Laser engraving means incising lines directly into painted metal, glass, sandstone, wood, cardboard, leather, etc. Laser engraving uses a laser to vaporize a preprogrammed pattern into the surface of the material. The technique does not involve tool bits which contact the engraving surface and wear out. This is considered an advantage over alternative engraving technologies where bit heads have to be replaced regularly. Despite this complexity, very precise and clean engravings can be achieved at a high rate.