What are the different methods of aluminium engraving?
Discover all the aluminium engraving possibilities and choose the laser or rotary machine best suited to your needs!
Aluminium is widely used in industry projects for its lightweight, its durability, and its high corrosion resistance. Aluminium alloys have been developed for decades to meet industry requirements, and they are nowadays indispensable for all markets including the automotive industry, aircraft and aerospace, building and construction, electronic components, and many more.
This versatile material can be processed in many ways: casting, extrusion, forging, sheet & foil, and offers endless design possibilities.
Beyond its mechanical and chemical properties, aluminium also offers a smooth surface and high contrast potential, making it an ideal material for industrial marking and engraving. Permanent identification on aluminium ensures traceability, compliance, and brand visibility while maintaining the integrity of the part.
Gravotech's aluminium engraving machines
Discover our range of galvanometric lasers suitable for marking aluminium. This type of metal can be marked perfectly and quickly with our laser solutions, from integrable laser machines for production lines, to benchtop laser stations for workshops.
Integrable lasers
- Fiber Laser: compact integrable laser delivering fast, high‑contrast aluminium marking with seamless industrial connectivity.
- MOPA Laser: adjustable laser capable of high‑contrast black marking on aluminium without damaging its protective oxide layer.
Laser stations
- WeLase™: compact laser station offering rapid, detailed, and localised aluminium personalisation with visual preview.
- LW2: automated aluminium laser engraver: safe, one‑touch aluminium engraving with excellent repeatability.
- LW3: large-format, secure laser enclosure for deep, uniform engraving on oversized aluminium parts.
Integrated laser system to mark and engrave on all metals.
FIBRE laser
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Integrated laser system for high-quality marking on metals and plastics.
MOPA Laser
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Small laser engraver for all kind of engravings.
WELASE
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Medium fully automated laser marking station.
LW2
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Large fully automated laser workstation with Fibre, Hybrid or Green sources
LW3
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Gravotech’s dot peen marking machine and scribing solutions offer visible and deep markings. They are either obtained by making close impacts or scratching the surface of aluminium parts and objects.
Benchtop
- Impact: touch‑and‑mark dot peen machine. Fast, durable surface marking on aluminium with no PC needed.
Integrable
- XF510p: smallest, fastest pneumatic dot peen for aluminium. High uptime with zero consumables.
- XF510m: electromagnetic dot peen with auto density adjustment. Precise Datamatrix marking on aluminium.
- XF530: deep dot-peen engraving up to 0.5 mm for durable marks on large aluminium parts.
- XF510r: quiet scribing with optional Datamatrix kit. Ideal for deep, noise‑sensitive aluminium marking.
- SV530: quiet scribing with up to 0.3 mm depth: ideal for crisp and highly-legible industrial aluminium identification.
Standalone dot peen marking station.
IMPACT
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The fastest pneumatic dot peen marking machine.
XF510p
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The most precise and consistent electromagnetic dot peen marking machine.
XF510m
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Deep and permanent dot peen marking system.
XF530 p/m
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The quiet metal scribing marking machine.
XF510r
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The VIN scribing marking machine.
SV530
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Rotary engravers are ideal for aluminium marking, as they are compact, silent, and easy to use. Some also allow cutting and milling applications. Discover our large variety of jigs and cutters to easily hold then engrave any object and part in our aluminium engraving machines.
- M20 X: compact rotary engraver with a vibration‑free design, ensuring clean and efficient aluminium engraving.
- IS400: industrial-grade CNC engraver with Point & Shoot and Gravostyle. Delivers steady, deep engraving on aluminium panels without constant supervision.
- ISx000: wide-format CNC milling machine and engraver with optional high-frequency spindle, perfect for high-volume or large aluminium signage and panels.
Small and custom engraving machine for all purposes, from perfume bottle to small industrial signage.
M20 X
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Medium CNC engraving machine for flat and cylinder engraving on metal and plastic.
IS400 – IS400 Volume
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Large and extra large format CNC engraving machines.
ISx000
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Gravotech’s range of laser tables offers reliable solutions for aluminium engraving, from medium-sized systems for small tags to large-format machines for industrial panels. Whether you need precision, speed, or capacity, each aluminium laser engraver is designed to deliver consistent, high-quality results.
Aluminium marking and engraving methods
Laser marking on aluminium
Laser technology is one of the most versatile and efficient methods for marking aluminium. It is a non-contact process, ensuring no tool wear and minimal part deformation.
Depending on the alloy and surface treatment, laser marking produces either a black or white contrast mark. On anodised aluminium, laser technology delivers a high-resolution white marking, while on bare aluminium, the reaction creates dark and sharp engravings.
Laser marking preserves the material’s structural integrity while offering high durability against abrasion and environmental exposure. It is ideal for precise text, serial numbers, barcodes, and complex logos.
Dot peen marking on aluminium
Dot peen creates permanent, readable markings through controlled indentation. The process leaves a dotted mark that can be adjusted for depth and size. On aluminium, the result is clean and consistent, with excellent legibility even on untreated or rough surfaces.
The marking process slightly deforms the surface without removing material, ensuring traceability without weakening the part. It is particularly suited for Datamatrix codes and serial numbers on structural components.
The softness of aluminium also ensures a long stylus lifespan and a low operating cost.
Scribing marking on aluminium
Scribing uses a carbide or diamond tip to draw continuous, deep lines on the surface of the aluminium. This method produces clear, aesthetic, and continuous characters, offering a superior visual appearance compared to dot peen marking. On aluminium, scribing creates deep, sharp lines that remain visible throughout the part’s lifecycle.
As a direct engraving process, scribing is precise, deep, and resistant to wear, making it suitable for identification marks that must remain visible under heavy usage.
Thanks to the softness of aluminium compared to other metals, scribing (and dot peen) offers low operating costs and low stylus degradation over time.
Rotary engraving on aluminium
Rotary engraving, also known as mechanical engraving, is performed with a rotating tool that removes material from the surface. On this metal, rotary engraving produces precise markings with controlled depth. The finish can be polished for a clean aesthetic or left raw for industrial applications. It is suitable for detailed text, logos, or decorative elements.
By precisely removing material, rotary engraving ensures high durability and readability. There is also the possibility to cut through aluminium sheets for the creation of front panels, thanks to the large availability of spindles and cutters.
Applications of aluminium marking
Gravotech has extensive expertise in aluminium marking and provides reliable solutions for industrial identification.
Our technologies allow permanent engraving of serial numbers, DataMatrix codes, QR codes, and logos directly on aluminium components such as structural frames, engine blocks, housings, or aerospace structures, ensuring full traceability throughout their lifecycle. In our client’s success story in the automotive field, we supported Fischer Group with direct marking on aluminium vehicle frames, guaranteeing durable identification and compliance with industry standards.
Beyond traceability, Gravotech rotary solutions are widely used in manufacturing processes to machine aluminium front panels for electronic devices with high precision.
For the personalisation market, our compact laser and rotary machines also make it possible to customise aluminium objects such as mugs, pet tags, decorative plates, or carabiners directly in-store, creating unique and durable designs.
Quick technology comparison table for aluminium engraving and marking
| Technology | Laser | Dot peen | Scribing | Rotary |
| Process type | Non-contact, surface modification | Mechanical, dot-by-dot indentation | Mechanical, continuous line marking | Mechanical, material removal by cutting tool |
| Marking depth & durability | Shallow to medium, very durable, resistant to abrasion | Deep and permanent, excellent resistance in harsh environments | Medium depth, resistant and long-lasting | Deep engraving, highly resistant over time |
| Speed & productivity | Very high speed, suitable for serial production | Fast on aluminium due to softness, suitable for high-volume DPM | Medium speed, efficient on large components | Moderate speed, depending on tool and complexity |
| Visual result on aluminium | High-contrast marks (white, gray, or black depending on parameters and anodising) | Dot matrix appearance, functional and durable | Smooth, aesthetic lines, highly legible | Crisp edges, professional and elegant finish |
| Typical applications | Logos, dates, serial numbers, Datamatrix codes, regulatory markings, names | Text, dates, serial numbers, Datamatrix codes, regulatory markings | Text, dates, serial numbers, regulatory markings | Text, names, dates, serial numbers, logos |
| FAQ: The 6 most frequently asked questions to our experts |
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🔽 What is the best marking technology for engraving aluminium?
The choice depends on your application. Laser engraving is ideal for high precision and detailed graphics, dot peen for permanent industrial identification, scribing for smooth and aesthetic marks on large parts, and rotary engraving for deep, traditional cuts with excellent finish.
🔽 Can aluminium be laser engraved without damaging the material?
Yes. Laser engraving is a non-contact technology that alters the surface of the aluminium without weakening its structure. Aluminium laser engravers create a permanent, legible mark with adjustable contrast, especially effective on anodised aluminium.
🔽 How durable is aluminium marking?
When performed with industrial marking technologies such as laser, dot peen, scribing, or rotary engraving, marks on aluminium are resistant to abrasion, chemicals, and environmental stress. This ensures long-lasting traceability over the entire lifespan of the part.
🔽 Is aluminium suitable for Datamatrix or QR code marking?
Absolutely. Aluminium’s machinability makes it perfectly suited for direct part marking with codes. Dot peen and laser are particularly recommended, providing high readability and compliance with aerospace, automotive, and medical standards.
🔽 What are the visual results of engraving aluminium?
The appearance varies by technology: laser can create white, gray, or black contrast; dot peen produces dotted marks; scribing delivers continuous, aesthetic lines; and rotary engraving cuts deeply into the material, revealing the raw metallic surface.
🔽 How to paint-fill engraved aluminium?
Paint filling is a simple and effective way to enhance the visibility of engraved details on aluminium. After engraving, paint or enamel is applied into the cavities and the excess is removed, leaving only the filled areas. This creates strong contrast, adds colour customisation, and provides a durable decorative finish. The technique is commonly used for control panels, signage, nameplates, and personalised aluminium objects.
