X-Carve - Lasers for X-Carve CNC

Now, the X-carve CNC machine can be equipped with a 6 W laser for engraving and cutting. Opt Lasers offers laser engraver kits, containing all the elements needed to easily mount the laser attachment for CNC router or another CNC machine. It is now possible to laser engrave with the X-Carve machine and the PLH3D-series laser heads for all your projects. Having our PLH3D-6W series of engraving laser heads compatible with these machines opens a world of possibilities for both carving and laser engraving.

We want to change woodworking at the business and home project level and have accomplished that with this laser for X-Carve. The Inventables™' X-Carve® machines are one of the leading CNC's with three axes for makers. These mills have leading precision and resolution, which is only complimented by incorporating our laser heads. It is possible to integrate this X-Carve laser with software such as Easel and grbl. The result is an excellent laser engraving machine.

X-Carve Dust Control System can be used to remove smoke generated by this laser for X-Carve while engraving, making this a perfect fit. However, if the dust control system is not purchased from Inventables, the fan integrated inside the laser head will remove the generated smoke from the laser beam path.

In addition to being compatible with Inventables' X-Carve mills, these laser heads can be used with other three-axis CNC machines such as Shapeoko 2, which uses parts from the X-Carve® machine. Our engravers are compatible with most CNC machines, as they are controlled by a PWM spindle signal, as well as analog and TTL signals. It is possible to power our engravers with a voltage in the range of 12 – 24 V. PLH3D-6W-XF contrasts with CO2 lasers, which would be too bulky, heavy and high-voltage to mount on most CNC mills.

Best Laser Engraver for Woodworking

This engraving laser is an excellent choice for woodworking projects when combined with the Inventables' X-Carve. The wood engraving machine can write and engrave on various types of wood including pine, oak, and other hardwoods. In addition to engraving, the laser head can cut most low-density woods, which include balsa, pine and birch plywood and MDF (medium-density fiberboard). This laser for woodworking can also create three-dimensional profiles on these woods. It is possible to engrave wood with different darkness levels, resolution and depth by adjusting the laser power, working distance, engraving speed and the number of passes. It brings laser engraving for woodworkers to an entirely new level. In addition, the small dimensions of this laser wood engraver make it ideally suited as the home CNC machine.

You can see the X-Carve machine with our laser head in action courtesy of Michael L. Hewitt, who provided us with graphic materials from his works.

Work with the laser on the X-carve machine. Author: Michael L. Hewitt.

Laser engraving with X-carve. Author: Michael L. Hewitt.

Cutting & Engraving Wood with X-Carve CNC Laser 

Cutting and engraving wood using a Laser Upgrade Kits for X-Carve & X-Carve Pro depends on the type of wood, its hardness, as well as other parameters like humidity, or texture. Materials that are easiest to cut with a laser are balsa and aviation plywood. Plywood is made of two layers of slightly harder wood, and a filler - usually balsa. Laser cutting these materials is least problematic, and the process is highly repeatable, since the wood has no knags, and has a foam-like, homogenous structure. When selecting material suitable for laser cutting or engraving, you should check its uniformity. Some variants of balsa are cheaper but may contain splinters of harder wood that are more difficult to cut with a CNC laser. Similar guidelines apply to aviation plywood.

What Accessories are included in the X-Carve Laser Upgrade Kits?

All main accessories (LaserDock, high-pressure booster nozzle) can be found as kit items for X-Carve. 

The most important accessories for your laser engraver and cutter are:

High-Pressure Air Assist Nozzle

The High-Pressure Air Assist Nozzle speeds up laser cutting and engraving by up to 6.5 times, but also greatly improves the quality of the processed material. By using the High-Pressure Air Assist Nozzle, the resulting material will have noticeably higher quality and uniform and well-defined features.

LaserDock Magnetic Docking Station

Thanks to the LaserDock equipped with the laser attachment, you can effortlessly dismantle the laser unit when you are finished engraving or laser cutting. A clean focusing lens ensures consistent optical performance during subsequent laser engraving and cutting jobs. Keeping it clean also extends its lifespan.

On the Inspiration page, you will see the possibilities offered by using the laser for X-Carve. There you will find works made using a blue laser.

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