3 Best Laser Engravers for Wood in 2023
When you want the best laser engraver for wood, you shouldn't focus on whether the machine is capable of engraving the piece of wood or not. Instead, you need to focus on the quality of the engraving.
For instance, a machine can quickly engrave wood, but it leaves burn marks and discards the details of the image. Would you like to buy it for wood engraving? Absolutely not.
Therefore, selecting the best laser engraver for wood is a bit difficult, but if you know what to look for, you can easily find the best machine.
In This Article
- Can a Laser Engraver Engrave Wood?
- What Makes a Good Wood Laser Engraver?
- How Much Does a Wood Laser Engraving Machine Cost?
- Safety Measures for Laser Engraving Wood
- Best xTool Laser Engravers for Wood
- Recommended Wood Types for Laser Engraving
- Final Words
Can a Laser Engraver Engrave Wood?
Yes, a laser engraver can engrave wood with perfection.
The laser beams emitted from a laser machine are quite powerful, and wood can absorb these beams. It is a preferred option for custom wood cutting and engraving because you get high accuracy and precision.
When the laser beams touch the surface of the wood, the temperature rises quickly. Due to intense power, the material from the surface is removed.
In wood laser engraving, the material from the surface is slightly removed, and you see 3D deep cuts that can also be felt. In cutting, the beams pass through the wood and cut it into pieces.
What Laser is Suited for Wood Engraving
There are various types of laser machines available on the market, such as the CO2 laser, diode laser, fiber laser, and infrared laser. The machines that are made for wood engraving and cutting are the Diode and CO2 lasers.
CO2 laser machines are quite powerful, and they take less time to engrave or cut wood. On the other hand, diode lasers take more time, but a powerful diode laser for 20W can do the job at a fast speed.
The engraving results of these machines are more than exceptional. Their focused laser beams have a very small spot that even considers the tiniest detail. The intricate detailing and finishing are not possible through any other wood engraving and cutting process.
What Makes a Good Wood Laser Engraver?
While buying a laser engraver for wood, certain things and factors should be kept in mind. Some features, characteristics, and functionalities of laser engravers make them perfect for engraving wood.
1) Fewer Burn Marks
Laser engravers throw intensely powerful laser beams that increase the temperature of the surface of the material on which they fall. The temperature rises quickly and vaporizes the materials.
You might like to have a very powerful laser, but in the case of wood, the power should not be too intense as it can leave burn marks on the object. Wood is quite delicate, which is the reason the optical power of the laser machine matters a lot.
Usually, for engraving wood, the power of diode lasers should be 5W-10W, and CO2 lasers should be around 40W; the lesser, the better. It will offer excellent precision and fewer burn marks.
Moreover, to eliminate the burn marks at the bottom of the object, the right laser bed must be used. Honeycomb panel is the ideal bed for wood engraving as it allows the heat to dissipate quickly.
2) Air Assist
Air assist is an essential accessory for wood laser engraving. If you want to see the perfect results, make sure the laser engraver has that. It not only blows the smoke away but also prevents discoloration of the wooden object.
The air assist throws a powerful air blow and takes away the fumes produced while engraving. Secondly, it also blows dust and particles.
3) Working Area and Height
The working area of the laser engraving machine matters a lot because it decides what you can engrave and what you can't.
For DIY tasks and small businesses, the area should be at least 400 x 300mm. If you want a considerable commercial business, then you can buy a larger machine depending on the number and size of the numbers you want to engrave at a time.
Many laser enthusiasts and beginners do not care much about the height of the laser, but it is also an important aspect. You can accommodate more objects if the height is excellent or can be increased. Plus, you can also place the rotary attachments under the laser machine for cylinder engraving if the height is enough.
4) Fine Spot and Minimum Wastage
For engraving, the laser spot should be as small as possible. The smaller the spot, the more details it can consider while engraving. The laser spot should be smaller than 0.1 x 0.1mm. The value is just for your consideration, but you can easily get a smaller laser spot.
When the spot of the laser is minimal, the wastage is also minimal. Secondly, the kerf width is minimal, which ensures easy measurements.
5) High Accuracy
The accuracy of the machine should be excellent. The software directs the laser head and moves it to different positions. The engraving results will be perfect if the accuracy is excellent and there are minimal errors. In some laser engraving machines, the movement accuracy reaches 0.004 inches (0.1mm).
Another important thing is the repeat position accuracy. It ensures minimal error when the laser head moves to the previous position. Some machines have visible errors of repeat position, so you need to take care of this specification as well. The suitable positioning accuracy for fine engraving is 0.007-0.010 inches (0.2-0.3mm).
How Much Does a Wood Laser Engraving Machine Cost?
The cost of a laser machine depends on the type of laser machine, specifications, features, and other factors. However, we can have a rough idea of the cost.
Diode Lasers
The most cost-effective option for wood engraving and cutting is a diode laser. It can engrave and cut any type of wood with perfection. Some diode laser machines are quite powerful, and they can cut up to 10mm of plywood in only one pass.
The cost of a diode laser ranges from $800 to $1,500. This is the cost of the machines, and the accessories, such as the air assist and rotary attachment, are sold separately.
The cost depends mainly on the optical power. Usually, the available laser diode machines are 5W to 20W. The higher the power, the more the cost will be.
For cutting, higher power is preferred. On the other hand, for engraving, you can choose a 5W or 10W laser because lower power offers more details.
Other than wood, you can also engrave acrylic, stone, ceramics, glass, and some other materials using a diode laser machine.
The best thing about diode lasers is that these machines work for a long time. Their lifespan is exceptional and can reach up to 50,000 hours. Thus, you can easily recover your investment.
CO2 Lasers
CO2 laser machines are quite expensive compared to diode lasers. These machines can engrave a wider range of materials, which is a big plus. You can get a suitable CO2 laser machine for $3,500 to $5,000.
The cost of these machines is because of the technology and the features. Most of the machines are equipped with a built-in camera and extraordinary features, and these things increase the overall cost. Secondly, the technology is also expensive.
A CO2 laser machine is faster than a diode laser, and it is capable of engraving and cutting more materials. Although it has a shorter lifespan of 8,000-10,000 hours, it is worth it. It makes wood cutting and engraving as easy as pie.
Safety Measures for Laser Engraving Wood
Before you start engraving, you need to know the safety measures that are necessary for wood engraving. Some of the safety features should be in the machine to prevent accidents.
1) Flame Detection
The first safety feature that wood laser engraving machines should have is flame detection. Due to excessive heat, there are chances of a fire. Therefore, the machine should be capable enough to detect the flame, alert the user, and stop immediately. It is necessary to prevent fires.
2) Tip Over Safety
When the machine is tipped over, the laser beams are directed in a haphazard direction where they can damage the object, harm humans, or start a fire. Thus, a safety feature is necessary to detect the tipping of the machine and stop it immediately.
3) Proper Exhaust and Ventilation System
There are various particles and fumes produced due to laser engraving. Therefore, there should be a proper exhaust system. You might need to purchase it separately for your engraving machine, but it is worth it.
Secondly, if there is no proper exhaust, the ventilation should be optimal to reduce the effect of fumes produced by engraving wood.
4) Never Leave the Machine Unattended
Whether you are running the laser engraving machine at your home, garage, factory, or any other place, you need to be vigilant. Never leave the machine unattended because accidents can happen anytime. You must be ready to deal with them.
Best xTool Laser Engravers for Wood
1) xTool D1 Pro
xTool D1 Pro is a diode laser engraving and cutting machine. It can easily engrave and cut wood with its three types of diode laser modules. It is ideal for DIY lovers, small businesses, and professionals, as it can be upgraded using the latest accessories.
For ultra-fine engraving, the 5W module is the perfect one. The laser spot measures only 0.06 x 0.06mm. It can engrave fine details with optimal accuracy and perfection. It can also cut 3mm basswood in one pass.
The 10W module is suitable for both engraving and cutting. The laser spot is 0.08 x 0.06, which is also excellent for engraving. It can cut a 6mm basswood in one pass.
The world's most powerful diode laser module is xTool's 20W module. It is ideal for cutting at a very high speed. It can cut 10mm basswood in one pass. The laser spot measures 0.08 x 0.10mm that can also engrave objects
The accuracy of xTool D1 Pro is unmatched. It offers a movement accuracy of 0.004 inches (1mm) and a repeat position accuracy of 0.007 inches (0.18mm).
The laser engraving area is 430 x 390 mm, which is more than the size of an A3 paper. Plus, you can use rises to increase the height of the machine. The best part is that the machine is compatible with the world's first 4-in-1 rotary attachment that can work on 90% of cylindrical and spherical objects.
It offers built-in limit switches, easy focus adjustment, and an incredible processing speed of 400 mm/s. Most importantly, it has flame detection and tip-over safety that make it a safe machine for wood engraving.
xTool D1 Pro Diode Laser Engraver
2) xTool M1
xTool M1 is a hybrid laser and blade-cutting machine. It also contains a diode laser to engrave and cut objects. It is ideal for those who want a very simple and safe machine. Teachers, DIYers, and artists can use it without any hassle.
The machine is available in 5W and 10W modules. For laser engraving on wood, 5W is the best as it offers fine engraving with extra details.
The 10W module can also engrave, but not better than the 5W; however, it is better at cutting.
The laser spot of 5W is 0.06 x 0.06 mm, and 10W is 0.08 x 0.08mm. But the main point is that there are fewer burn marks.
The machine is full of extraordinary features. It has a built-in camera to ensure more accurate results. Plus, it can be used for image extraction and auto-focusing. It can extract the image from any object, and then you can use that image for engraving.
The laser engraving area is about 385 x 300mm, which is suitable for most of the tasks. You can also use a roller rotary inside the machine to engrave cylindrical objects with perfection.
The machine also has safety features, such as an automatic stop and a safety lid. It is designed with care, and students can also use it with their parents and teachers.
It also takes care of dust particles and smoke. Moreover, you can also purchase a smoke purifier along with the machine.
xTool M1 Laser Engraver
3) Laserbox Rotary
Laserbox Rotary is a CO2 laser that can engrave and cut a wide range of materials, including wood. The optical power is 40W, which is suitable for engraving wood at high speed.
The machine has got distinct features and functionalities. It has a built-in camera that shows the live preview of the engraving. With it, you can position the laser on the object with perfection.
It can also do image extraction from other objects. Surprisingly, if you draw a design with a black or red pen, the machine automatically recognizes the black for engraving and red for cutting
It comes with a roller rotary attachment that can be used to engrave regular cylindrical objects. There is enough space inside the machine to accommodate objects along with the rotary.
The safety features of the machine are commendable. It has an automatic pause feature when the lid is open. It also alerts in the case of overheating, water cooling, etc. Moreover, there is a smart smoke purifier that adjusts itself automatically according to the smoke produced.
Recommended Wood Types for Laser Engraving
For the best engraving results, you need to select the right wood. Although the machines are capable of engraving different types of wood, you need to select the best one by looking at a few factors.
It does not only depend on the type of wood because the internal characteristics also matter. Therefore, you need to check the resin content, shade, and streaking to ensure you are picking the right wood for your engraving project.
Resin Content: If you want darker engraving, the resin content of the wood should be high. For light engraving, the resin content should be low.
Shade: The shade of the wood should be light so that the engraving can be clearly seen on it. The lighter the shade, the better it is.
Streaking: Streaking is naturally present in the wood. You need to ensure that it is as negligible as possible because it can affect the beauty of the engraved piece.
Some of the recommended wood types for engraving are,
- Basswood
- Cherry wood
- Plywood
- Bamboo wood
- MDF
- Black Walnut
- Cypress wood
- Pinewood Alder
Final Words
For the best engraving results on wood, you need to have the right machine and the right wood. We have discussed both in this article.
You can consider the mentioned factors and safety features while selecting a laser engraver. We have also shared some of the best laser engraving machines that are suitable for wood engraving. The features and specifications are discussed in detail, so you can easily pick a suitable one for your needs.
For the best wood piece for engraving, you can check the resin content, shade, and streaking before you buy.
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