Case engraving

kf4lhp · Post by **kf4lhp** » Wed May 15, 2002 6:19 pm

Anyone had their radio's case engraved? I'm curious as to where anyone may have had this service performed, whether they were satisfied with the results, how much it costs, and such.

--mws
http://www.scanchattanooga.com/

PCSAR 4x4 652 · Post by **PCSAR 4x4 652** » Wed May 15, 2002 6:22 pm

any good trophy shop should be able to do it. The case is basically the same as the plastic desk name plates and license plate frames.

Jim202 · Post by **Jim202** » Thu May 16, 2002 4:59 am

One word of caution in doing the engraving, DON'T go too deep. Take a look at the area where you are thinking of doing this. In most cases, the portable radio front speaker faceplate is where most organizations have it done.

The bit needs to be sharp. The rotation speed needs to be slow enough that you don't melt the plastic your working on.

Years ago, I did a bunch of GE radios for the Boston MBTA. Had to do the speakers, control heads, mics and mobile radios. Made up several jigs to hold each item on the machine.

Don't have the machine anymore, so don't ask.

Jim

Jim202 · Post by **Jim202** » Thu May 16, 2002 5:00 am

One word of caution in doing the engraving, DON'T go too deep. Take a look at the area where you are thinking of doing this. In most cases, the portable radio front speaker faceplate is where most organizations have it done.

The bit needs to be sharp. The rotation speed needs to be slow enough that you don't melt the plastic your working on.

Years ago, I did a bunch of GE radios for the Boston MBTA. Had to do the speakers, control heads, mics and mobile radios. Made up several jigs to hold each item on the machine.

Don't have the machine anymore, so don't ask.

Jim

Post by Pj » Thu May 16, 2002 5:36 am

Our first batch of XTS3000's were engraved from Motorola... I believe they wacked us close to $60-$100 a radio...

perthcom · Post by **perthcom** » Fri May 17, 2002 4:05 am

Wow 60-100.00!
We lazer engrave alot of portables for customers with their logo etc. I'll do it for alot less than that!!

cracked · Post by **cracked** » Fri May 17, 2002 7:10 am

dremel model 280 engraver < $20

perthcom · Post by **perthcom** » Fri May 17, 2002 7:47 am

Careful with engravers etc, the vibration may not seem too much but on the scale of microelectronics its like using a jack hammer!.

kf4lhp · Post by **kf4lhp** » Sat May 18, 2002 12:43 am

Thanks for the tips, all.

While I do have a Dremel engraver, I'm going to have it done professionally so it looks good... the Dremel just isn't the world's most precise tool.

--mws
http://www.scanchattanooga.com/

thgiz · Post by **thgiz** » Sat May 18, 2002 2:45 am

just food for thought, i have had several of our Minitor/HTs/MTs done by a professional, i always just send the the case, take the radio out....like someone else said....less chance for the "jackhammer" effect...

perthcom · Post by **perthcom** » Wed May 22, 2002 1:41 pm

Whats cool about the laser engraving is it can read most types of computer graphics files. Most companies have their logos on a computer file, so you get a very professional looking job. The laser changes the texture of the plastic case, so you are not making the case thinner and weaker.
There is no vibration or anything to harm the electronics while it is being done.
I guess it all depends on what you want. I mean you can buy a spray bomb and write your company name on your trucks, or you can spend a few dollars and get the company trucks looking really spiffy and professional with you company logo and names on it... Either way your company name is on your trucks.
Its all an image thing. Do a hack job on your equipment and employees will tend not to treat it kindly because afterall look at the hack job you did on the engraving. And what do customers think, if you treat your own equipment like it doesn't matter, well maybe thats how you will treat their equipment too.

Just my 2 cents for all it matters