What is the difference between cheap laser engravers using diode-pumped lasers?

Hello! I have access to various Chinese CNC devices that have been purchased on the free Internet. All use laser diode technology. I will compare the devices according to their capabilities and usability.



To get started, watch the video where I tell and at the same time clearly show engravers and a 3D printer. If you do not understand the names that I said, read the text below or in YouTube. All the more worth reading the article, because the text slightly complements the shorthand - I edited it after the videotape.

Video story

Let's start with terms

Engraving is the inscription or drawing on the surface of the material. It is always fast: from 1 minute to a couple of hours. Cutting is cutting material. Since The considered Chinese CNC devices use laser diodes, the power of which does not exceed 5 W yet, cutting plywood or wood means numerous passes, the duration of the entire procedure can take up to a day.

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What results can be achieved with engraving and cutting? Watch a variety of videos in YouTube!



What materials I managed to engrave are paper, cardboard, plywood, wood, film, plastic, acrylic, glass, leather, rubber. Yes, more aluminum, but only by chemical etching.

What programs are most common for working with these engravers?

To get vector images and further gcode, use InkScape, Sketch Up, Repetier host, Cura. For simplicity and speed of work, use programs that work directly with raster images: GRBL controller, AS-3, Benbox. About these programs, see and read reviews. GRBL controller allows you to use the Z axis for 3D engraving, AS-3 is convenient for producing halftones by setting different laser powers, Benbox is convenient with a clear and simple interface.



The method of laser passage is set in the program settings and can be pointwise or along continuous lines. Naturally, with the help of the passage on the lines get the result faster.

Application

Any of these devices you can use at home! Remember: when wearing a laser, always wear glasses! You can see them in the video.

Let's go to the CNC devices themselves.

All devices reviewed by me use stepper motors. To move the laser, either tension belts or metal guides in the form of cylinders are used.

What is the difference between devices?

• surface area. From format A6 to whole sheet A3. It is important how much space will take the device in your home or workshop!
• the presence of an additional degree of freedom (moving along the Z axis). Basically, this can only boast 3D-printers. Or install on the 2D engraver the laser case with the actuator.
• dual use (for example, 3D printing and engraving as “2 in 1”).
• the ability to install a powerful laser more than 2 watts, which will require more than 2 amps. Basically, the basic version is designed for low-power lasers up to 1 watt. And in the configuration, the Chinese usually supplied lasers of 500 mW.
• method of attaching a laser to the device: vertical or horizontal
• connecting to a computer. All use a USB cable. Wanhao additionally uses an SD card.
• differ in price, which increases FROM the smallest in size, costing about $ 100, up to the largest, costing about $ 500.
• differ in the availability of components in Russia. For example, for Mikeblock and Wanhao, it’s easy to find them, because These are well-known suppliers. The rest use Arduino-like cards.