A laser engraver is a machine that uses a laser to replicate shapes on various materials. Specifically, a laser heats wood, metal, leather or glass, and under the action of the temperature, the material is hollowed out, obtaining the desired shape point by point. Unlike the 3D printing process, this is a subtractive manufacturing method, combined with additive manufacturing on some machines. In fact, more and more hybrid solutions offer different manufacturing functions - engraving, cutting or milling.
These engravers typically use three types of lasers: gas, fiber, or crystal. The choice of laser depends on the material to be engraved. Fiber lasers, for example, are more powerful and will be more suitable for metals and more corrosion-resistant materials. On the other hand, gas lasers (CO2 in this case) are used more for standard plastics - it is the most prevalent on the market
Laser Engraving Machine
Ortur Laser Master 3, DIY Laser Engraver
Dongguan Ortur Intelligent Technology Co., Ltd. is the Chinese manufacturer and creator of the Otto brand. You may have encountered it in the 3D printing world when the company developed a desktop FDM 3D printer. It's also behind the ORTUR Laser Master 3 laser engraver, which offers a 400 x 430 mm workspace.
The user has to assemble the machine himself with 4 aluminum profiles and two motors that will form the frame of the laser engraver. According to the manufacturer, this should not exceed 20 minutes. 3 laser modules are available depending on the required power - 5W, 10W, 20W. The machine is priced at $599.99 on HTPOW.
xTool D1 Pro Fiber Engraver
Manufacturer xTool has developed a variety of laser engraving machines to meet the different needs of the market. We'll focus on the xTool D1 Pro, a laser engraver that offers a 410 x 400 mm workspace and a 10W laser. Its frame is made of aluminum alloy and acrylic sheet, which is light and durable. The solution is Windows compatible and easy to handle. The manufacturer specifies that it is not for engraving hard materials; it is more suitable for processing plastic, aluminum, wood, acrylic, PVC, PCB.
Sculpfun S10
The Sculpfun S10 laser engraving solution developed by Sculpfun is ideal for any new user in the field. The machine has a positioning accuracy of 0.01 mm and a laser power of 10mW. Compatible with Windows, it can carve wood, leather, plastic and rubber. Laser power and speed can be adjusted as needed, and the machine is supplied in a kit with a one-year warranty.
Fiber Laser Engraving Machine
We'll continue the topic of using the LaserPecker 2 for a portable laser engraver. The machine is a plug-and-play solution compatible with materials such as wood, plastic, leather or cardboard. It measures 65 x 61 x 53 mm and weighs 190 grams, making it very easy to carry. The manufacturer claims the laser has a lifespan of 10,000 hours and 416 days of continuous operation. The L2 Pro has an auto-adjusting stand that can focus in seconds. A built-in sensor measures the distance between the laser and the object being engraved and automatically adjusts the height to ensure the focus is at the correct distance. Finally, users can control and adjust the machine through a dedicated mobile app.
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