Full Version: Evaluation of IKONmetal ?
From: PenTrophy (PENINSULATROPHY) [#1]
27 Sep 2006
To: ALL
Any one see this item (IKONmetal) at the recent shows.
What was your impression.....How thick is it... At $130+ a sheet (12x24) need to know more about the product. Does it hold up to the weather, does it bend..... etc..
From: Stunt Engraver (DGL) [#2]
27 Sep 2006
To: PenTrophy (PENINSULATROPHY) [#1] 27 Sep 2006
Mark,
It's supposed to be good for indoor/outdoor use.
Laser and rotary engravable, as well as sandcarvable.
There's a message board, devoted to the product at:
Not much action there yet.
The company is running a contest for creative use of Ikon Metal in awards and will display the winning entries at the upcoming ARA Las Vegas Show.
1st Place = $1,000
2nd Place = $750
3rd Place = $500
EDITED: 27 Sep 2006 by DGL
From: PenTrophy (PENINSULATROPHY) [#3]
27 Sep 2006
To: Stunt Engraver (DGL) [#2] 27 Sep 2006
Wonder if any of our members have actually used it ??
I believe it was featured by PhotoBrasive at the follwing trade shows:
ARA International Awards Market, March 1 – 4, Las Vegas: Booth # 261
ISA International Sign Expo, April 5 – 8, Orlando: Booth # 1002
Awards & Custom Gift/Sign Graphics Show, May 4 – 6, Fort Worth: Booth # 503
Awards & Custom Gift/Sign Graphics Show, June 1 -3, Indianapolis: Booth # 808
Awards & Custom Gift/Sign Graphics Show, July 20 – 22, Long Beach: Booth # 619
Awards & Custom Gift/Sign Graphics Show, August 24 – 26, Baltimore: Booth # 709
upcoming
Awards & Custom Gift/Sign Graphics Show, October 26 – 28, Charlotte: Booth # 707
EDITED: 27 Sep 2006 by PENINSULATROPHY
From: laserman (MIKEMAC) [#4]
27 Sep 2006
To: PenTrophy (PENINSULATROPHY) [#1] 27 Sep 2006
Mark,
I had a chance to play with some of this material. It is very durable for outdoor, There selection of colors are limited. It does laser well however it does not contrast well so color filling is needed.
I actually cut through a piece of 1/4 inch using 60 watts.
Lots of sparks flew sorta like fireworks but it did cut.
You might be able to bend it I think it is a resin of some sort. I would imagine if you heated it up you might be able to bend it.
From: Josh (WIZURD) [#5]
27 Sep 2006
To: ALL
It is actually a very cool material. Originally I tried to blast it but I could not get deeper than a surface etch. At the last ARA show I got another sample after I was told you could laser engrave it.
If I remember in the morning I will show my feable attempt at a first pass. I can see using it to create a 3-D custom medallion type image in short runs real quick. I'm sure the detail would be pretty good too if I played with the settings.
It is actually produced by Photobrasive. I know the company recently went through a name change or something but you can call them and get a sample to play with.
Josh
From: Harvey only (HARVEY-ONLY) [#6]
27 Sep 2006
To: Josh (WIZURD) [#5] 4 Oct 2006
I saw the laser demo running in Vegas. If I remember the image was pretty good. All you can basically remember is the fireworks while engraving.
It almost looks like a high carbon steel powder in epoxy when engraving. Just think of sharpening a screwdriver and you have the image.
From: Jer (DIAMOND) [#7]
27 Sep 2006
To: Harvey only (HARVEY-ONLY) [#6] 27 Sep 2006
From: Harvey only (HARVEY-ONLY) [#8]
27 Sep 2006
To: Jer (DIAMOND) [#7] 27 Sep 2006
From: Stunt Engraver (DGL) [#9]
28 Feb 2007
To: ALL
Some of you may have seen the finalists in the "Best use of IKON metal in awards" contest at the ARA show.
It was really my first chance to see the product first-hand.
I was surprised to find that the material has some weight, similar to metal. I originally thought it was merely a metal look-alike, and lightweight as you would find with most resin products.
Very impressive, in that, the material is very machineable (rotary, laser, sandcarve) and can actually (with proper compounds and buffing wheels) be polished to a high gloss finish.
I've asked for photos of the winning entry, which I'll display here, once it's received.
EDITED: 28 Feb 2007 by DGL
From: Engravin' Dave (DATAKES) [#10]
28 Feb 2007
To: Stunt Engraver (DGL) [#9] 28 Feb 2007
I would cross "sandcarve" off the list of tools to use on this material. I've had no luck with sandcarving IKONmetal. With 180 grit abrasive, it seems to simply deflect the abrasives.
I do like IKONmetal with the laser, using multiple passes for the depth I prefer. Those with higher powered lasers will especially love this material for high-end awards and small signs.
I run multiple passes in my 30-watt laser, touch up the piece with a quick sandblast, paint the whole piece, edges included, let dry, then lay the piece face-down on a sheet of fine grit sandpaper, rub back and forth to remove the paint on the surface, which exposes the raised letters and graphics, giving the piece a brushed finish. I then apply a couple coats of clear lacquer or polyurethane.
Below is a small sample I did early on. The engraving isn't to the depth I achieve now, but still looks nice.
EDITED: 28 Feb 2007 by DATAKES
From: Engravin' Dave (DATAKES) [#11]
28 Feb 2007
To: Stunt Engraver (DGL) [#9] 28 Feb 2007
David,
I forgot to mention that I used to sell these small bronze, magnesium or zinc plates like this for $65-$75. I would order them from Gemini or Pella Engraving.
I can now produce the exact same look and hopefully, durability, for a lower price to the customer and higher profit to my business. Win-Win!
You do have to have a means of cutting the material. I have not tried vector cutting it, but I have heard some people are doing it. I am sure it is with higher-powered lasers. (50-watt +)
I want a 50-watt! Give me a 50-watt! Waahhhhhh! :'-(
EDITED: 28 Feb 2007 by DATAKES
From: Stunt Engraver (DGL) [#12]
28 Feb 2007
To: Engravin' Dave (DATAKES) [#11] 28 Feb 2007
David,
You've seen the price of bronze castings these days. >.<
The people I talked to at the show (potential end users) saw making casting-like products as a way to provide a similar product, in-house, saving both the standard 4-6 week production time from Matthews etc., while pocketing more greenbacks. :-)
Good example, in your previous post.
There were some nice laser, vector-cut applications used in the production of the Ikon metal contest entries.
Expensive material?
Not necessarily, if you find the right application(s).
EDITED: 28 Feb 2007 by DGL
From: LaZerDude (C_BURKE) [#13]
28 Feb 2007
To: Engravin' Dave (DATAKES) [#10] 28 Feb 2007
So how DID you cut it?
This might be worth looking into.
Another question, if you have been sellling these to your customers and they have gladly been paying $65+ for them, why lower your price?
From: Engravin' Dave (DATAKES) [#14]
28 Feb 2007
To: LaZerDude (C_BURKE) [#13] 28 Feb 2007
It's lower, but not much lower. :-)
I cut mine with a safety saw. You could also use a table saw with a fine-toothed blade. I like to sandblast the edges a little to get rid of the tooth marks.
EDITED: 28 Feb 2007 by DATAKES
From: Engravin' Dave (DATAKES) [#15]
28 Feb 2007
To: LaZerDude (C_BURKE) [#13] 28 Feb 2007
From: LaZerDude (C_BURKE) [#16]
28 Feb 2007
To: Engravin' Dave (DATAKES) [#15] 28 Feb 2007
From: Engravin' Dave (DATAKES) [#17]
28 Feb 2007
To: LaZerDude (C_BURKE) [#16] 28 Feb 2007
From: Stunt Engraver (DGL) [#18]
25 Mar 2007
To: ALL
EDITED: 25 Mar 2007 by DGL
From: Zonas [#19]
25 Mar 2007
To: Engravin' Dave (DATAKES) [#10] 26 Mar 2007
I saw the material at the 2006 ARA show and was impressed, but didn't have a laser then (yes I could rotary, but not for some of the things I wanted to try). Since I didn't get to the show this year, I was so pleased when they called and asked if I would like a sample. I'm waiting for it to arrive. Since I don't have all the specs, etc. yet I'm going to ask. Can this material be used as markers in the cemetary?
Zona
From: Cody (BOBTNAILER) [#20]
25 Mar 2007
To: Zonas [#19] 26 Mar 2007
Zona,
The guy I talked to about using it outside was pushing the bronze colored material. He told me that it would be great outside, as long as it had a good coat (or three) of polyurethane. He said that all their tests were great on the stuff.
Are you looking at putting these on top of granite markers?
Cody
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