SETTING COPY
for it. You can do anything from regular engraving to
engravings of images produced on the computer screen.
Once you learn to operate this machine, you will be able
various terms, but the Navy uses the term copy to
to complete jobs at a much faster pace than you did with
designate the characters used as sample guides. Copy
a manual engraving machine.
applies specifically to the standard brass letters, or type,
Most computer-controlled engraving machines are
that are set in the copyholder of the machine and guide
on tenders and at shore repair facilities. We will not
the pantograph in reproducing that copy. Shapes, as distin-
discuss setup and training on those machines because it
guished from characters, are called templates or masters.
is included in the purchase price and provided by the
Copy is not self-spacing; therefore, you should
manufacturer. However, nearly all Navy ships have an
adjust the spaces between the characters by inserting
engraving machine similar to the one shown in figure
suitable blank spacers furnished with each set of copy.
9-18. You will need training on it, so we will discuss it
Each line, when set in the copyholder, should be held
in detail.
firmly between clamps.
After setting up the copy in the holder, and before
MAJOR COMPONENTS
engraving, be sure that the holder is firmly set against
the stop screws in the copyholder base. This ensures that
The pantograph engraving machine, shown in
the holder is square with the table. Do not disturb these
stops; they were properly adjusted at the factory, and
any change will throw the copyholder out of square with
assembly, cutterhead assembly, worktable, and
the table. The worktable T-slots are parallel with the
copyholder. We will discuss these parts in the following
table's front edge, making it easy to set the work and
paragraphs:
the copy parallel to each other.
1. PANTOGRAPH ASSEMBLY: The pantograph
SETTING THE PANTOGRAPH
set the reduction and to hold the stylus and cutterhead.
The correct setting of the pantograph is determined
The relationship between movement of the stylus point
from the ratio of (1) the size of the work to the size of
and movement of the cutter is governed by the relative
the copy layout, or (2) the desired size of engraved
positions of where the bars and the cutter are set.
characters to the size of the copy characters. This ratio
2. CUTTERHEAD ASSEMBLY: The cutterhead
is called a reduction. As we stated before a 2 to 1
assembly (fig. 9-18) houses the precision cutter spindle.
reduction results in an engraved layout one-half the size
You can adjust spindle speeds by changing the pulley
of the master character; an 8 to 1 reduction results in an
drives located between the motor and the spindle. There
engraved layout one-eighth the size of the master
character.
is a vertical feed lever at the head of the cutter. It
If a length of copy is 10 inches and the length of the
provides a range of limited vertical movement from
finished job is to be 2 inches, divide the length of the
1/16 inch to 1/4 inch to prevent the cutter from breaking
job into the length of the copy:
when it feeds into work. A plunger locks the spindle for
flat surface engraving or releases it for floating vertical
10 2 = 5 inches
movement of 1/2 inch with the forming guide on curved
work. The cutterhead assembly is hinged to permit
spindle removal from the side. This makes it
If the length of the copy is 11 inches and the length
unnecessary to disturb any work by lowering the table.
of the finished job is to be 4 inches, the reduction is
3. WORKHOLDING VISE: The workholding
11 4 = 2.75
vice shown in figure 9-18 is used to hold flat material
After you have set a reduction, check the
or nametags. For odd-shaped jobs, there are several
pantograph. First, place a point into the spindle; then
fixtures available that mount to the machine base. You
raise the table until the point barely clears the table.
can buy these fixtures from your machine's manu-
Next, trace along an edge of a copy slot in the
facturer.
copyholder with the tracing stylus. If the cutter point
4. COPYHOLDER: The copyholder shown in
follows parallel to the workholding vise, the reduction
figure 9-18 is a dovetailed slot used to hold the master
is proper. If the point forms an arc or an angle,
recalculate the setting and reset the machine.
characters commonly known as copy.
9-16