ROTOGRAVURE ENGRAVING WITH DIAMONDS Critical Features the Diamond Engraving Tool The diamond tool for rotogravure engraving (stylus) always employs a monocrystalline diamond. Most are natural diamonds, some are synthotic. The stylus has a flat rake Face with an included angle at the point (angles vary from 90 degrees to 160 degrees, with 120 and 130 degrees being most common), Relief angles are cut onto the sides of the included angle, so that the tool can be used for cutting (making, chips). the Diamond Tool In Use On all rotogravure engraving machines, the diamond tool is plunged into the surface of a rotating copper plated cylinder. This plunging motion is created by an electromagnetic vibrating head operating between 2000 and 8000 hertz. The combination of the plunging motion and the rotary motion of the cylinder produce a hole (cell) which is rhombus-shaped at the surface. Generally the cells are interconnected, which means that the tip of the diamond does not completely withdraw from the copper between cells. Cells are up to 200 microns wide and up to 50 microns deep. Quality of the Diamond Fundamental to the performance of a diamond stylus is the quality: of the diamond. Ist quality pale yellow dodecahedron natural die stones with no internal flaws and minimal inclusions make the best tools. Except for color, these diamonds are better quality than gem stones, Similarly, when choosing a monocrystalline synthetic diamond, uniform crystal lattico and minimal inclusions are important characteristics.