Aluminum is widely used in industry projects for its lightweight, its durability, and its high corrosion resistance. Aluminum 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, aluminum also offers a smooth surface and high contrast potential, making it an ideal material for industrial marking and engraving. Permanent identification on aluminum ensures traceability, compliance, and brand visibility while maintaining the integrity of the part.
Discover our range of galvanometric lasers suitable for marking aluminum. 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
Laser stations
Integrated laser system to mark and engrave on all metals.
Integrated laser system for high-quality marking on metals and plastics.
Small laser engraver for all kind of engravings.
Medium fully automated laser marking station.
Large fully automated laser workstation with Fiber, Hybrid or Green sources
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 aluminum parts and objects.
Benchtop
Integrable
Standalone dot peen marking station.
The fastest pneumatic dot peen marking machine.
The most precise and consistent electromagnetic dot peen marking machine.
Deep and permanent dot peen marking system.
The quiet metal scribing marking machine.
The VIN scribing marking machine.
Rotary engravers are ideal for aluminum 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 aluminum engraving machines.
Small and custom engraving machine for all purposes, from perfume bottle to small industrial signage.
Medium CNC engraving machine for flat and cylinder engraving on metal and plastic.
Large and extra large format CNC engraving machines.
Gravotech’s range of laser tables offers reliable solutions for aluminum engraving, from medium-sized systems for small tags to large-format machines for industrial panels. Whether you need precision, speed, or capacity, each aluminum laser engraver is designed to deliver consistent, high-quality results.
Laser technology is one of the most versatile and efficient methods for marking aluminum. 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 anodized aluminum, laser technology delivers a high-resolution white marking, while on bare aluminum, 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 creates permanent, readable markings through controlled indentation. The process leaves a dotted mark that can be adjusted for depth and size. On aluminum, 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 aluminum also ensures a long stylus lifespan and a low operating cost.
Scribing uses a carbide or diamond tip to draw continuous, deep lines on the surface of the aluminum. This method produces clear, aesthetic, and continuous characters, offering a superior visual appearance compared to dot peen marking. On aluminum, 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 aluminum compared to other metals, scribing (and dot peen) offers low operating costs and low stylus degradation over time.
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 aluminum sheets for the creation of front panels, thanks to the large availability of spindles and cutters.
Gravotech has extensive expertise in aluminum marking and provides reliable solutions for industrial identification.
Our technologies allow permanent engraving of serial numbers, DataMatrix codes, QR codes, and logos directly on aluminum 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 aluminum vehicle frames, guaranteeing durable identification and compliance with industry standards.
Beyond traceability, Gravotech rotary solutions are widely used in manufacturing processes to machine aluminum front panels for electronic devices with high precision.
For the personalization market, our compact laser and rotary machines also make it possible to customize aluminum objects such as mugs, pet tags, decorative plates, or carabiners directly in-store, creating unique and durable designs.
| 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 aluminum due to softness, suitable for high-volume DPM | Medium speed, efficient on large components | Moderate speed, depending on tool and complexity |
| Visual result on aluminum | High-contrast marks (white, gray, or black depending on parameters and anodizing) | 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 |
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| FAQ: The 6 most frequently asked questions to our experts |
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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.
Yes. Laser engraving is a non-contact technology that alters the surface of the aluminum without weakening its structure. Aluminum laser engravers create a permanent, legible mark with adjustable contrast, especially effective on anodized aluminum.
When performed with industrial marking technologies such as laser, dot peen, scribing, or rotary engraving, marks on aluminum are resistant to abrasion, chemicals, and environmental stress. This ensures long-lasting traceability over the entire lifespan of the part.
Absolutely. Aluminum’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.
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.
Paint filling is a simple and effective way to enhance the visibility of engraved details on aluminum. 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 color customization, and provides a durable decorative finish. The technique is commonly used for control panels, signage, nameplates, and personalized aluminum objects.