Anyone have any experience with this?
Strongly considering adding a xTool F2 Ultra UV to the hobby, but it’s quite costly and I’m unsure if I’d use it enough to justify it.
Any other laser experience also appreciated
Anyone have any experience with this?
Strongly considering adding a xTool F2 Ultra UV to the hobby, but it’s quite costly and I’m unsure if I’d use it enough to justify it.
Any other laser experience also appreciated
I’ve been considering the same as I’d love to be able to engrave labels into my prints, but have held off so far because I’ve heard less than great things about xTool’s serviceability, repairability, and warranty. Not that I’m remotely qualified to do DIY work on high powered laser components, but I’m sure as hell not about to drop several grand on a machine only to have a random part break and be left with a paperweight.
If all you want to do is engrave plastic, look at the the cheap diode lasers. They’ll easily engrave plastic. Make sure you ventilate the area, and be very cautious about the lasers. They will blind you instantly.
Oh that’s perfect! I’d need to do more than a 10 minute skim (since Creality kinda sucks), but something like the Creality Falcon A1C looks like something much more my speed (and budget).
Thank you!
Is there something that laser engraving prints brings that debossing in the slicer won’t do?
I guess both yes and no.
A UV laser can literally print high resolution images to a print. I think it would make great gifts, engraving photos onto thin sheets and printing a nice frame to it.
Otherwise I’d probably use it equally much for metals, glass and wood
Oh yeah I wasn’t thinking about images, just text. May be able to find a decent one on the used market if you aren’t sure you want to fork over a ton of money and are willing to wait and watch.
I’ve been reading for about a week, and landed on xTool probably being the best fit for me, but they sure do come with a price tag for the nicer units.
Creality I just won’t buy ever.
Read this before please https://blazexlaser.com/blogs/news/hazardous-materials-to-avoid-in-laser-engraving-pvc-and-other-toxic-substances-safety-guide
You can absolutely kill your self engraving the wrong material.
Look at the xtool m2, it comes with a air filtration system and also can print onto engravings
Good advice.
I have a full exhaust setup that sucks everything outside, but it’s good to be extra cautious with these things
Even with an exhaust setup, pvc creates chlorine gas which only takes a little breathing in to kill you. Filter plus exhaust
Duly noted.
I’ll stick with PLA/PETG only if I get a laser.
Much obliged!
No worries! Laser engraving is fun, but it doesn’t burn through stuff so much as vaporizes it, most home hobbyist level companies don’t do a good job of warning you of the dangers. PVC = Chlorine Gas and ABS = Cyanide gas are good rules of thumb
I have a two trees tts-55pro, its cheaper, but no enclosure.
I would strongly recommend not relying on the enclosure anyway though, and make sure the glasses are actually capable.
I tested my glasses by putting them between the laser and a sheet of paper, and ran the laser at full power. If the paper is clean, its a good sign. Does mean my glasses have a big burn on the lens in front of my pupil though :D
I start my jobs and get as far away as possible, just to be safe.
Considered this, but the glass and metal part makes UV a better fit for our needs.
Otherwise I’d prefer diode, price and selection wise
You can engrave glass with a laser diode, only catch is that you have to paint it first. I got some $2 washable acrylic paint from a craft shop and it worked great. And easily washed off afterwards.
Not sure if that can be replicated for metal though, but im definitely curious to try now.
That is neat, did not know that.
I know a fiber beats a UV for metal any day, but UV seems to be the best all-rounder for anything engraving. And those k9 crystals look bloody cool too!
Thats before washing the paint off, but the paint removal didnt affect the lasered section. Definitely a fun tool.
Very cool. Thanks for posting a picture of it!
Aye, local retailer or nothing.
As long as it’s in warranty, it’s their problem.
The mark-up is high enough for me to do that with a good concience.