At SHOT Show 2026, Eric Gross of AxisWorks LLC stood in front of a precision rifle build that represented a true industry collaboration. Multiple companies contributed components and finishing processes. AxisWorks handled the deep laser engraving on the metal rifle components. Nevada Cerakote laser marked a green digital camo pattern on the rifle stock using Cerakote Laser Imaging.
The result was a technically advanced, visually aggressive rifle platform that demonstrated what modern laser systems can accomplish in defense manufacturing and high-end firearms production.
Watch the AxisWorks Video Testimonial
In this on-site interview filmed at SHOT Show 2026, Eric Gross explains how TYKMA fiber laser systems support AxisWorks’ contract manufacturing and long-range rifle building operation.
He discusses:
- Fiber laser part marking and barrel marking
- Deep laser engraving on firearm components
- Expanding into Cerakote marking and imaging
- The long-term partnership and support from TYKMA
Hearing it directly from a manufacturer operating in the defense and firearms space carries weight. This is not theory. It is real production use inside a working facility.
About AxisWorks and Laser Engraving
AxisWorks is a contract manufacturing company specializing in long-range rifle builds. Their operation combines CNC machining, part marking, barrel marking, and advanced finishing processes.
As Eric Gross explains in the testimonial, TYKMA’s fiber laser systems are central to their workflow:
“We use their fiber laser systems for all of our part marking, barrel marking and getting heavily involved now with Cerakoting and marking over top of Cerakoting.”
For defense manufacturers and CNC shops, that means:
- Permanent, compliant part marking
- Barrel serialization and traceability
- Deep laser engraving on hardened metal components
- Laser marking over Cerakote coatings
Deep laser engraving and serialized marking are production-critical processes built for regulated industries.
Cerakote Laser Imaging, on the other hand, allows manufacturers to apply detailed camouflage patterns, logos, and even serial numbers over coated surfaces without stencils or secondary masking operations.
Together, these capabilities give firearms manufacturers both compliance-driven marking and high-end cosmetic customization within the same laser workflow.
Deep Laser Engraving for Firearms Manufacturing
On the collaboration rifle showcased at SHOT Show, AxisWorks performed deep laser engraving on the metal components. For firearms manufacturers, this capability is critical:
- ATF-compliant serial numbers
- Logos and manufacturer marks
- Deep engraving that remains legible after coating or refinishing
- High contrast marking on steel and alloy components
Fiber laser systems allow shops to move beyond surface-level marks and into deep engraving profiles that hold up under use, coating, and environmental exposure.
For CNC contract manufacturers working in defense, this means eliminating secondary processes and bringing part marking fully in-house.
Cerakote Laser Imaging on Rifle Stocks
The rifle’s stock featured a green digital camo pattern applied through Cerakote Laser Imaging by Nevada Cerakote.
This process uses laser technology to selectively remove or alter Cerakote layers to reveal contrasting patterns. It allows:
- Multi-layer camouflage patterns
- Brand artwork and logos
- Serialized or custom text over coated parts
- High-detail graphics without masks or stencils
If you want a deeper breakdown of how this works in a production environment, read our full Customer Spotlight: Nevada Cerakote post, where we detail their Cerakote Laser Imaging workflow and application capabilities.
For defense contractors and premium firearms builders, Cerakote Laser Imaging adds a functional and aesthetic layer that differentiates products without compromising durability.
Six Years of Partnership and Support
AxisWorks has been working with TYKMA for six years. As Eric shared:
“The TYKMA team has been absolutely amazing… from the time we got our first machine until now, we’re looking at buying more equipment.”
He emphasized that the value goes beyond the hardware:
“When you get in with TYKMA, you’re not just getting machines, you’re getting a whole support system.”
That level of support is something other manufacturers reiterated as well. In Curtis Iovito’s interview, owner of Spartan Blades, put it bluntly:
“Are they cheap? No, because they’re good, and the service is good.”
For manufacturers in regulated industries, support matters. Fast technical assistance, accessible engineers, and long-term partnership are not optional. They directly affect uptime and production flow.
Read the full Spartan Blades testimonial to see how they use their TYKMA system for multi-layer titanium deep engraving and color marking.
AxisWorks credits both the equipment and the service team for helping expand their internal capabilities and scale their operation.
Built for Defense, CNC, and Firearms Applications
This collaboration rifle at SHOT Show 2026 wasn’t just a display piece. It was proof of concept for:
- Contract manufacturers adding in-house laser marking
- Firearms builders performing deep engraving and barrel marking
- Cerakote shops integrating laser imaging into finishing workflows
- Defense suppliers needing permanent, compliant identification
Fiber laser systems are becoming a core part of modern manufacturing infrastructure, not just an add-on.
More from SHOT Show 2026
This testimonial is part of our ongoing content release from SHOT Show 2026.
Visit the SHOT Show 2026 Highlights page to explore the full coverage and see how laser technology is being used across defense, firearms, and advanced manufacturing.
Ready to Add Deep Laser Engraving to Your Workflow?
If you’re a CNC shop, firearms manufacturer, or defense contractor looking to bring part marking, deep laser engraving, or Cerakote Laser Imaging in-house, this is a proven production setup, not a concept.
The AxisWorks collaboration shows what’s possible when fiber laser systems are fully integrated into real manufacturing workflows.
For defense-specific compliance, traceability, and permanent identification requirements, explore our dedicated laser marking solutions for military and defense page.
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