Method and apparatus for engraving using multiple engraving heads

An engraving system for engraving a workpiece, comprising:

• a plurality of engraving devices;
• and
• a controller coupled to said plurality of engraving devices for energizing each of said plurality of engraving devices to engrave an intermeshing pattern on the workpiece;
• an image memory for storing image data associated with an image to be engraved on a workpiece;
• a plurality of engraving device drivers for driving said plurality of engraving devices;
• said controller further comprising:
• at least one buffer controller coupled to said plurality of engraving device drivers, respectively, and
• a controller coupled to said plurality of buffer controllers for selectively energizing said at least one buffer controller to sequence image data transmitted from said image memory.

An engraving system for engraving a workpiece, comprising:

• a plurality of engraving devices;
• a controller coupled to said plurality of engraving devices for energizing each of said plurality of engraving devices to engrave an intermeshing pattern on the workpiece;
• and
• wherein said engraving device comprises:
• a magnetostrictive member coupled to a stylus.

An engraving system for engraving a workpiece, comprising:

• a plurality of engraving devices;
• a controller coupled to said plurality of engraving devices for energizing each of said plurality of engraving devices to engrave an intermeshing pattern on the workpiece;
• and
• wherein said system further comprises:
• a positioner for adjusting the position of at least one of said plurality of engraving devices relative to another of said plurality of engraving devices.

A method for engraving an intermesh pattern on a workpiece in an engraver comprising the steps of:

• situating a plurality of engraving devices in operative relationship to said workpiece;
• independently energizing and driving said plurality of engraving devices;
• and
• engraving said intermesh pattern.

A method for engraving a workpiece using a plurality of engraving heads comprising the steps of:

• situating a plurality of engraving heads in operative relationship with said workpiece;
• and
• simultaneously energizing said plurality of engraving heads to engrave a blended pattern on the workpiece;
• and
• wherein said method further comprises the steps of:
• generating a plurality of image signals corresponding to at least a portion of said blended pattern;
• energizing said plurality of engraving heads with said plurality of image signals.

A method for engraving a workpiece using a plurality of engraving heads comprising the steps of:

• situating a plurality of engraving heads in operative relationship with said workpiece;
• simultaneously energizing said plurality of engraving heads to engrave a blended pattern on the workpiece;
• and
• wherein said method further comprises the steps of:
• energizing said plurality of engraving heads to simultaneously engrave in substantially the same engraving track.

A method for engraving a workpiece using a plurality of engraving heads comprising the steps of:

• situating a plurality of engraving heads in operative relationship with said workpiece;
• simultaneously energizing said plurality of engraving heads to engrave a blended pattern on the workpiece;
• and
• wherein said plurality of heads comprises a first head and a second head, said method further comprises the step of:
• transmitting said image data corresponding to said blended pattern to account for a circumferential offset between said first head and said second head.

A method of engraving a pattern comprised of a plurality of tracks of engraved areas, comprising the steps of:

• engraving at least one of said plurality of tracks with a first head;
• engraving another of said plurality of tracks with a second head;
• and
• further comprising the steps of:
• determining a cylindrical offset between said first head and said second head;
• energizing said first and second engraving heads with drive signals in consideration of said cylindrical offset.

An engraver comprising:

• an engraving bed comprising a headstock and a tailstock mounted thereon;
• said headstock and tailstock being capable of rotatably supporting a cylinder therebetween;
• a carriage slidably mounted on said engraving bed;
• a first engraving head mounted on said carriage;
• a second engraving head mounted on said carriage, said first and second engraving heads having a circumferential offset therebetween;
• a controller coupled to said first and second engraving heads for independently energizing each of said first and second engraving heads to engrave at least one pattern on said cylinder wherein said at least one pattern comprises tracks of engraved areas which were engraved by said first and second engraving heads.

An engraver comprising:

• an engraving bed comprising a headstock and a tailstock mounted thereon;
• said headstock and tailstock being capable of rotatably supporting a cylinder therebetween;
• a carriage slidably mounted on said engraving bed;
• a first engraving head mounted on said carriage;
• a second engraving head mounted on said carriage, said first and second engraving heads having a circumferential offset therebetween;
• a controller coupled to said first and second engraving heads for energizing each of said first and second engraving heads to engrave at least one pattern on said cylinder wherein said at least one pattern comprises tracks of engraved areas which were engraved by said first and second engraving heads;
• wherein said circumferential offset is at least 18 degrees.

An engraver comprising:

• an engraving bed comprising a headstock and a tailstock mounted thereon;
• said headstock and tailstock being capable of rotatably supporting a cylinder therebetween;
• a carriage slidably mounted on said engraving bed;
• a first engraving head mounted on said carriage;
• a second engraving head mounted on said carriage, said first and second engraving heads having a circumferential offset therebetween;
• a controller coupled to said first and second engraving heads for energizing each of said first and second engraving heads to engrave at least one pattern on said cylinder wherein said at least one pattern comprises tracks of engraved areas which were engraved by said first and second engraving heads;
• wherein said engraving head comprises:
• a magnetorestrictive member coupled to a stylus.