Gravotech CNC Station IS400 

The Gravotech IS400 CNC Station is an industrial rotary engraving machine built for precision marking, signage production, and light milling across a wide range of materials. Powered by a high-frequency spindle, Point & Shoot positioning, and GravoStyle Discovery software, the IS400 delivers consistent engraving on any surface — flat or non-flat — without permanent operator supervision.

Available in standard and IS400 Volume configurations, where the Volume model offers the largest Z stroke in its class at 400 mm (15.75 in), this CNC engraver scales from medium-sized parts to bulky industrial components including aeronautical landing gear, automotive engine blocks, and funeral urns. Also referenced as the IS400 CNC machine, this platform is a proven solution for manufacturers, signmakers, engravers, and industrial traceability teams who demand consistent results at production speed.

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Key Features

  • IS400 volume - biggest stroke available in the industry 
    • With a maximum object height of 400 mm (15.75 in) — compared to 105 mm (4.13 in) on the standard IS400 — the IS400 Volume unlocks capabilities unavailable on any other CNC engraver in its class. Its motorized fixing system transitions between flat and cylindrical engraving without readjustment, and its large cylinder capacity (350 mm / 13.77 in diameter) makes it the leading solution for bulky industrial parts including funeral urns, aeronautical landing gear, and automotive engine blocks.
  • Standard or Integrable - You are free to define your own engraving axis, tilt angle, and automation to work at a competitive cost on rail or aviation components, wind turbine blades, etc. 
    • Detach the IS400 base and mount the engraving head directly to a production line, gantry, or custom fixture for in-place marking. The IS400 Top configuration makes it one of the few compact CNC engravers that can also function as a fully integrated in-line industrial marking station. Custom engraving axis orientation and tilt angle support make it a practical choice for aerospace, rail, and energy sector traceability requirements where parts cannot be brought to the machine.
  • Optimized Accessories – Customize your equipment with your own tools, automatic plate feeders, large engraving tools, and jigs for all shapes of objects 
    • The IS400's accessory ecosystem supports the full range of professional rotary engraving applications. Switch between flat and cylindrical engraving in under 30 seconds using the cylinder attachment. Add the automatic plate feeder for unattended mass production runs. Choose from Diamond, Twincut, Onecut, or Percut engraving tools depending on material hardness and application requirements. The Braille ADA kit converts the IS400 into a compliant ADA sign production station — extending its value into code-compliant architectural signage alongside standard rotary engraving workflows.

Technical Specifications

Main CharacteristicsEquipment
IS400 IS400 Volume
Technology Rotary, scribing Rotary, scribing
Marking area max (L x W) 305 X 210 mm (12 x 8 in) 305 X 210 mm (12 x 8 in)
Spindle Power 90W (Optional spindle: 150 W) 90W (Optional spindle: 150 W)
Max object size (L X W x H) Unlimited x 230 mm (9 in) Unlimited x 230 mm (9 in)
Max size weight 20 kg - 44 lbs 20 kg - 44 lbs
Machine Dimensions (L x W x H) 893 X 610 X 435 mm 900 x 615 x 840 mm
Machine Weight 42 Kg (92.6 lbs) 90 Kg (148.4 lbs)
Type of Spindle Top load spindle or collet spindle Top load spindle or collet spindle
Noise 80 dB 80 dB
Point & shoot Yes Yes
Operating temperature 5 C (41 F) - 40 C (104 F) 5 C (41 F) - 40 C (104 F)
Connection to computer USB USB
Maximum speed 25 mm/s (.98 in/s) 25 mm/s (.98 in/s)
Z stroke (Z travel) 40 mm (1.57 in) 40 mm (1.57 in)
Rotation speed max 20,000 rpm max 20,000 rpm
Tool diameter 4.36 mm (0.17 in) 4.36 mm (0.17 in)

Applications

The Gravotech IS400 CNC engraving machine handles a broad range of industrial and commercial marking, signage, and traceability applications. Below are the primary use cases served by Big City Manufacturing customers:

  • Electrical labels 
    • The IS400 engraves phenolic, aluminum, and laminate electrical label blanks with consistent depth and character quality across standard and custom formats. The automatic plate feeder accessory enables unattended batch production of electrical labels — reducing operator time on repetitive marking runs while maintaining consistent engraving depth across each piece.
  • Sign engraving  
    • Cut and engrave laminate, aluminum composite, and phenolic sign blanks for architectural, directional, ADA-compliant, and safety signage. The IS400's 305 x 210 mm (12 x 8 in) marking area accommodates standard sign formats in a single pass, and the Braille ADA kit enables compliant tactile signage production — making the IS400 a complete ADA sign engraving solution for trophy shops, sign companies, and institutional facilities managers.
  • Gift engraving 
    • Personalize trophies, plaques, awards, and promotional items in standard or cylindrical formats. The IS400's cylinder attachment enables curved-surface engraving on bottles, barrels, and rounded awards without re-fixturing, and GravoStyle supports variable text and batch templating for fast, error-free personalization across short production runs.
  • Identification and equipment traceability 
    • Permanently mark metal nameplates, asset tags, equipment panels, and industrial components for serial number tracking, compliance labeling, and part identification. The IS400 Volume's extended Z stroke and motorized fixturing handle large, bulky components — including engine blocks, landing gear, and industrial assemblies — that cannot be brought to standard bench-top engravers. The IS400 Top configuration further supports in-line traceability directly on the production floor without removing parts from the line.
  • Express engraving
    • For storefronts, award shops, and on-demand personalization services, the IS400's Point & Shoot feature and GravoStyle job-launch workflow minimize turnaround time per piece. Its broad material compatibility and robust spindle handle daily production volume without requiring reconfiguration between materials — making it a reliable choice for high-traffic retail and service environments.
  • Personalizing and engraving jewelry
    • Engrave rings, bracelets, pendants, and small jewelry pieces using precision rotary or diamond drag scribing. The IS400's adjustable spindle speed and fine tool diameter options (down to 3 mm with the optional spindle) support detailed engraving on small, high-value pieces with consistent results across batch and single-item production runs.

Ready to add the Gravotech IS400 to your workflow?

Contact Big City Manufacturing for a custom quote, product demo, or application consultation. Our team can help identify the right IS400 configuration — standard or Volume — spindle option, and accessories for your production requirements.

Easy-to-use GravoStyle Software 

Gravostyle™ is a professional engraving and cutting software that puts Gravotech engraving expertise within reach. Benefit from advanced possibilities and save time! Some unique features available include Braille, Photostyle, Print & Cut, and more. 

GravoStyle Discovery is Gravotech's professional CAD/CAM engraving software, included with every IS400 and IS400 Volume. It consolidates layout design, job management, and machine control into a single interface — reducing setup time and minimizing operator training requirements between jobs. GravoStyle supports Point & Shoot job launching, allowing operators to photograph a workpiece, position artwork, and execute the job directly from the software without manual measurement. The software is also compatible with CorelDraw and Adobe Illustrator for seamless artwork import from third-party design applications.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What is the Gravotech IS400 CNC Station?
A: The Gravotech IS400 CNC Station is an industrial rotary engraving machine designed for signage, part traceability, light milling, and labeling across a wide range of materials — from soft plastics to hardened steel. Available in standard IS400 and IS400 Volume configurations, with the Volume model offering the largest Z stroke in its class at 400 mm (15.75 in).

Q: What is the difference between the IS400 and IS400 Volume?
A: The standard IS400 supports a maximum object height of 105 mm (4.13 in) and a cylinder diameter of 120 mm (4.72 in) — suited for medium-sized parts. The IS400 Volume supports objects up to 400 mm (15.75 in) tall and 350 mm (13.77 in) in diameter, with a motorized system that transitions between flat and cylindrical engraving without readjustment. The Volume model is designed for bulky industrial parts like funeral urns, aeronautical landing gear, and automotive engine blocks.

Q: What materials can the IS400 engrave?
A: The IS400 engraves all materials from the softest plastics (including PEHD) to the hardest metals (including steel). Compatible materials include aluminum, brass, stainless steel, anodized metals, acrylic, wood, leather, glass, and laminate composites. Both rotary and scribing (diamond drag) engraving technologies are supported.

Q: Does the IS400 support ADA Braille engraving?
A: Yes. The IS400 is compatible with the Braille ADA kit accessory, which converts it into a compliant ADA sign production station. This supports code-compliant architectural signage production alongside standard rotary engraving.

Q: Can the IS400 be integrated into a production line?
A: Yes. The IS400 Top configuration removes the machine base to allow the engraving head to mount directly to a production line, gantry, or custom fixture. Custom engraving axis, tilt angle, and automation support make it a practical in-line industrial marking station for aerospace, rail, and energy sector traceability applications.

Q: What accessories are available for the Gravotech IS400?
A: Available accessories include Diamond, Twincut, Onecut, and Percut engraving tools; tool lubrication system; regulating and suction noses; chip collectors; pen attachment system; cylinder attachment; aluminum clamping table; Braille ADA kit; flange table; and automatic plate feeder for mass production.

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