from the start that this was going to be a special project. I asked our friends at Scala Vetro Limited if they wouldn't mind sharing some final pictures with me. So that I could also share them, for the world to see this very special project.Have a look at their website if you are in the market for architectural metalwork, staircases, balustrade, balconies, and entrance canopies. They are based near Birmingham in the Midlands so well placed for projects up and down the country.I wonder what is inside the time capsule. I suppose none of us will know until 2043!
Have you got any engraving requirements?
If you have an engraving challenge coming up and want us to have a look at it for you. We'd be delighted to have a look and send you a quote. You may have noticed but we really do care and we are big enough to cope too. Although if you want to time it when I'm not covering production I don't mind...Joking aside, I miss getting my hands dirty and I have always loved a challenge!I tend to get involved with the complex jobs anyway to offer some support, moral or technical to the team.Email info@tie.uk.com or fill in this contact form and we'll be in touch with you.
