10 Best Laser Engravers & Engraving Machines 2022
Laser engravers are ideal for starting a small business, creating art pieces, making personalized items, creating custom parts and pieces, and DIY stuff. These are quite popular on the market because there is a massive demand for laser engraving products and work/tasks.
If you are thinking about buying a laser engraving machine, it might be difficult for you to decide which one you should choose. There are dozens of laser engraving machines available, so it becomes challenging to pick one.
As a beginner, you might get confused about what to choose and what to ignore. In this article, we will discuss everything you need to know about a laser engraver. Moreover, we have hand-picked some of the best laser cutting and engraving machines to help you shortlist the best of them.
In This Article
- What is a Laser Engraver?
- How Does a Laser Engraving Machine Work?
- What is a Laser Engraver Used For?
- Laser Engraver Types
- 6 Laser Engraver Tech Specs Explained
- Materials that Can/Can't be Laser Engraved
- 8 Factors to Consider Before Buying a Laser Engraver
- Top 10 Laser Engravers
- Conclusion
What is a Laser Engraver?
A laser engraver emits laser beams that are used for engraving different types of materials. It is a machine that has a laser source to produce powerful beams. These beams are capable of engraving the material. It takes out or removes the material from the surface, and there is a cavity or deep mark left on the object that can be felt through touch.
You might have seen wood carving. It is a traditional process of removing the material from the surface of the wood to get the desired design or shape. A chisel or sharp-bladed tool is used to remove wood.
Similarly, a laser engraver removes the material from the surface of the object. The object can be shaped or designed as required. The only difference is the working process and the tool/method used for engraving.
A laser engraver is an advanced technology that uses software for control. The design or image is uploaded through software, and it commands the machine to work accordingly. Due to the usage of laser, computer, and high-quality graphics, the accuracy and precision achieved are unmatchable.
How Does a Laser Engraving Machine Work?
The laser beams are produced by the laser source, which can be a pump diode, CO2 glass tube, etc. These beams are directed using reflectors, and they are finally converged through a convex lens. After passing through the lens, the laser beams are concentrated at a tiny focal point, which is called the laser spot. Now, this laser is ready to engrave the material.
The laser module is the component in which all these things happen. It is located on the machine and moved through the commands of the software. Therefore, the machine is controlled to get the desired engraving result.
When the laser comes in contact with the object, it increases the temperature of the material. The temperature shoots quickly, and it reaches the boiling point of the material. With that being said, the material starts to vaporize. The material is directly converted from solid to gas because of the instant rise in temperature, and this is known as sublimation.
Once the material from the surface is converted into vapors, there is a cavity left, which is called engraving. This is the simple procedure or working of a laser engraving machine.
What is a Laser Engraver Used For?
A laser engraver is used for a wide range of purposes. The most important use of the engraving machine is to make the required design on the objects. It could be a pattern, name, quote, picture, or anything else. It gives a new taste or meaning to the object. For instance, on a piece of wood, you can engrave your photos.
Secondly, laser machines are used for the sole purpose of customization and personalization. You might have seen various customized gifts, such as wallets, tumblers, bags, keychains, lockets, rings, wall hangings, door hangers, etc. All these things are made or engraved using a laser engraving machine. The machine can engrave anything on a compatible material.
Customized products are in great demand. These are used for gifting, and people usually buy them for their loved ones. Moreover, companies and businesses also buy customized gifts and products for their customers, workers, and visitors. Therefore, there is massive business potential.
A laser engraving machine is not only for engraving, but it can also do cutting. The machine can undoubtedly customize various objects, but it can also make products from scratch. Using cutting and engraving, you can make different items, such as jewelry boxes, wall hangings, jewelry, showpieces, and toys.
DIY lovers use laser engravers to make various projects and products. It allows them to express their creativity and turn their imagination into reality. Moreover, artists and professionals also use laser engraving and cutting machines. They cut the desired shape of the material to use in various projects.
Another use of laser engraving is permanent marking. It allows the user to engrave barcodes, numbers, logos, and other things on various materials. It is a necessity for some businesses.
Laser Engraver Types
There are commonly three types of laser engravers on the market: Diode Laser, CO2 Laser, and Fiber Laser.
1) Diode Laser
This is a very common type of laser machine, which is usually preferred for small working spaces, homes, and shops. It is compact, beginner-friendly, and affordable.
The laser source is the pump diode, which emits the laser beams. Then, these beams are converged using a convex lens.
Usually, the wavelength of a diode laser is 450-455nm, which is called Blue Laser. Plus, you can also get the infrared laser of 1064 nm wavelength in some machines. These wavelengths decide which materials the laser can engrave.
A diode laser machine is ideal for new users. They can engrave whatever they want with minimal practice. It is suitable for engraving and cutting.
2) CO2 Laser
A CO2 laser is also another option for those who want to start a small business or use the laser machine in their homes and small shops. It is a bit more expensive than the diode laser machine, but it is still an affordable option.
The laser source in the CO2 laser is the CO2 tube, which contains various gasses, but CO2 is in the highest proportion. When a high potential difference is applied at the electrodes of the tube, laser beams are generated.
This laser is a bit more powerful than diode lasers. Therefore, it engraves material at a better speed. It can also engrave a wider range of materials because of its higher wavelength of about 10,600nm.
CO2 lasers are also suitable for new users. They have various advanced features and safety features that ensure easy operation and safety.
3) Fiber Laser
The last commonly used type of laser is a fiber laser. It uses a fiber optic cable to amplify the laser beams and make them more powerful and highly directed. This laser machine is much more powerful than the other two, and it is also very expensive.
The fiber optic cable is doped with a certain rare earth metal. Depending on the doping of the cable, a fiber laser is made for various purposes. The desired wavelength is achieved by using the right rare earth metal.
Fiber lasers are very expensive, and they are not suitable for new users or beginners. It is used for limited materials, and the size is also larger than CO2 and diode lasers. However, the power of the laser is immense, which is ideal for specific purposes, such as metal engraving, welding, and cleaning.
It is preferred for large-scale businesses where there is a high speed required, and there are many products or orders to recover the cost of the machine.
6 Laser Engraver Tech Specs Explained
Tech specs are the most noteworthy things that the buyer needs to understand. These specs give you an idea of the machine. For every buyer, especially a beginner, it is a must to learn the meaning and background of the specs to choose the right machine. Let's have a look at the important tech specs.
1) Laser Optical Power
The most important tech spec of a laser machine is the laser optical power. It is the optical or output power of the laser module that shows how powerful the laser beams are and what the machine can do. If the laser is 10W, then it is more powerful than a 5W laser. Thus, the 10W laser can engraver at a faster speed and can cut more depth in one pass.
Without looking at the power of the laser, you do get an idea of the machine. The common optical power of diode lasers is 5W to 20W, an infrared laser is 1-2W, a CO2 laser is 30-40W or more, and a fiber laser is more than 20W.
You should not get confused between laser electric power and machine power. The electric power shows the electricity consumption of the laser module, while the electric power shows the electricity consumption of the machine. These powers do not show the power of the laser beams. These are always more than optical power, and some companies also pretend these powers are optical power. So, you need to look at the right power to get the best idea of what the machine can do.
2) Laser Spot
The laser spot of the laser module is the primary thing that tells you whether the laser is suitable for engraving or not.
It is the measurement of the dimensions of the laser post. The smaller the laser spot, the better it is for engraving. It ensures finer details and excellent engraving results. But keep in mind that the measurement of the laser spot increases with the optical power. For engraving, a smaller laser spot is preferred.
A 5W diode laser spot measures nearly 0.06 x 0.06mm. There is a slight increase in the measurement when we increase the power. So, you need to check the measurement of the laser spot while comparing various laser machines.
3) Speed
The speed at which the machine can work gives you a better idea of how much you can do and earn in a day. It is actually the speed of the laser module.
Diode lasers are slower than others, but their speed can be 200mm/s. High-powered diode lasers can work at 400m/s. CO2 lasers come next, and their speed is better than diode lasers. They can engrave at a speed of 300-400mm/s or more, depending on the power. The last one is the fiber laser, which is the fastest, and the speed can be up to several meters per second.
4) Accuracy
Accuracy defines the error in the movement and engraving of the laser module. If the accuracy is 1mm, it means that the movement will be 1mm accurate. There could be an error or 1mm, but not more than that.
Accuracy is a very important aspect of the laser machine. If the machine is not capable of offering high accuracy, you will not get the best results. There could be overlapping between the engraved lines, and you will encounter various other errors.
The accuracy should be as good as possible. Usually, the engraving accuracy should be less than 2mm, and the repeat positioning accuracy should be less than 3mm to get the best results. The lesser, the better it is.
5) Working Area
The working area shows the maximum size of the object that the laser can engrave. If the size is large, you accommodate more objects. Some machines also offer extensions to increase the size of the working area.
Usually, laser engravers have a working area between 250 x 250 mm and 400 x 400 mm.
6) Life Span
Beginners do not know about the lifespan of the laser machine. This is the expected life after which you either need to replace some parts of the machine or the whole machine.
The lifespan of fiber lasers is exceptional. It can be up to 100,000 hours. Then comes the diode lasers that can have a lifespan of up to 50,000 hours. CO2 lasers have the least lifespan of around 10,000-15,000 hours.
It varies from machine to machine, so you should check the expected lifespan of the laser machine in the specs to get the right idea.
Materials that Can/Can't be Laser Engraved
The materials that a laser machine can engrave depend on the type of laser. The blue diode laser emits a wavelength of 450-455nm. It is mostly preferred and used for wood and acrylic, and if it is of very high power, it can also engrave metals.
CO2 lasers can engrave a wider range of non-metals. It can engrave wood, glass, acrylic, leather, cardboard, stone, paper, rubber, food, and fabric. It can also engrave a few metals.
The infrared laser emits 1064nm radiation, which is ideal for metal and plastic engraving. It can also engrave precious metals, such as gold, silver, platinum, titanium, and copper.
Fiber lasers are used for engraving metals and various types of plastics. It is a very high-powered laser that can easily engrave hard materials.
These are the compatible materials for each type of laser. Other than these, the laser machines cannot engrave other materials.
8 Factors to Consider Before Buying a Laser Engraver
To buy the right laser engraver, you need to consider a few important things. These help you compare different engravers and choose the best one among them.
1) Types of the Laser Engraver
The first thing that you need to consider is the type of laser machine. We have discussed three types of laser machines in this article. You need to decide which machine is the right choice for you.
To make the right decision, you need to look at the materials you want to engrave. Then, you will be able to select the best option.
For instance, if you want to engrave wood, you can go for a diode or CO2 laser, but a diode laser is cheaper. For metal engraving, fiber laser is the best, but the affordable option could be an infrared laser that can engrave precious metals.
You need to make up your mind regarding the type of laser engraver you need. Then, it will be easier to select the right machine. For beginners and experts, a diode laser is the first option, and if they want to target more materials, CO2 lasers are the right choice.
2) Laser Module Specs
The specifications of laser modules must be checked while comparing the machines. The first thing that you need to check is the laser optical power. We have already discussed what it is.
Secondly, you need to check the measurement of the laser sport. It gives you a better idea of the details that the machine can consider.
You can also check the wavelength of the laser beam and the routing speed of the machine.
3) Accuracy
Check the movement and repeat positioning accuracy. These are very crucial when it comes to engraving. The accuracy should be as good as possible. For some lasers, the movement accuracy is less than 1mm, and the repeat position accuracy is less than 2mm.
4) Focus and Positioning
The laser is focused on the object to get quick and excellent results. There is a special method of focus in machines. You can check that method; it should be easy enough for beginners and not waste much time.
The second thing is the positioning of the laser module. Sometimes, the engraving starts from the wrong place; it is either skewed or missing. There can be various other issues. It is because of the wrong positioning of the object under the laser machine. Some machines also have a built-in camera to assist with positioning.
In various machines, there are limit switches. These ensure the correct positioning of the object. If the laser module is about to touch the end of the machine, it indicates the issue through an alarm.
5) Software
You also need to pay attention to the software. Laser machines work on specific software that controls the movement and working of the laser module. The software should be easy enough for the users and offer the best results without any issues.
Some laser machines use a third-party software, such as LaserGRBL and LightBurn. In such cases, there is mostly a compatibility issue. But some machines also have dedicated software. It is perfectly developed to offer the best results.
Check the software that the machine uses before buying it.
6) Accessories and Attachments
Laser machines require various accessories and attachments to do various tasks. For instance, there is a need for rotary attachments to rotate cylindrical objects 360 degrees during engraving. You also need an air assist to get better results.
The accessories and attachments give you an edge to make your products better. If these are not available with the machine, then there will be various issues.
There are various accessories and attachments, such as an exhaust system, honeycomb panel, enclosure, and extension. Make sure to see whether these are available or not, and it is better to buy the necessary items along with the machine.
7) Working Area and Height
Check the working area and height of the machine. These dimensions give you an idea of the size of the object that you can engrave. Sometimes, beginners buy various laser machines, and after delivery, they get to know that the working area or height is very small for their needs. Therefore, it is better to check it in the first place.
Moreover, to work on various objects and use attachments, you need to increase the height. Some machines offer height adjustment knobs, legs, or other things that you need to check.
8) Safety Features
Safety features are very important, but people usually ignore them while looking at the specifications of the machine. The powerful laser can start a fire and harm people if it is tipped over. Therefore, there must be some safety features like fire detection, tip-over safety, and emergency stop.
Top 10 Laser Engravers
1) xTool D1 Pro
The first laser engraving and cutting machine on our list is xTool D1 pro, the best alternative to Glowforge. It is in first place because it has received the Red Dot Design 2022 Award. The outstanding design and state-of-the-art technology set this machine apart from other machines on the market.
xTool D1 pro is a high-accuracy DIY diode laser engraving machine. It is perfect for DIY enthusiasts, small laser businesses, artists, hobbyists, and professionals. Beginners can effortlessly use this machine and start their laser engraving journey. It is quite simple to operate and has specialized software to make everything easier for beginners.
The machine has commendable precision because of the ultra-fine laser spot measuring 0.08 x 0.08mm. It covers even the tiny details on the graphics and does vector and raster engraving with ultimate precision. The repeat position accuracy of the machine is 0.02, making it ideal for vector graphics.
There are many add-ons and accessories available to upgrade the machine. First of all, it has the world's most powerful diode laser module that can be attached to the machine. Secondly, with the help of the world's first 4-in-1 rotary attachment, the machine can work in 99% of cylindrical engraving scenarios.
Features:
- The machine has an industrial-grade structural design that makes it durable and stable.
- The wheel and shaft are made of steel to support 100,000+ times of sliding and increase the life of the machine three times.
- Due to the innovative dual laser technology, the laser is more powerful than a similar machine of the same optical power.
- The focus of the laser can be easily adjusted using the focus lever. It hardly takes a few seconds
- The engraving area is 432 x 406 mm, which is large enough for most of the engraving and cutting projects.
- It can also work in offline mode using a TF card.
- It works on Laserbox Basic and Light burn, and it supports a wide range of formats, including SVG, PNG, JPEG, BMP, DXF, and NC.