Athena Technologies' Liquid Blade 3D Aims to Equip Your 3D Printer for Precision Metal Etching

Athena Technologies has launched a crowdfunding campaign for an add-on that, it says, can convert almost any standard fused filament fabrication (FFF/FDM) 3D printer into a CNC metal etcher and cutter — using simple saltwater as an electrolyte.

"Traditional metalworking tools like CNC machines and laser cutters often come with a hefty price tag and require significant space and specialized knowledge," says Athena Technologies founder Marco Stefancich of the problem his company seeks to solve. "Liquid Blade 3D offers a compelling alternative. It leverages your existing 3D printer, transforming it into a precise metal etching system without the need for expensive machinery or hazardous chemicals. The add-on is designed for easy installation and seamless integration, allowing you to switch between 3D printing and metal etching with minimal effort."

Designed to replace the existing hot-end, the Liquid Blade 3D sprays a stream of saltwater (producible at home, the company says, by mixing table salt with tap water) onto the target metal before zapping it with an electrical current — slowly, but precisely, removing a layer of metal. So long as the metal is conductive, the company claims it's compatible — and that the device is precise down to 0.3mm (around 0.012").

The company claims the device as being compatible with "your existing 3D printer," though the confirmed compatibility list is relatively short: Stefancich confirms the add-on has been tested with the Creality Ender S3 V2, S1, and Pro, the Creality CR-10, and the Prusa i3 series, with support work in-progress for the Anycubic Kobra 3 V2, Koba 2, and Mega X 3D, Bambu Lab H2D and H2S series, and the Duet3D. "Other printer[s] are supported based on case-by-case valuation upon request," the founder says, with a "compatibility add-on" available as an optional extra.

The company says the tool is suitable for use-cases including PCB etching, jewelry production and customization, metal art, the creation of custom RF shields and antennas, and more — though at a 20mm (around 0.79") per minute etching speed it's considerably slower than dedicated CNC mills and laser-based etching systems.

Athena Technologies is crowdfunding final development and production of the Liquid Blade 3D on Kickstarter, with hardware starting at €350 (around $404) for "early bird" backers; devices are expected to ship in May next year, the company says. Examples of Liquid Blade 3D etching and cutting are available on the Athena Technologies website.