The first step in the process of engraving is the image that will be engraved
. Most of engraving machines now comes with the high-tech instruments that use the laser technology. An image may be captured by using the standard two-dimension digital camera, the special 3-D camera, or the image that is redesigned. The image is scanned into the computer before it is being transferred to the laser engraver.
When the image is transferred to the engraving machine, the laser will start to trace the pattern of the image. The movement of the laser will be controlled trough the computerized programming. The laser should be set up in order to remove the similar amount form the material the image that is being engraved upon. An X-Y table will be used from the most precise kind of engraving process. The laser will reflect form the mirror placed on the opposite side and also titled at the 45-degree angel. After that, the beam will be directed perpendicular to the axis by using of another mirror. The use of mirrors will serve the purpose of engraving horizontally and also vertically in the tandem.
Another type of engraving machines normally uses the flat table method therefore the energy of the laser will be directed primarily toward maintaining the right depth. This engraving machine is usually used in order to create the uniform result. The material on which the engraving process is done with the flat table tends in having the thinner, the flatter surface. If the surfaces will posses the variances in shape, the system is used in which the parameters of the movement on the laser may be changed in the real time. It will allow the beam of the laser in becoming more adaptable to even minute modifications in the dimensions of the surface that are going to be engraved.