Step 1: Focus and Alignment
Before engraving, you must ensure the laser is perfectly focused on your material. Measure the thickness of your sterling silver disc (e.g., 11mm) and use the software to focus. If the red dots don’t align perfectly, manually adjust the laser head until they do.
Step 2: Refining the Design Nodes
Import your design into xTool Studio. You can use the “Edit” and “Nodes” tools (similar to Canva & Adobe Creative Suite) to remove fine lines or move elements to fit perfectly on small jewelry components.
Step 3: Precise Framing
Before hitting start, use the framing tool. Since camera alignment can be slightly off, manually move your design in the software until the laser frame perfectly matches your jewelry piece.
Step 4: Configuring High-Depth Settings
For sterling silver, set your material to “Sterling Silver” or “Manual” with these specific parameters:
- Power: 100%
- Speed: 200 mm/s
- Pass: 10
- Lines per cm: 300
- Mode: Bi-directional (to ensure an even, cross-hatched deep etch)
The estimated time is about 1 minute!
Step 5: The Multi-Pass Technique
To get a “gritty” depth that you can actually feel with your fingernail, perform another 10 passes. It is often efficient to run 10 passes, check the progress, and then run another 10 passes without moving the piece.
Step 6: Post-Engraving Cleaning
Deep engraving creates dark charring and soot. While rubbing alcohol removes some residue, the best way to reveal the clean, deep silver engraving is to scrub the piece with warm water and dish detergent.
💡Pro Tips!
- The “Double 10” Pass Technique: Instead of running one long session, run 10 passes, check the depth, and then run another 10 passes. This “multi-pass” approach builds a “gritty” texture that you can actually feel, which is much more durable for jewelry that will be worn daily.
- Use Bi-Directional Cross-Hatching: Ensure your settings are set to bi-directional rather than one-way. This creates a cross-hatch pattern (300 lines per cm is recommended) that results in a smoother, more professional-looking deep engraving.
- Don’t Overlook Manual Framing: Cameras can be slightly off-center. Always use the framing tool to see the physical laser square on your piece, and manually nudge the design in your software until it is perfectly aligned with the actual jewelry.
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