Solution
CNC Engraving With Uncoated Zinc Brass and Magnesium Plate
Not every plate buyer etches. Engraving shops cut the metal directly, and what they need from a plate supplier is flatness, a predictable thickness allowance and a surface that does not destroy cutters. SGZ supplies three metals for that work.
Step by step
How SGZ Works Through It
Each step names the SGZ item that covers it, so you can price the whole route rather than guessing which parts you still have to source elsewhere.
Pick the metal
Zinc where the plate is a printing or stamping tool, brass where the engraved brass stays visible, magnesium where the panel is large and has to stay light.
Check the allowance
Brass plate is supplied unpolished with around +0.13 mm of thickness left on, so you can grind the blank flat before cutting. Zinc from 0.8 to 3.0 mm arrives already polished.
Grind and set your datum
Grind or polish the brass on your own machine, then set the datum from the ground face. SGZ publishes a video showing this step.
Size the blank
Brass to 2000 x 400 mm, zinc to 1000 x 510 mm, magnesium to 2000 x 1500 mm from 0.5 mm thick.
Engrave
Cut with your normal tooling. The brass plate is specified for engraving rather than general fabrication, which helps knife life.
Etch instead if you prefer
The same uncoated plate can be sensitized in house and etched chemically if you coat your own photoresist.
What you need to buy
Products in This Solution
Brass Plate for Engraving
Brass Plate for CNC Engraving
Brass engraving plate, 0.7-50 mm, to 2000x400 mm, supplied with a +0.13 mm grinding allowance.
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Photoengraving Zinc Plate
Polished Zinc Plate for Engraving and Etching
Uncoated, polished photoengraving zinc plate, 99.95% purity, 0.8-7.0 mm, for CNC engraving or your own resist.
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Photoengraving Magnesium Plate
Highly Polished Magnesium Plate for Engraving and Etching
Uncoated highly polished magnesium plate to 2000x1500 mm, from 0.5 mm, for CNC engraving and in-house resist.
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Copper Plate for Etching
Polished Copper Plate for Photoengraving and Etching
Mirror-surfaced photoengraving copper plate in 1.0, 1.4, 1.5 and 2.0 mm, to 2000x600 mm, etches in FeCl3.
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Answers
CNC Engraving With Uncoated Plate Questions
Why does the brass plate arrive unpolished?
So you can grind and polish it yourself. Around +0.13 mm of thickness is deliberately left on for that.
What is the thickest engraving stock available?
Brass to 50 mm. Uncoated zinc runs to 7.0 mm and is supplied non-polished above 3.0 mm.
Can I etch uncoated plate as well as engrave it?
Yes, if you can coat your own photoresist. SGZ says both routes give good results on its uncoated zinc and magnesium plate.
What is the largest engraving blank?
Magnesium at 2000 x 1500 mm, then brass at 2000 x 400 mm and copper at 2000 x 600 mm.
Background Reading
Comparison Guide
Coated or Uncoated Photoengraving Plate
Coated plate arrives ready to expose but is limited in thickness and size. Uncoated plate is bare metal, goes thicker and larger,...
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Specification Guide
Plate Size and Thickness Guide
Every SGZ plate size and thickness in one table: zinc, magnesium, brass, copper and magnesium tooling plate, with the maximum...
Read more →CNC Engraving With Uncoated Plate
Send SGZ the plate sizes, the volume and the metal. You will get a quotation covering plate, chemistry and machine together.