There are many options when it comes to picking out the perfect monument or headstone for your loved one. One way to make their burial even more personal is through laser etching. More people are choosing laser etching services in Walterboro, SC for a way to permanently mark their family member’s resting place. However, some people don’t know what goes into the process of laser etching. Read on to learn more and determine if laser etching is right for your site.
Laser engraving and laser etching
Laser etching is a type of laser engraving. Laser engraving encompasses processes in which a laser beam removes the surface of the material being engraved to create a depression that reveals an image or letters when looked at straight on. The laser, which creates extreme heat, vaporizes part of the material being engraved. Deeper marks can be made with several passes over the same place.
Laser etching, similar to laser engraving, is done by melting, rather than vaporizing part of the material. This process can be done on a variety of materials and products, including bare, anodized or plated metal surfaces, as well as polymers and ceramics. The extreme heat from the laser melts the surface of the headstone or monument for shallow depressions that reveal an image or letters. The depressed surface is usually less than 0.001 inch deep. Another thing to note about laser etching is that it changes the surface of the metal material it etches, altering its reflectivity and enhancing contrast. That makes the design created by the laser easy to read or see. Laser etching services in Walterboro, SC are available for a range of headstones and monuments.
More about laser marking
Both laser engraving and laser etching services in Walterboro, SC are subsets of the greater category of laser marking. Laser marking encompasses all processes in which a laser beam interacts with the surface of a marked material, and changes its properties or appearance in some way. A low-powered beam is moved slowly across the material, causing discoloration. The heat from the laser causes oxidation and turns the material black. This creates high-contrast marks, without creating any depressions or otherwise disrupting the material.
Lasers are used in a great variety of industries, including aerospace, automotive, industrial, electronics, medical, military, oil and gas and more. At Steedley Monument Works, we use laser etching services in Walterboro, SC to personalize your loved one’s burial site. When you pay a visit to Steedley Monument Works to look at burial monuments, you can see our indoor and outdoor showroom and displays that highlight numerous headstones, memorials and markers. We use a variety of methods in addition to laser etching, including shape carving, sand blasting and more. We offer all types of granite and marble to accommodate your preferences.
If you’re looking for high-quality and reasonably priced customizable products, you’ve come to the right place. We put dedication, expertise and a strong work ethic into everything we do. We look forward to adding you to our list of valued customers.