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Expose workpieces to acid to develop etch patterns such as designs, lettering, or figures.
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Neutralize workpieces to remove acid, wax, or enamel, using water, solvents, brushes, or specialized machines.
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Examine sketches, diagrams, samples, blueprints, or photographs to decide how designs are to be etched, cut, or engraved onto workpieces.
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Engrave and print patterns, designs, etchings, trademarks, or lettering onto flat or curved surfaces of a wide variety of metal, glass, plastic, or paper items, using hand tools or hand-held power tools.
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Set reduction scales to attain specified sizes of reproduction on workpieces, and set pantograph controls for required heights, depths, and widths of cuts.
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Remove wax or tape from etched glassware by using a stylus or knife, or by immersing ware in hot water.
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Clean and polish engraved areas.
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Prepare etching chemicals according to formulas, diluting acid with water to obtain solutions of specified concentration.
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Determine machine settings, and move bars or levers to reproduce designs on rollers or plates.
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Sketch, trace, or scribe layout lines and designs on workpieces, plates, dies, or rollers, using compasses, scribers, gravers, or pencils.
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Examine engraving for quality of cut, burrs, rough spots, and irregular or incomplete engraving.
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Insert cutting tools or bits into machines and secure them with wrenches.
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Start machines and lower cutting tools to beginning points on patterns.
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Position and clamp workpieces, plates, or rollers in holding fixtures.
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Prepare workpieces for etching or engraving by cutting, sanding, cleaning, polishing, or treating them with wax, acid resist, lime, etching powder, or light-sensitive enamel.
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Remove completed workpieces and place them in trays.
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Sandblast exposed areas of glass to cut designs in surfaces, using spray guns.
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Adjust depths and sizes of cuts by adjusting heights of worktables, or by adjusting machine-arm gauges.
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Brush or wipe acid over engraving to darken or highlight inscriptions.
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Inspect etched work for depth of etching, uniformity, and defects, using calibrated microscopes, gauges, fingers, or magnifying lenses.
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Print proofs or examine designs to verify accuracy of engraving, and rework engraving as required.
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Transfer image to workpiece, using contact printer, pantograph stylus, silkscreen printing device, or stamp pad.
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Fill etched characters with opaque paste to improve readability.
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Measure and compute dimensions of lettering, designs, or patterns to be engraved.
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Use computer software to design patterns for engraving.
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Guide stylus over template, causing cutting tool to duplicate design or letters on workpiece.