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Interview with a Sales Engineer: What’s The DE-3?

March 24, 2023 By Katie Elhardt

The Roland DGA DE-3 is a compact rotary engraver that can inscribe a wide variety of materials. It is commonly used for ADA signage, customization, and control paneling. Read this interview to hear about the machine from the perspective of Senior Sales Engineer, Max Semko. 

Meet Max Semko

Can you tell us a little bit about yourself?

I started selling Roland DGA machines for Purple in 2013, since it opened a new avenue for our existing customer base. I like selling Roland because historically we are a company that represents additive manufacturing and by selling Roland, we are adding subtractive manufacturing to the offerings.  For 10 years we just sold CNC milling machines, but we noticed companies wanting engraved customized items. Luckily, Roland DGA had a solution.

Meet the Roland DGA DE-3

Can you describe the DE-3?

The Roland DGA DE-3 is a desktop solution that can engrave on several different materials. Its small footprint and portability make it a great option for companies. It has a 12” x 9” work area and can engrave a material up to 1.57” thick.

The machine has a LED laser that pinpoints the start detection of the origin point, ensuring the engraving will be accurate and aligned. The spindle of the DE-3 is between 5,000 and 20,000 RPM depending on the material.

DE-3 machine

Obviously, different items and materials will take different amounts of time to engrave. For example, one control panel can take around 5 minutes to engrave and a larger sign can take around 30 minutes, including assembly and post-processing.

What materials can the Roland DGA DE-3 engrave?

There is a wide range of materials that can be engraved on the DE-3. Here is a list of said materials:

  • ABS
  • Acrylic
  • Aluminum
  • Bare metals
  • Brass
  • Ceramic
  • Clay
  • Fiberglass
  • Glass
  • Gold
  • Marble
  • Plastic
  • Platinum
  • Polycarbonate
  • PVC
  • Quartz
  • Silver
  • Stone
  • Wood (all types)

What industries that would benefit from this machine?

Aerospace
Personalization & to mark components

Automotive
Personalization & to mark components

Consumer Goods
Customization & gifting

Existing Customers
Personalization

Medical

Medical Device
Scribe, Signage, Name plates

What's the difference between rotary and laser engravers?

A rotary engraver has a wide variety of applications, from ADA braille to custom signs and serialization. Its LED laser makes it easier to use and creates a smaller footprint than a laser engraver. It can create multiple depths and a solid surface texture, which produces that classic engraved look. A rotary engraver can work on a variety of materials, leaving their characteristics intact after engraving.

A laser engraver has photographic quality and halftone capabilities, creating precise results. It is easy to use but has a larger footprint, requiring more space. Laser engravers are not an ideal choice for most applications since they can alter the characteristics of a material, such as color and mechanical performance.

Enhance the volume of your existing products by adding personalization with the Roland DGA DE-3 rotary engraver. With multiple applications, almost any industry can benefit from this machine to amplify production. For more information about the Roland DGA DE-3, feel free to email us at [email protected] or call us at 949.474.9222.

katie

Meet Katie Elhardt

Meet our Marketing Coordinator, Katie Elhardt. Katie is responsible for helping maintain the company website, social media, and events. Her favorite part about Purple is the innovative technology and the company culture.

Outside of work, Katie enjoys attending 80’s concerts, going to Disneyland, and taking long walks near the beach. If you haven’t had the chance to meet her yet, stop by our office or connect on LinkedIn!

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    16842 Hale Ave.
    Irvine, CA 92606
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CONTACT OUR TEAM

949.474.9222
[email protected]

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