Etching steel with Ikier X70 laser engraver

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adbuch
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Etching steel with Ikier X70 laser engraver

Post by adbuch »

I was recently asked if it is possible to etch steel using the Ikier X70 Pro 70 Watt diode laser cutter. I know that Tom and perhaps some of the others have this model. I purchased mine a while back, but still don't have it completely set up yet. I would appreciate any feedback from fellow members who may have some personal experience with this.

Thanks,
David
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Re: Etching steel with Ikier X70 laser engraver

Post by acourtjester »

I seems the diode lasers are not the right frequency to etch steel, you can mark Stainless. But that is more like Sudo etching as it does not remove metal. Fiber lasers are more likely to etch steel and are in a different class then diode lasers. I have acid etched aluminum by using a resist on the metal and using the laser to remove the resist in a pattern before acid etching. Similar process to this video only he used a CO-2 laser the diode will do the same.
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Re: Etching steel with Ikier X70 laser engraver

Post by 05Duramax »

Cool video, cool process :Like
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Re: Etching steel with Ikier X70 laser engraver

Post by acourtjester »

I you want to do steel you should get a IR laser

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Re: Etching steel with Ikier X70 laser engraver

Post by acourtjester »

IR laser module for use on diode laser base
https://www.ikier.com/collections/laser ... 4728303936
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Re: Etching steel with Ikier X70 laser engraver

Post by adbuch »

Tom - they say this one will work well with steel. It's too bad they don't have one that will do both wood and steel.
David

https://www.ikier.com/products/ikier-k1 ... 1813204288
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Re: Etching steel with Ikier X70 laser engraver

Post by acourtjester »

I guess that is the problem buying things when the first come out. :HaHa After looking at the ad what is the difference with pulsed or non-pulsed. What is the difference between IR and fiber laser :Yay
I tell my wife they come out with something different so you need to buy another one. :Sad
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Re: Etching steel with Ikier X70 laser engraver

Post by adbuch »

https://www.ikier.com/collections/laser ... 4728303936

There is also a nice comparison chart showing the some samples on various materials for the one we have vs. the fiber laser (1064nm).
The results look better for everything except the wood engraving, where the K1 (455 nm) does a much better job. They don's show a comparison of just cutting wood, so I don't know what the difference would be there.

David
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Re: Etching steel with Ikier X70 laser engraver

Post by adbuch »

acourtjester wrote: Fri Jan 17, 2025 11:29 am I guess that is the problem buying things when the first come out. :HaHa After looking at the ad what is the difference with pulsed or non-pulsed. What is the difference between IR and fiber laser :Yay
I tell my wife they come out with something different so you need to buy another one. :Sad
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Tom - as far as I know - IR laser and fiber laser refer to the same thing. Wavelength of 1164nm. Our Ikier K1 lasers are 455 nm.
I haven't even got mine setup and running yet, but it's on the list.

David
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Re: Etching steel with Ikier X70 laser engraver

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acourtjester wrote: Fri Jan 17, 2025 11:29 am I guess that is the problem buying things when the first come out. :HaHa After looking at the ad what is the difference with pulsed or non-pulsed. What is the difference between IR and fiber laser :Yay
I tell my wife they come out with something different so you need to buy another one. :Sad
pulsed.JPG
Tom - I bought my Ikier K70 with the intention of cutting or engraving wood, cutting gaskets, and other "mundane" tasks. I really had no intention of etching or engraving steel - and only started this thread since Andrew (fellow member) had asked if mine would engrave steel. So I don't feel bad at all that it is not really intended for use on steel.

If I really had a need or interest in working with steel, then I suppose I would "pony up" for the IR fiber laser setup. It turns out that Andrew ordered an Xtool D1 with IR head - both from Amazon.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0BF5 ... CPY1&psc=1

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0B8D ... CPY1&psc=1




These do look interesting and are less expensive than the Ikier alternative. The Xtool D1 has been discontinued as of the first of this year - so I someone wanted one - it would probably be good to order one while supplies last.

He paid less for his entire setup that Ikier gets just for that 20W IR head with power supply. I think that one - which you showed at your post above, is around $1400 just for the head/power supply. Ikier gets around $2500 or so for the whole setup - from what I remember.



David
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Re: Etching steel with Ikier X70 laser engraver

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Re: Etching steel with Ikier X70 laser engraver

Post by acourtjester »

Like many thing "different strokes for different folks" :HaHa :HaHa I am happy with the Ikier and have the same reason as you for buying it. It is more powerful then the other laser I bought,(Otur master 2) and I have used it for many projects. It can do many things but not all, with tools we buy they work well and do what we want, or we buy something the will. I think Andrew was doing the research to find what would work for him, there are so many things on the market. Better to ask others then trusting what the ad or sale person is saying. PS has sure help many in that endeavour. :Like :Like I also bought the rotary option for the Iker (not used it yet) but have one for the Otur and did some glass etching. Test glass and flat glass, Fun stuff. And some wood plaques
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Re: Etching steel with Ikier X70 laser engraver

Post by adbuch »

Tom - that rotary option seem like a pretty cool add-on! I'm not sure exactly what I would do with one, but I may get some ideas.
David
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Re: Etching steel with Ikier X70 laser engraver

Post by acourtjester »

It is mostly used to mark/etch circular items, like mugs, wine glasses, tumblers, wood like a cane/bat. Similar to using a pipe cutter for just marking not cutting. In the past you talked about making candle holders for gifts, it could be used for similar type gifts. :Like
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