Stainless Retirement Plaques: Laser Cut & Etched

Stainless retirement plaques made by CNCROi.com can be to any spec you want, from size to thickness, etching details to holes.

The material we used to make these stainless retirement plaques was 12 gauge 304 stainless steel with 2B finish for reasons you’ll read about later in this blog post but also mentioned in the video above.

Fiber laser cutting stainless steel at this thickness, which is just a little under 1/8″ thick, is done at the same speed as our plasma cutter, the edge quality is slightly different to the trained eye but overall, the results are the same.

CNCROi.com already had the laser booted up so that’s why we used it for this project, it did a wonderful job of cutting the stainless retirement plaques blanks that will then be fiber laser etched with the details the customer requires for this specific project.

Among of the first plaques I made when starting CNCROi.com is the live edge plaque below, it’s also my favorite as I learned so much making it, lessons I apply even to this day when it comes to making the best plaques possible for my customers.

The fire you see is the instant vaporization of the stainless steel under the energy produced by the laser, ironically, the same is true when CNCROi.com plasma cuts steel as well, light is created from metal just like wood but at far higher energies.

The reason you see the sparks on the surface of the stainless retirement plaque blanks is what happens during the piercing stage, as otherwise, those sparks are under the sheet rather than above.

So why would you want to go with a stainless retirement plaque over, let’s say wood, which CNCROi.com can also fabricate?

There are a variety of ways to cut stainless steel by CNCROi.com, and that flexibility offers ultimate control over the end product but the steel memorial plaque below really shows how amazing this material can be etched for clarity.

Stainless steel exudes elegance like no other material. Its sleek, lustrous finish lends a touch of sophistication to any space, making it the perfect canvas for commemorating a distinguished career.

Unlike other materials that may tarnish or fade over time, stainless steel remains pristine for generations to come. This durability ensures that the plaque will stand the test of time, just like the legacy it represents.

With stainless retirement plaques, customization knows no bounds. From engraved messages to intricate designs, each plaque can be tailored to reflect the retiree’s personality and achievements.

Whether displayed in a corporate office, community center, or personal residence, stainless retirement plaques seamlessly blend into any environment due to their dull reflectivity – their versatility makes them a fitting tribute for individuals from all walks of life.

CNCROi.com can make custom plaques out of anything, including solid surface material such as Corian using the same laser system but a different source, as the stainless steel retirement plaques in this post.

Maintaining the pristine appearance of stainless steel is a breeze, all that’s needed is a simple wipe-down with a damp cloth is all it takes to keep the plaque looking as good as new, ensuring that it continues to shine brightly for years to come.

In addition to text and design elements, stainless retirement plaques can also feature engraved photographs, capturing key moments from the retiree’s career journey.

These images serve as a poignant reminder of the impact they have made over the years, but remember, CNCROi.com‘s laser is either on or off, there is no in-between, as a result, you want the imagery to be black and white for the best clarity.

The same black and white imagery can be used for other materials too, and there are a few ways to get the most contrast possible even out of even old imagery that was taken a century ago… for those employees who have really stayed with your company for the longest time.

Fiber laser etching can be done at a very fine resolution, unlike our router, CNCROi.com isn’t limited by the diameter of the bit spinning, as a result, you’ll see the emblem in this video and blog post be clearly defined, even the fine feathers.

It’s very hard to photograph stainless steel no matter what I do to manipulate the image, it’s an aesthetic that you need to see in person to fully appreciate.

The above plaques are 11 ga 304 stainless steel, they are slightly thicker than the 12 ga ones CNCROi.com made in this run and the finish is 2B for today’s post rather than #4 finish for the ones in the video above.

Straight off the machine, the etching looks a little “out of focus” because of the metal dust that builds up around the fiber etching area on these stainless retirement plaques, this is easily wiped off using a cloth.

You can see just how different the stainless retirement plaques look just based on the camera angle that the light hits them with and the immediate environment they are found within, have a bright room, these plaques will be bright, have a blue room, they will naturally absorb some of that hue.

Need custom plaques out of any material at any size? Contact CNCROi.com right now!