Snapmaker 2.0 10W High-Power Laser Module

After loving the first kit so much, we decided to try out the new Snapmaker 2.0 10W High photon module for the Snapmaker 2.0 A250 and A350 variants. We’ve already tested the Snapmaker 2.0 A350 as a 3D printer and as a CNC carver, laser, and rotary connection module in preceding two posts. It wowed us in every way, so it was a no-brainer to try out the newest component for quicker cutting of heavier materials. Researchers put new laser component through a range of tests on wood, acrylic, and metal, and using it with Snapmaker’s rotating attachment module, after testing almost one dozen laser sculptors and cutters, CNC routers, and 3D printer

What Does the 10W High-Power Laser Do?

We were astonished that the basic 1.6W laser could cut thin wood to construct a hardwood storage container when we tested it, and you can see the results in our initial CNC and laser review. The new 10W laser head, on the other hand, ups the ante and achieves new heights, allowing it to print on aluminum and cut through glass and wood raises to 8mm thick.

In fact, here’s the whole list of materials that the Snapmaker 10W laser can cut or engrave:

• Stone
• Bamboo
• Anodized aluminum
• Dark glass
• Stainless steel
• MDF
• Basswood
• Leather and artificial leather | MDF
• Basswood
• Leather and artificial leather
• Stone
• Bamboo
• Anodized aluminum
• Dark glass
• Stainless steel

Testing the Snapmaker 2.0 10W High-Power Laser

You’ll need to upgrade the firmware and Snapmaker Luban to utilize the new 10W laser component with your Snapmaker 2.0. We’ve had our Snapmaker 2.0 for a few months and wanted to update the firmware to accommodate the new laser head. After you’ve connected the 10W laser beam and switched on the machine, you’ll need to calibrate it. If you’ve used the Snapmaker previously, you’ll have plenty of calibration cards on hand, but the laser module includes one for adjusting it to the laser bed, which initiates the second process of identifying the centre of the print bed and determining wall thickness with your laser target metal card. This requires around 5 minutes, after which you may begin cutting.

The first item we tackled was a fun, useful wood cut from the Snapmaker 2.0 10W laser head’s 5mm basswood sheet. We utilized a Luban model to make two helpful measurement instruments: a measuring tape and a mitre square, which required cutting away the outsides and some interior sections, as well as carving the lines for each inch for use measuring. The task took 9 minutes and resulted with 2 perfectly cut wood measuring instruments, which I was very happy with. The cut was clean and quick compared to the old 1.6W laser — at this rate, you might knock off 10-12 of any comparably sized design each hour, which might be quite profitable.

So next project was to engrave a design on a thin, keyring-sized bit of aluminium alloy, which I was most excited to try out with the 10W High-Power Laser head. The entire laser marking procedure took about 45 seconds, and the metal was left with a distinct and contrast line drawing of a wolf, however you can’t feel it if you run your touch over the anodised surface. This more powerful laser’s ability to mark metal so simply and clearly is a significant plus, and I’ll be having a lot of fun painting stainless steel, aluminum, and stone with it in the coming months.

The most recent job I attempted was on acrylic, which may be difficult for some lasers to work with. I decided to try cutting out a little puzzle from the 3mm black acrylic sheet. The task took fifteen seconds to cut roughly 12 sections of acrylics from of the sheet, and it delivered a clean cut, similar to the wood, in that every piece dropped out of the sheet once the job was completed; there were no just about areas. The puzzle looked amazing and might be a fun item to produce for your kids, or a range of products which might sell nicely online, and could be a successful laser project at 15 minutes each run.

Snapmaker 2.0 10W High-Power Laser Review: Is It Good?

Pros

Quicker, more powerful and accurate

Overall, we were delighted with the 10W laser head’s increased power and quickness. The 10W laser can cut thicker and stronger woods up to 8 times faster than the 1.6W conventional laser, which took just under an hour to carve out a box on softer wood. Though it’s not the quickest laser you’d want to start a company’s staff with – for our suggestions, see our best laser cutters for small companies – it’s a significant increase over the original, slicing 1.5mm basswood at up to 6000mm/min.

It carved high-quality, contrasting detailed designs on both flat and rounded material blocks, making it an excellent add-on for hobbyists wishing to engrave original pictures or designs for themselves rather than to test for a company. The Fast-axis Collimating (FAC) lenses compress each of the two laser diode’s laser spots, merging them to provide high power and a considerably narrower laser focus of 0.05mm x 0.2mm, as well as increased energy density. Cleaner cuts, greater details, and a greater laser printer and engraver overall result from this combination of narrower laser focus and more power.

Simple to handle

Whereas 3D printing software such as Cura is quite straightforward and simple to use, light and CNC software, with the exception of popular laser program Lightburn, are regarded to be more sophisticated, with numerous settings that can be intimidating to new enthusiasts. Snapmaker Luban, Snapmaker’s proprietary technology, is simple to use, manages all of the user’s needs in one app (CNC, 4-axis CNC or laser, 3D printing, selective laser and cutting), and does it without making the user’s life difficult. With the 10W laser add-on, even 4-axis lasers embossing became made simple.

Takes up less space

One of the finest features of the Snapmaker 2.0 is that it is a 3-in-1 machine, which eliminates he need to possess three machines to accomplish the same task and cluttering your workplace. Obviously, in order to accomplish this at a reasonable price, you had to compromise laser capability, but now, with the more capable add-on, you can simulate isolated pc laser sculptors within one system.

Easy access

We strongly advise you to use the laser in conjunction with the Snapmaker 2.0 enclosure to filter out fumes and deflect any dangerous light away from your eyes. The great news was if you have all the shell, say for ABS 3d printer to decrease bending, you’re set because it performs all of these functions.

Cons

High cost

The 10W laser is an improvement over the regular 1.6W module, although it still has trouble competing with CO2 lasers. The OMTech K40 40W laser costs only a few hundred dollars extra and has 40W of power for slicing soft materials and better marks etching. Upgrade to a standalone laser for even more significant freestanding laser applications or corporate use.

What does the package of the Snapmaker 2.0 10W Laser include?

• 1 sheet of 2mm anodized aluminum
• 1 sheet of 3mm acrylic
• 1 sheet of 5mm basswood
• A pair of eyewear in order to protecting your eyes against the laser.
• Easy to understand user guide
• Paper calibration card
• Metal laser centering block
• Accessories box containing:
  • 5 cotton buds
  • 1 washer
  • 6 M4 x 8 screws

The compatibility of 10W Laser Module Compatible with my Snapmaker?

All Snapmaker 2.0 A350 and A250 models, as well as the AT and F variants of the Snapmaker 2.0, are suitable with the 10W laser.