The history of laser engraving equipment can be traced to the early 1960s when the first large, cumbersome pieces of laser engraving equipment were produced. The early equipment required large amounts of gas to be constantly fed through the laser to keep the beam focused and at full power. In the 21st century, smaller sizes of laser engraving equipment do not require gas to be pumped through them to produce a laser. The laser itself initially was developed in the 1950s by expanding on the theory of radiation developed in 1916 by Albert Einstein.
Laser engraving often is performed on stone materials, including marble, for decorative purposes or to create signs for businesses and housing subdivisions. To engrave on stone, a computer-operated laser engraver commonly is connected to a PC with a parallel printer cable. The text, picture or combination of both usually is designed by a graphic artist using computer graphics software before being emailed or faxed to the engraver. If a design is created using paper and pencil, the artwork is scanned to a computer and cleaned up using computer graphics software. Laser engraving equipment is operated by the computer to follow the design and etch the artwork into the stone without the need for human involvement in the engraving process.
One of the major benefits of laser engraving is the reduced use of manual laser equipment, meaning less damage is created on stone blanks used for engraving and costs are reduced by using less stone materials. The method results in reduced wear and tear on engraving equipment as the focused beam of light of the laser is all that comes in contact with the stone and not the equipment itself.
Laser engraving on stone and other materials can present dangers to the operator of the equipment and workers in the vicinity. The Center for Radiological Health says laser engraving equipment is capable of emitting radiation detrimental to the health of workers. Because of the dangers, laser engraving equipment must be made to national guidelines and labeled by the manufacturer with details of the possible dangers. When engraving of stone is completed in an enclosed space, the area must have an adequate exhaust system to remove materials from the environment.