®

TM

Cartridge Machine
USER MANUAL

FK Irons, EXO
5-12VDC 1A

2021
INDEX

Safety Notice 3

Machine Overview 4

The Grip 5

The Body 6

The PowerBolt 7

The RCA Module 8

Switching Power Options 9

Charging Your Machine 10

Adjusting Needle Depth 11

eGive with RCA Module 12

eGive with PowerBolt 13

Additional Information 14

Troubleshooting 15
USER MANUAL
SAFETY NOTICE

CLASS III SYMBOL

A Class III appliance is designed to be supplied from a separated/safety
extra-low voltage (SELV) power source. The voltage from a SELV supply is
low enough that under normal conditions a person can safely come into
contact with it without risk of electrical shock. The extra safety features
built into Class I and Class II appliances are, therefore not required. For
medical devices, compliance with Class III is not considered sufficient
protection, and more stringent regulations apply to such equipment.

TECHNICAL DATA
Operating Voltage: 5 - 12 V DC
Current: 1A
Stitch Frequency: 25 -160 Hz
Stroke: 2.5, 3.2 or 4 mm
Connection: USB-C
Drive: Brushless 9-watt motor
Operating Mode: Continuous operation
Ambient Temperature: +10 to +35° C
Relative Humidity: 30 to 75%
Dimensions (Ø X L): 35 x 125 mm
Weight: Approx. 189 g

BARRIER PROTECTING YOUR MACHINE

Although the grip is autoclavable, we strongly suggest the use of barrier products to protect your
machine. For a visual demonstration of many barrier protection methods, please visit FK Irons’
YouTube channel.

This device is only for use by trained tattoo artists and not for the use by children or persons of reduced physical,
sensory or mental capabilities.

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USER MANUAL
Dynamic power path
MACHINE OVERVIEW management USB-C Li-ion
battery with capacity and
voltage LED indicator

USB-C connectivity

Bluetooth-enabled:
Pair with Darklab app

Traditional RCA
power module

9-watt brushless motor

Interchangable battery
Ratcheted, adjustable
or RCA module:
needle depth system
instantly switch from
cable to wireless
Direct Drive: 3 stroke
options available

THE EXO Ergonomic autoclavable

40 mm grip weight-forward
Unstoppable design for tattooing

FK Irons’ first modular tattoo

machine, offering the freedom
to choose your power source:
use a traditional RCA cable
or the wireless, Bluetooth-
enabled PowerBolt. Ready
for anything. Simply
unstoppable. Black Ops Stealth
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USER MANUAL
THE GRIP

EXO grip

Autoclavable ergonomic grip design Compatible with most membrane needle

cartridges on the market

THE GRIP
The EXO grip allows artists options will be available soon. anodized grip is safe to be
ratcheting control over needle The grip is crafted from a solid sterilized under steam, in an
depth. The standard grip has a rod of 6061 T6 aircraft-grade autoclave or wiped down with
diameter of 40 mm. Other grip aluminum. This polished and cold sanitation solutions.
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USER MANUAL
THE BODY

EXO body

Ratcheted disk system

EXO body

Friction-stabilizing O-rings

THE BODY
The Body is the core of the
machine. Constructed from a solid
rod of 6061 T6 aircraft-grade
aluminum, this module should only
be sanitized by wiping it with cold
sterilization solutions.
Caution: Avoid getting fluids into
the housing

Body isometric view Body posterior view

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USER MANUAL
THE POWERBOLT

PowerBolt

THE POWERBOLT
LED indicator
LED indicator:
Solid Color = Whole Value Voltage up
Blinking Color = Half Increment
Ex. Solid green indicates 10V 100 - 98%
Power button
Flashing green indicates 10.5V
97 - 60%
Battery level check: Press and hold Voltage down
59 - 40%
power button until white. A blinking
colored light indicates remaining 39 - 15%
charge.
14 - 0%
Note: LED flashes while battery
charges. Once < 15% is reached, red
light will blink alternately with voltage.

Working with modes: Modes work by pressing and releasing the power button.
Bluetooth – Hold the power button until a blue light appears and
immediately release the power button. A blue blinking light indicates
pairing mode is available for 60 seconds. To deactivate Bluetooth, hold
USB-C
the power button and release when the yellow light flashes.

Travel Mode (hard shutoff) – Press and hold the power button until the red
light flashes. Use this mode to avoid unnecessary discharge and/or comply
with travel laws. To reactivate, connect / disconnect to a USB-C port.

Reset (factory settings) – Should you experience abnormal behavior, hold the
power button and the voltage down button at the same time, then quickly release. PowerBolt top/ bottom views

Device reset:

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USER MANUAL
THE RCA MODULE

RCA module

RCA cable plug

RCA motor
contact board

DETACHABLE RCA MODULE

The EXO’s outstanding feature PowerBolt battery pack with the EXO is unstoppable,
is that the power module is a simple quarter-turn action. therefore, you are unstoppable.
detachable. Rapidly switch (instructions on next page)
from the RCA module to the No matter the circumstances,

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USER MANUAL
POWER OPTIONS
Hold firmly and twist the
body as shown.

Twist the RCA module

as shown and remove.

Twist the PowerBolt as

shown and remove.

SWITCHING POWER OPTIONS

To detach your PowerBolt and pull apart. To attach the must be flush to ensure power
or RCA module, ensure you PowerBolt/RCA module, push leads align correctly. Avoid
have a firm grip on the body in while twisting clockwise. contact with the leads on either
and grip. Turn the PowerBolt/ Ensure lock mechanism moves module while recharging
RCA module counterclockwise freely. PowerBolt/RCA module or servicing.

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USER MANUAL
CONNECTING YOUR MACHINE

USB-C connector
Fast charging speed: up to 1.5 A

1 Plug the USB-C cord into

the PowerBolt connector.
Correct connection

HOW TO Insert the provided USB-C

cable into the back of the
while plugged in. The USB-C
connection is intended only

CHARGE PowerBolt and connect to a

Hover or power socket. Make
for charging your PowerBolt.
PowerBolt can be recharged
YOUR sure the cable is properly while not attached to the EXO.

MACHINE seated and is fully inserted

into PowerBolt. The PowerBolt
If connecting to a Hover,
the charge speed will be up
is not designed to operate to 1 A.

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USER MANUAL
ADJUSTING NEEDLE DEPTH

Increases needle depth Decreases needle depth

ADJUSTING
NEEDLE
DEPTH
To adjust needle depth,
hold the machine body and
PowerBolt while turning
the grip. A counterclockwise
turn decreases depth, while a
clockwise turn increases depth
(also known as needle hang).
Each time you turn the grip you
can feel the tactile feedback
of the ratcheting mechanism.
Each “click” displaces your
needle 0.2 mm and allows you
to set your needle precisely
without involuntarily turning
while tattooing.
Turning the grip as shown Turning the grip as shown
increases needle depth. decreases needle depth.

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USER MANUAL
eGIVE WITH RCA MODULE

Currently, controlling eGive via the app is only available by

connecting the RCA cable to the Hover power supply.
You can control eGive on the PowerBolt itself without the app.

eGIVE ADJUSTMENT
With this feature you’ll be able
to control the amount of “give,”
or resistance of the needle
upon impact with the skin, even
on direct drive tattoo machines.
This enables the artist to take
advantage of the softness
or hardness of hit to achieve
specific results. 0 has no effect,
5 offers the maximum amount
of eGive.

SETTING eGIVE
There are 6 settings for eGive,
0 through 5. Change the setting
by swiping the bars up or down.
The higher the setting the
higher the amount of give.
0 = no give, 5 = maximum give.

eGIVE INDICATOR
The number displayed is the
current eGive setting.

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USER MANUAL
eGIVE WITH POWERBOLT

eGIVE ADJUSTMENT WITH POWERBOLT

When using the EXO with the PowerBolt, the eGive will be controlled on the PowerBolt, not the app.
You must update the PowerBolt with the latest Darklab app version to download that feature.

HOW TO CHECK THE CURRENT eGIVE SETTING

• Hold down the power button until the light goes from white to solid blue.
• Release the power button.
• The following blinking color that the LED displays indicates the give that the unit is
currently set at. For example:
- a white blinking light indicates the lowest at 0 (zero)
- a yellow blinking light indicates level 1 eGive
- an orange blinking light indicates a softness of 2 eGive
- a red blinking light indicates a softness of 3 eGive
- a pink blinking light indicates a softness of 4 eGive
- a green blinking light indicates a softness of 5 (softest eGive setting)

CHANGING eGIVE
To raise or lower the give:
- Hold down the power button until the light goes from white to solid blue.
- Release the power button and immediately use the up or down arrows to change the give.
The colors should change accordingly.

White - eGive of 0

Yellow - level 1 eGive

Orange - level 2 eGive

Red - level 3 eGive

Pink - level 4 eGive

Green - level 5 eGive (softest setting)

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USER MANUAL
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

VOLTAGE PARAMETERS
While best voltage is a preference that will vary from artist to artist, this machine has been tested
to operate at a minimum of 5 Volts and a maximum of 12 Volts. Depending on the type of needle
configuration or brand you use, feel free to adjust the voltage to obtain the desired performance.

ACCEPTED NEEDLES
Use only cartridge needles with an internal membrane. This will avoid accidental contamination
inside your machine. Fluids such as ink, water or oil will void warranty of the device and may require
replacement of internal parts.

MAINTENANCE
• The EXO is sold pre-lubricated from the factory and does not require internal lubrication.
• Prevent any type of external elements from entering inside the machine as they will disrupt the
motion of the component and contaminate the lubricant.
• The grip of the machine is autoclavable. Use only steam autoclaves at temperatures no higher
than 270° Fahrenheit or 132.222° Celsius. Add a hint of ointment or PTFE grease around internal
opening of grip or on stabilizing friction O-rings for optimal functionality after autoclaving. Refer
to page 5 for additional information.
• Machine Body and PowerBolt can be sanitized on the outside with cold sterilization products.
• Never spray the surface directly. Prevent fluids from entering the machine. Use no-lint rags or
paper towels.
• DO NOT DISASSEMBLE MACHINE.

WARRANTY
• All the housing components (Grip, Machine Body and PowerBolt) are covered by a
lifetime warranty.
• Internal parts are subject to wear and the motor itself is covered by a 1 year warranty from the
date of purchase.
• Motor warranty is void if motor shows signs of being dropped, of internal fluids entering the
motor and/or IF motor shows signs of being tampered with in any way.

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USER MANUAL
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

HANDY TIPS
The following tips will help you get the most out of your EXO and avoid potential issues:
• Always secure your machine. Dropping the machine can cause damage to the magnets, bearings
and brushes of the motor.
• Use only cartridges with membranes to avoid contamination.
• Rinse your needle frequently to avoid pigment drying up and slowing down your cartridges. When
rinsing your needle, ensure to dip only the tip of the cartridge to avoid back flow of fluids.
• Inspect your needles prior to use.
• Avoid scratching any part of the surface.
• Use only FDA-approved cold sterilization solutions for disinfection.
• Do not lubricate machine unless instructed otherwise.
• Store your machine in a secure place.
• Before first use, charge battery for a minimum of 3 hours.

TROUBLESHOOTING
1. Machine manufacturer
FK Irons: 1771 NW 79th Avenue, Doral, Florida 33126
2. Servicing your machine
Just like any mechanical device subject to wear, FK Irons strongly suggests that you service
your product at least once a year for a proper diagnosis of all working parts. This ensures the
optimal condition of all working parts including internal machine clean up and fresh lubrication.
Routine servicing will ensure that your machine remains functioning like the very first day.
Service is subject to fees.
3. Warning
Disconnect machine from any power source before making any adjustments.

For service inquiries, please contact service@fkirons.com.

For additional tips and tutorials, please visit Youtube.com/fkirons

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