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DesignISCO 7316

Metal engraver

A metal engraver is a person who cuts a design into a metal surface, including firearms, by cutting grooves into it, for decorative purposes in most cases.

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Rate 5 of the 13 essential skills of this occupation (European ESCO data). No account needed.

position engraving equipment

engrave patterns

remove inadequate workpieces

troubleshoot

remove processed workpiece

About metal engraver

The cut is made with hand tools such as gravers, and with engraving equipment where a machine does the work. The engraver sets up and mounts the engraving equipment, engraves the patterns, and ensures the engraving process is correct as it proceeds, because a cut cannot be undone, and a slip of the tool can spoil the whole piece.

The engraver needs to know the metal types. The same design cut into soft silver, into hardened steel and into a plated surface needs different tools, different angles and different force, and a graver that works on one skids on another.

The engraver also removes unsuitable workpieces that do not meet the requirements. Problems are solved at the bench, and equipment availability is maintained, because gravers need constant sharpening and a dull tool tears the metal instead of cutting it.

European Skills Framework

Skills and knowledge areas required for this occupation based on European classification.

Essential (13)

types of metaltypes of metalQualities, specifications, applications and reactions to different fabricating processes of various types of metal, such as steel, aluminium, brass, copper and others.position engraving equipmentposition engraving equipmentPosition and clamp work pieces, plates, or rollers in holding fixtures.engrave patternsengrave patternsEngrave and print designs and patterns onto a variety of surfaces.remove inadequate workpiecesremove inadequate workpiecesEvaluate which deficient processed workpieces do not meet the set-up standard and should be removed and sort the waste according to regulations.troubleshoottroubleshootIdentify operating problems, decide what to do about it and report accordingly.remove processed workpieceremove processed workpieceRemove individual workpieces after processing, from the manufacturing machine or the machine tool. In case of a conveyor belt this involves quick, continuous movement.operate precision measuring equipmentoperate precision measuring equipmentMeasure the size of a processed part when checking and marking it to check if it is up to standard by use of two and three dimensional precision measuring equipment such as a caliper, a micrometer, an...ensure accurate engravingsensure accurate engravingsClosely observe the actions of the mechanical cutting tools, resulting in a flawless engraving process.ensure equipment availabilityensure equipment availabilityEnsure that the necessary equipment is provided, ready and available for use before start of procedures.operate engraving equipmentoperate engraving equipmentOperate mechanical engraving tools and machines, set controls of cutting tools. Make adjustments if necessary.apply precision metalworking techniquesapply precision metalworking techniquesComply with precision standards specific to an organisation or product in metalworking, involved in processes such as engraving, precise cutting, welding.clean engraved areasclean engraved areasPolish and clean engraved etching areas considering the kind of material the area is made of.determine quality of engravingdetermine quality of engravingQuality control of engravings and etchings; check for cuts, burns, rough spots and irregular or incomplete engraving.
Optional (24) — show
non-ferrous metal processingnon-ferrous metal processingVarious processing methods on non-ferrous metals and alloys such as copper, zinc and aluminium.manufacturing of cutlerymanufacturing of cutleryThe manufacture of different cutlery items, such as forks, spoons, knives, razors or scissors.ferrous metal processingferrous metal processingVarious processing methods on iron and iron-containing alloys such as steel, stainless steel and pig iron.engraving technologiesengraving technologiesThe characteristics of various materials and methods used to engrave something on a surface.types of metal manufacturing processestypes of metal manufacturing processesMetal processes linked to the different types of metal, such as casting processes, heat treatment processes, repair processes and other metal manufacturing processes.manufacturing of door furniture from metalmanufacturing of door furniture from metalThe manufacture of metal items that can be attached to a door in order to support its function and appearance. The manufacture of padlocks, locks, keys, hinges and the like, and hardware for buildings...manufacturing of daily use goodsmanufacturing of daily use goodsThe manufacturing of items used in the daily life, personal use or daily practice. These products include protective safety equipment, drawing equipment, stamps, umbrellas, cigarette lighters, baskets...types of engraving needlestypes of engraving needlesVarious types of needles used for engraving, their qualities and their applications.manufacturing of sports equipmentmanufacturing of sports equipmentThe manufacture of products and equipment used for both outdoor and indoor sports activities, such as balls, rackets, ski's, surfboards, fishing, hunting, skating or fitness centre equipment.precious metal processingprecious metal processingVarious processing methods on precious metals such as gold, silver and platinum.apply isopropyl alcoholapply isopropyl alcoholUse isopropyl alcohol in order to improve the morphology and therefore the surface quality of the engraved material in a moderate and safe manner.dispose of cutting waste materialdispose of cutting waste materialDispose of possibly hazardous waste material created in the cutting process, such as swarf, scrap and slugs, sort according to regulations, and clean up workplace.select engraving templatesselect engraving templatesSelect, prepare and install engraving templates; operate cutting tools and routers.prepare etching chemicalsprepare etching chemicalsPrepare etching chemicals according to formulas, mixing solutions of specified concentration.mark processed workpiecemark processed workpieceInspect and mark parts of the workpiece to indicate how they will fit into the finished product.transpose designs to engravingstranspose designs to engravingsExamine diagrams, sketches, blueprints and samples, and calculate how they are to be engraved onto work pieces.consult technical resourcesconsult technical resourcesRead and interpret technical resources such as digital or paper drawings and adjustment data in order to properly set up a machine or working tool, or to assemble mechanical equipment.prepare workpieces for etchingprepare workpieces for etchingPrepare mechanical tools and work pieces for etching by polishing their surface and bevelling the work piece to remove sharp edges. Polishing is done using different sandpapers and sand films which ar...prepare workpieces for engravingprepare workpieces for engravingPrepare mechanical tools and workpieces for engraving by polishing their surface and bevelling the workpiece to remove sharp edges. Polishing is done using different sandpapers and sand films which ap...perform damasceningperform damasceningPerform the art of inserting contrasting materials, such as different types of metal, into one another in order to create detailed patterns.verify engraving accuracyverify engraving accuracyExamine design results to verify engraving accuracy, rework engraving where needed.inspect etched workinspect etched workInspect finished etchings in detail, using microscopes and magnifying lenses.produce customised productsproduce customised productsProduce goods designed and created to fit the specific needs or request of a customer.compute engraving dimensionscompute engraving dimensionsMeasure and compute dimensions of lettering, designs and patterns to be engraved.

Related Occupations

Occupations that need many of the same essential skills, so the move between them is shortest.

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Frequently asked questions

What does a metal engraver do?

Metal engravers make incisions of a design onto a metal surface by carving grooves into it, usually for decorative purposes, including metal weaponry. To cut the design into the surface they use tools such as gravers or burins.

What skills does a metal engraver need?

A metal engraver needs 13 essential skills, including types of metal, position engraving equipment, engrave patterns, remove inadequate workpieces, troubleshoot.

Will AI replace metal engraver jobs?

The AI disruption score for metal engraver is 45/100 (moderate risk). Skills most exposed to automation: remove processed workpiece, ensure equipment availability, mark processed workpiece. Most resilient: perform damascening, position engraving equipment, manufacturing of cutlery.

Quick Facts

SectorDesign
ISCO GroupHandicraft and printing workers
Essential Skills13

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