Frequently Asked Questions about DiamondEdge™ Stone Engraving Machines

Impact Etching is a leading designer and manufacturer of DiamondEdge™ impact etching machines, specializing in high-quality engraving for granite and marble monuments. With over 15 years in business and more than 300 machines installed across North America, Impact Etching provides reliable, high-performance diamond impact engravers tailored for monument professionals. Our DiamondEdge™ technology uses a diamond-tipped stylus to physically strike the stone, creating bright, deep, and permanent engravings that mimic manual artist work but at a fraction of the cost. Unlike traditional methods or lasers, Impact Etching's approach ensures 100% likeness to the original image with sparkling, dimensional results that endure in any light. We are not just sellers; we partner with shops to craft lasting memorials using models like the DiamondEdge™-300 - Sprinter, DiamondEdge™-300 - Max, and DiamondEdge™-300 - SuperMax.

A DiamondEdge™ impact etching machine from Impact Etching is specialized equipment for creating superior engravings on stone, especially granite and marble monuments. It uses a diamond-tipped stylus to physically impact the surface, producing bright, deep etchings with dimension and sparkle. This differs from laser engravers, which burn the stone, resulting in flat, faded marks that often require paint to appear presentable and can fade over time. DiamondEdge™ machines, such as the DiamondEdge™-300 - Sprinter or DiamondEdge™-300 - Max, offer easier operation, lower maintenance, and better results on uneven surfaces, without warm-up times or multiple tests. For more on why impact is better, see our benefits page.

Impact Etching's DiamondEdge™ technology is superior for granite monuments because it creates deeper, brighter engravings that stand out and last, unlike laser's superficial burns. Our machines like the DiamondEdge™-300 - SuperMax handle uneven surfaces with auto-tracking, require no paint, and engrave 3x faster than earlier models. Lower costs, minimal training, and proven reliability make DiamondEdge™ the choice for over 300 shops, delivering artist-quality results affordably.

Yes, Impact Etching's DiamondEdge™ machines are optimized for granite but work on marble, glass, metal, and other hard surfaces. Anything that can be marked with a diamond! Having said that, our machines are purpose-built for use in monument shops. That's where they excell and provide substantial and quick return on investment. If you are planning to use out machines for engraving other materials, you might need to consider other technologies or build your financial model to would justify use of our machines. Contact us if you need help or have questions!

Impact Etching has been in business for over 15 years, pioneering diamond stone engraving technology with over 300 installations across North America.

DiamondEdge™ impact etching machines from Impact Etching run on a standard 110V socket, consuming power similar to an incandescent light bulb. No three-phase or special wiring is needed for models like the DiamondEdge™-300 - Sprinter or DiamondEdge™-300 - Max, making them plug-and-play for any workshop.

No dedicated computer is required for DiamondEdge™ machines; use your existing PC or laptop. If you do decide to use a dedicated laptop, we can provide pre-configured laptop at cost with your machine shipment. Our software installs easily, and training covers setup.

Setup for DiamondEdge™ machines takes under 30 minutes: unpack, position, connect to 110V and computer, and calibrate with our software. We provide free remote training, and are always ready to answer any questions that you might have.

Yes, every DiamondEdge™ machine includes a detailed user manual covering setup, operation, and maintenance. We also provide video guides and unlimited support to complement the user manual.

Special clean room is not required. You can operate your DiamondEdge™-300 machine in a typical monument shop workshop. Impact Etching recommends covering when not in use to minimize dust, but the machine is built for real-world conditions.

Image preparation for DiamondEdge™ requires raster editing to optimize for stone. Use software like Corel Photo-Paint or Photoshop, or outsource to Impact Etching's ImageMart.com for $25 flat fee with revisions. This ensures perfect results on granite for your DiamondEdge™-300.

Yes, DiamondEdge™ machines allow multiple images on one stone by repositioning (especially the DiamondEdge™-300 - Sprinter) or using large fields on DiamondEdge™-300 - Max and SuperMax. Impact Etching's software supports layout for complex designs.

The diamond tip lasts 20-30 portraits or 3-5 large engravings, varying by stone quartz content. Impact Etching recommends changing after signs of wear to avoid spoiling stones on DiamondEdge™-300 models.

Changing the diamond tip on DiamondEdge™ is simple due to innovative magnetic socket of its engraving head. Simply pull the worn out tip out and push in the new one. No tools required!

Yes, DiamondEdge™'s auto-tracking adjusts to uneven surfaces in real-time, ensuring consistent depth. This makes Impact Etching's DiamondEdge™-300 - SuperMax ideal for real monuments. You only need to ensure that the stone is level enough for machine's control capabilities. Our surface sensing procedure will test the stone ahead of every job, and will tell you if it needs to be adjusted. Also, our machines can only engrave polished surfaces.

We use proprietary software to control our DiamondEdge™ machines. Of course, that software is included in the delivery, and we will help you with its set-up.

Yes, DiamondEdge™ software is intuitive for beginners, mimicking traditional workflows. Our free training makes it easy for DiamondEdge™-300 users to start quickly.

Yes, DiamondEdge™ machines support pausing and resuming jobs via our software, useful for long engravings.

DiamondEdge™ operates at moderate noise levels, comparable to shop tools. Impact Etching designs the DiamondEdge™-300 series for workshop compatibility without excessive disturbance.

Wear eye/ear protection, secure the stone, and follow Impact Etching's manual for safe operation of DiamondEdge™-300 models. Training covers precautions to prevent accidents.

Change when halftones fade or texture is lost—feel with fingertip. Impact Etching recommends after 20-30 portraits for DiamondEdge™-300 models to prevent issues.

Yes, the DiamondEdge™-300 series features Wi-Fi connectivity, allowing you to control the etcher from your phone. You can connect your phone to the machine's internal Wi-Fi and use it to position the head, which is particularly useful for larger machines like the DiamondEdge™-300 - Max or SuperMax.

Our DGStudio software used to control the machine works JPEG and BMP formats. To avoid excessive compression and loss of details, select lower compression when saving your JPEG files.

'Material Definition' in DGStudio sets strike strength for 256 grayscale shades, ensuring accurate tones on stone for Impact Etching's DiamondEdge™-300 machines. Proper configuration is key for ensuring that you get a full range of colors on the stone. Do not stress, configuring material definition is part of our training. We will leave you with a perfectly calibrated machine.

'Perimeter Walk' in DGStudio traces the engraving outline before starting, confirming position on the stone for your future engraving. Unique to Impact Etching's two-way PC connection, it prevents misalignment. Customers love our perimeter walk function, and use it on any shape of stone, although originally it was designed to ensure proper fit of the engraved image on irregular-shape stones.

Dithering represents grayscales on stone; for DiamondEdge™-300 machines, use Jarvis for brighter images on imperfect granite, or Offset for ideal black granite. We prefer that you just stick to Jarvis, it pretty much works for any type of stone.

DiamondEdge™ prices: $17,490 for DiamondEdge™-300 - Sprinter, $25,900 for DiamondEdge™-300 - Max, $30,995 for DiamondEdge™-300 - SuperMax. Impact Etching offers value with included features and quick ROI. Most monument shopr pay off our machines in less than a year!

ROI for DiamondEdge™ is high, often 6 months, with profits from portraits ($377 each after costs). Impact Etching's calculator shows annual earnings of $22,620 at 5 month for DiamondEdge™-300 series.

Ongoing costs for DiamondEdge™ are low: diamond tips (~$3/engraving), optional image prep ($25 at ImageMart.com - our image editing service), and minimal electricity. There are no subscriptions or monthly / annual costs; Impact Etching's support is free lifetime.

Owning DiamondEdge™ saves money vs. outsourcing, keeping profits in-house. Also, it reduces your manufacturing time significantly. Our stone engraving machines pay off quickly, offering control and speed over external services.

Maintenance for DiamondEdge™ is minimal: clean/lubricate screws, cover from dust, avoid freezing. Impact Etching's DiamondEdge™-300 series is built for 10-15 years of reliable use with basic care.

Clean DiamondEdge™ periodically based on use—weekly in dusty shops, including screws and components. Impact Etching provides guides for DiamondEdge™-300 - Sprinter to maintain peak performance.

Impact Etching offers 2-year warranty (6 months on head) for DiamondEdge™-300 series, with lifetime support including remote and on-site help.

Impact Etching provides unlimited phone/email support, remote troubleshooting, and on-site service for DiamondEdge™-300 series, including evenings/weekends.

We offer upgrades to our customers, subject to availability and technical compatibility. When new version of DGStudio comes out, it is offered to customers at no cost. When we come up with improved hardware for our machines, we also will offer it to our customers, assuming compatibility with their existing models.

Impact Etching's lineup: DiamondEdge™-300 - Sprinter (portable, 23.5x16-inch field), DiamondEdge™-300 - Max (stationary, 51x27.5-inch field), DiamondEdge™-300 - SuperMax (large, 63x40-inch field). All feature 3x speed vs our earlier Granite™ models and auto-tracking.

Maximum size varies: DiamondEdge™-300 - Sprinter (unlimited with repositioning, 23.5x16 per job), DiamondEdge™-300 - Max (69-inch clearance, 51x27.5 per job), DiamondEdge™-300 - SuperMax (77-inch clearance, 63x40 per job). Impact Etching covers all monument sizes.

Yes, comprehensive training is included with every DiamondEdge™ stone engraving machine from Impact Etching. It typically involves a half-day online session where we remotely connect to guide you through setup and operation for models like the DiamondEdge™-300 - Sprinter, DiamondEdge™-300 - Max, or DiamondEdge™-300 - SuperMax. We offer unlimited follow-up sessions and direct phone support—call the number on impactetching.com, and it rings straight to our experts, even evenings or weekends, to address any questions.

Watch our 'Ease of Use & Training' video (embedded below) for a full demo of unboxing, setup, software, and operation on DiamondEdge™ machines. It answers common FAQs for the DiamondEdge™-300 - Sprinter, Max, and SuperMax.

Over 300 shops use DiamondEdge™ machines, with stories like Homier's Monumental paying off in 6 months and Fabhaven preferring it over lasers for brighter etchings. See full testimonials on our site for real Impact Etching experiences with DiamondEdge™-300 series.