Engraving Studios Scales Precision Production with Kimla CNC Milling

Engraving Studios has expanded its deep mill engraving capacity with two Kimla BFNL CNC milling machines from Daltons, giving the Stockton-on-Tees manufacturer the speed, precision and reliability needed to increase batch production while maintaining the quality of its traditionally engraved products.

Established by Mandy and Andy Blackett in 2013, Engraving Studios manufactures deeply engraved pet identification tags, memorial and commemorative plaques, nameplates, awards and bespoke products for both individual and commercial customers.

Unlike laser etching or diamond drag engraving, the company specialises in deep mill engraving, physically machining material away to create crisp, durable lettering and detailed designs. As demand increased, Engraving Studios needed additional CNC capacity that could support larger production runs without compromising accuracy or finish.

Increasing CNC Engraving Capacity

Engraving Studios already had experience with CNC routing when the business began looking for a machine capable of increasing batch production.

Managing Director Andy Blackett wanted a solution that could combine high-speed machining with exceptional accuracy and reliability. Unattended operation was also important, allowing jobs to continue without an operator constantly monitoring the machine.

Following a recommendation from its tooling supplier, Engraving Studios contacted Daltons to discuss the application. The resulting specification was a Kimla BFNL 1060 CNC milling machine, equipped with linear drive technology and a high-speed spindle.

The machine was selected around the company's deep engraving process, where consistent positioning and finish are essential across both bespoke products and larger batches.

The combination of the Kimla's heavy-duty construction, linear drives and high-speed spindle provided the machining performance required for detailed work in materials including brass and aluminium.

“We wanted high-speed accuracy and reliability on the machine.”

The improvement in positioning and repeatability quickly became one of the most significant benefits of the investment, helping Engraving Studios achieve a level of consistency beyond what the team had originally expected.

Scaling Production with Two Kimla CNC Machines

The first Kimla allowed Engraving Studios to process significantly larger batches while introducing more unattended machining into the workshop.

For a manufacturer producing everything from individual personalised items to substantial commercial orders, this created greater flexibility and allowed the business to increase capacity without adding unnecessary manual stages.

The technology has supported work for customers including BAFTA, the National Garden Scheme and Vivienne Westwood, where the quality and consistency of the finished product are particularly important.

As the team became more familiar with the Kimla, they also began exploring additional processes that could be automated. The machine proved capable of doing more than originally anticipated, eventually creating the need for additional capacity.

Rather than looking for an alternative specification, Engraving Studios ordered a second identical Kimla BFNL CNC milling machine.

“We realised actually we need two. So that was literally a phone call: we want exactly the same again.”

The second machine arrived a few months later, giving the business additional capacity while maintaining a common programming and production workflow across both CNCs.

For Daltons Sales Director Andy Walsh, the repeat investment was a strong indication that the original machine had matched the application. Engraving Studios knew the level of performance it wanted but had initially been uncertain whether a machine existed that could deliver the complete specification. Working with Kimla allowed Daltons to provide a solution tailored to those requirements.

Training and Ongoing CNC Support

Ensuring the machines fitted naturally into Engraving Studios' existing workflow was an important part of the project.

Rather than providing generic CNC training, Daltons engineers worked with the team around their own engraving applications and production methods. This helped operators become familiar with the Kimla through processes they would actually use day to day.

Andy describes the training as being tailored around “our own application rather than the workflow from a book.”

The learning curve proved relatively short, allowing the machines to move quickly into production.

Daltons has continued to support Engraving Studios through planned servicing, maintenance and technical assistance. Many queries can be diagnosed remotely, with engineers Sam and Brad able to resolve issues over the phone without the need for an immediate site visit.

This combination of machine reliability and responsive technical support has allowed the Engraving Studios team to concentrate on production rather than continually planning around potential downtime.

Supporting the Next Stage of Engraving Studios

What began as an investment in additional CNC capacity has become a significant part of Engraving Studios' manufacturing operation.

The two Kimla BFNL milling machines have enabled the business to increase batch production, introduce greater automation and maintain the precision required for its specialist deep engraving process.

Importantly, the technology complements rather than replaces the traditional manufacturing technique at the centre of the business. Engraving Studios continues to specialise in deep mill engraving, but CNC technology now allows that process to be delivered efficiently across everything from individual bespoke products to larger production runs.

For Daltons, the project demonstrates the importance of specifying CNC machinery around the application. By understanding the materials, finish, production volumes and working methods Engraving Studios wanted to achieve, the team was able to provide a solution that answered the initial requirement and subsequently led to investment in a second machine.

Looking to increase precision, automate production or expand CNC machining capacity?

Speak to Daltons about Kimla CNC milling and routing solutions configured around your materials and production requirements.

For more information, call our team on 0115 986 5201, or email info@daltonsmachines.com.