Abstract: In an engraving machine a scanning head on the carriage is positioned adjacent a reader drum, and an opposite cutter head is positioned adjacent an engraving drum. The scanning head is movable sideways so that test runs may be conducted along the side of a plate mounted on the engraving drum. The engraving drum and the scanning drum have clamps to hold a photograph and the engraving plate. As the scanning head senses a particular shade of the photograph or article being copied, the cutting head is moved toward the engraving drum to engrave the plate on the drum to a particular degree. Both drums rotate together, and the carriage is intermittently stepped along the drums by the lead screw. Two ground parallel bars support a carriage on three Nylatron sliders, each of which has three Nylatron shoes. A lead screw operated by a DC motor is connected to the carriage by centrally mounted split half nuts.