Laser engraving machines are very practical. With the appropriate power, they cut through various surfaces and turn wood, metal, glass and other surfaces into unique gifts. The iKier K1 Pro Max comes with a particularly powerful 48-watt laser and also offers other amenities to achieve even better results. Our iKier K1 Pro Max test explains what the device has to offer.
Technical data
| The product | iKier K1 Pro Max |
| Engraving size | 410 mm x 410 mm |
| Laser power | 48 watts / 24 watts |
| Engraving precision | 0.01mm accuracy |
| Laser focal length | 40 mm |
| Main board | 32-bit control board with Wi-Fi |
| Operating systems | Windows, macOS, Android, iOS |
| File formats | SVG, DXF, JPG, JPEG, PNG, BMP, TIF, CR2, etc. |
| Interfaces | USB, Wi-Fi, microSD card |
| Operation | 4.3-inch touchscreen; LightBurn; LaserGRBL |
| Weight | 12 kg |
| Dimensions | 650 mm x 750 mm x 222 mm |
| Price | € 1,566.17 (€ 120.47 / kg)* |
iKier K1 Pro Max Test: Scope of delivery and assembly
- extensive scope of delivery
- quick and easy to assemble
The iKier K1 Pro Max arrives in a large cardboard box, inside which all components are securely packed in foam. In addition to the necessary accessories, we also find several instructions and safety goggles included in the scope of delivery.
Once we have unpacked everything, the laser engraving machine first needs to be assembled. For example, the X and Y axes need to be connected to each other, which is quick and easy thanks to the practical openings and large screws with Allen key.
Then we put on the Z-axis tube and mount the switch. The laser module can simply be pushed into the holder and then tightened with two screws. The only thing left to do is to connect the cables and the control panel, which is also quick and easy. Unfortunately, this part is missing from the instructions – and we also had what we thought was a superfluous cable in the scope of delivery.
Even non-experts can assemble the K1 Pro Max quickly, and the manufacturer’s unboxing video, which shows all the steps involved, is also helpful:
iKier K1 Pro Max test: design and workmanship
- robust and high-quality design
- practical 24W/48W switch
- very good laser cooling system
The iKier K1 Pro Max measures 650 mm x 500 mm x 153 mm and weighs around 12 kg. The solid and robust design, combined with the non-slip, rubberized feet, ensures a secure hold on the table and other surfaces.
All cables are connected to the front frame in the bottom left-hand corner. This is also where the 4.3-inch touchscreen is located, which you can use to operate the laser engraving machine. The manufacturer has placed a USB-A port above it, which means that engraving work can also be carried out offline. Alternatively, it can be connected to a PC or notebook, whereby macOS is also supported.
The laser unit is located in the Z-axis above. It is housed in an air protection box, which provides additional safety. There is also a switch on it to switch the laser of the iKier K1 Pro Max between 48 watts and 24 watts of power.
Inside the box, the laser is reliably cooled by a dual air duct system with four copper pipes, so that high temperatures do not occur even during prolonged work. At the same time, the air flow can be adjusted using LightBurn. A strong airflow is recommended for cutting and a light one for engraving – this ensures clean and detailed results. The workmanship is high quality, there is absolutely nothing to complain about here.
iKier K1 Pro Max in a practical test
- innovative automatic laser lowering
- Autofocus and positioning aid
With its 48-watt laser, the iKier K1 Pro Max naturally has plenty of steam under the hood and can handle various materials such as wood, stone, metal and even mirrors or stainless steel with ease.
To achieve particularly convincing and detailed results, the K1 Pro Max has several aces up its sleeve. These include, for example, automatic lowering, which increases the maximum cutting depth by 25 percent compared to similar competitor products, with better results.
In practice, even thicker materials can be cut safely as several layers are cut. With each pass, the iKier K1 Pro Max lowers the laser module. Even 20 centimeter thick wood panels are no problem for the laser engraver.
At the same time, supporting technologies such as autofocus or precise positioning with the help of an infrared cross provide additional convenience, thanks to which even non-professionals can quickly achieve impressive results.
However, this only works if you have set everything up correctly beforehand either in LightBurn or on the device’s touchscreen – the iKier K1 Pro Max is undoubtedly not a plug-and-play solution, but it is still quick and easy to set up.
We had problems with the crosshairs, as they are unfortunately not exactly where the laser is, which is a little confusing. In our case, the crosshairs were 5 cm further to the right. In addition, the iKier app for Android was not usable.
Performance of the iKier K1 Pro Max
- enormously high speed
- various operating modes
- very precise results
Once everything is set up correctly, the iKier K1 Pro Max gets to work. And this is where the laser engraving machine shows its strengths. One special feature is the rapid engraving speed of a whopping 900 mm per second. This allows the laser to work its way through wood, leather or metal in no time at all.
However, depending on the material, you may have to play with the speed and power to achieve the perfect result. But here, too, once the right settings have been found, the results of the iKier K1 Pro Max are completely convincing.
The device accurately reproduces even the finest details of the originals, whereby even narrow lines are perfectly recognizable. You can also switch between three operating modes. The high-speed mode calls up the maximum speed of the iKier K1 Pro Max, while the high-precision mode focuses on a particularly high level of detail at lower speeds. Alternatively, the balanced mode offers the ideal middle ground.
To ensure that safety is not neglected during high-performance laser cutting and engraving, the manufacturer iKier has also thought about this and installed various mechanisms. A gyroscope interrupts work when the laser engraving machine is not standing on a surface, and the device also detects flames and other sources of danger quickly and reliably and switches itself off automatically.
Furthermore, the iKier K1 Pro Max can only be switched on in conjunction with the safety key. Another practical feature: after a power failure or if the power cable is disconnected, the device picks up exactly where it left off after reconnection.
iKier K1 Pro Max test: Conclusion
The iKier K1 Pro Max is an excellent and extremely powerful laser engraving machine that cuts through or engraves a wide variety of materials with ease. The sophisticated design and high-quality workmanship are just as appealing as the innovative ideas.
The ability to adjust the laser in two stages is just as unique as the almost unbelievable speed of up to 900 mm/s. At the same time, the safety aspects are not neglected, so that you can always work with a clear conscience.
Although the iKier K1 Pro Max first needs to be set up and adjusted correctly, once the setup is complete, the results are impressive across the board.
iKier K1 Pro Max
Design & workmanship
Performance
Precision
Value for money
92/100
Powerful and extremely fast laser engraving machine that delivers extremely precise results and leaves nothing to be desired in terms of safety.
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