Snapmaker 2.0 Modular 3-in-1 Review: 3D printer, Laser Cutter and CNC
When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here’s how it works.
This jack-of-all-trades device is more than just a 3D printer.
(Image: © Tom’s Hardware)
Tom’s Hardware Verdict
Snapmaker 2.0 A350T is a beautifully engineered all-in-one 3D printer, laser and CNC machine that takes a bit of time, and a good bit of money, to use.
Pros
- +
3-in-1 machine
- +
Well engineered
- +
Quality prints
- +
Auto bed leveling
- +
Direct drive
- +
Touch Screen
Why you can trust Tom’s Hardware
Our expert reviewers spend hours testing and comparing products and services so you can choose the best for you. Find out more about how we test.
Snapmaker 2.0 is a 3-in-1 modular machine with swappable parts to make it a 3D printer, laser and CNC machine. It’s an impressive feat of engineering, with an equally impressive price. It’s great for makers who want to make everything – but lack the space for three machines.
We tested the Snapmaker 2.0 A350T, which retails at $1599 and has a large 320 x 350 x 330 build volume. You get what you pay for – the Snapmaker 2.0 is a deluxe printer/laser/CNC made almost entirely from metal with gorgeous presentation. Our unit also came with an optional enclosure complete with folding laser safe panels, ventilation and lighting. This adds $599 to the overall price tag, but makes for a safer work environment.
Snapmaker 2.0 has a few flaws. All three modes are slow compared to dedicated machines, the software has an inaccurate preview screen and the method for swapping work surfaces is tedious. It’s not quite ready for the Best 3D Printers of 2022 list, but if you’re interested in a 3-in-1 machine, it’s definitely worth a look.
(Image credit: Tom’s Hardware)
Specifications: Snapmaker 2.
0 A350T
Swipe to scroll horizontally
Machine Footprint | 508 x 482.6 x 533.4 mm (20 x 19 x 21 inches) |
Build Volume | 320 x 350 x 330 mm (12.6 x 13.7x 13 inches) |
Material | PLA/PETG/TPU/ABS |
Extruder Type | Direct Drive |
Nozzle | .4mm (Interchangeable) |
Build Platform | PC coated flex sheet, heated |
Filament Runout Sensor | Yes |
Bed Leveling | Automatic |
Laser | 1.6 watts |
CNC | ER11 collet |
Connectivity | USB stick, Wi-Fi |
Interface | Color Touch Screen |
Snapmaker 2.
0 A350T: Included in the box
(Image credit: Tom’s Hardware)
Unboxing the Snapmaker 2.0 A350T is an experience in its own right. Inside the shipping box you’ll find dozens of beautifully labeled smaller boxes. Right away, you know you’re unboxing a deluxe machine.
The Snapmaker 2.0 comes with everything you need to get your printer set up. You get a tool box full of tools to build and maintain the printer, side cutters, a deluxe screwdriver with swappable heads, a metal scraper, a spare hotend and a USB stick. You also get a 1kg spool of Snapmaker filament, standard safety glasses for woodworking, laser safety glasses, a piece of acrylic, two pieces of light plywood and a cloth for cleaning the laser.
(Image credit: Tom’s Hardware)
Snapmaker includes a magazine-sized, full color instruction manual to get you started. Video instructions and custom slicing software, Snapmaker Luban, require a visit to the Snapmaker website for a free download.
(Image credit: Tom’s Hardware)
The Snapmaker 2. 0 A350T has an impressive design unlike any hobby grade 3D printer we’ve seen. It is completely made from aluminum alloys and every moving part is fully enclosed to keep it free from dust kicked up by the CNC module. This will probably make maintenance a bit of a chore, however during our testing it didn’t require any tuning.
The machine sits on a heavy baseplate, with a separate, unattached power module. This allows the power to stay cool outside the optional enclosure should you have it. The touch screen is a small Android tablet on a cord, with a magnet that allows it to snap onto a holder at the front of the machine.
It has both a dual Z axis and a dual Y axis. There are no belts on this machine and each “linear module” conceals a stepper motor and heavily greased screw.
(Image credit: Tom’s Hardware)
Each of the three tool heads mounts on the X gantry with four screws. The 3D printer head is a compact direct drive capable of reaching 275°C. The laser is a low-power, 1. 6-watt diode, which is best used for etching, but can also cut through extremely thin wood. The CNC module has an ER11 collet that will fit standard 3rd party bits, with a spindle speed of 6000-12,000 RPM. It can cut wood, acrylic and softer stones.
The three work surfaces are a bit over engineered, and a point of frustration. The Snapmaker’s multipurpose base is an aluminum grate. Each mode has its own specifically-designed build plate, which has to be screwed into the grate with as many as 22 screws. Swapping plates requires 15-20 minutes, especially with the supplied hand tools.
The optional enclosure has five laser safe acrylic sides and an open bottom. The front and right side have sliding panels to allow access to the machine. The spool holder mounts to the back outside corner and there’s a cutout in the front door for the touchpad. The enclosure comes with LED lights and a ventilation fan that plug into the Snapmaker’s control strip and are operated from the touchpad. The enclosure gets a bit gross looking after a long CNC session, but that just shows it’s doing its job.
Clockspring’s Illusionist Vase (Image credit: Tom’s Hardware)
Snapmaker 2.0 has built in Wi-Fi for sending gcode files, but can also use a USB memory stick.
Assembling the Snapmaker 2.0 A350T
The Snapmaker 2.0 is a DIY kit that takes about an hour and a half to build. Even experienced makers will need to consult the directions because the Snapmaker is unlike any other 3D printer. It’s not that it’s hard to put together – it’s actually rather easy – but there are an insane number of parts, screws and little boxes.
First, we have to pause a moment and admire the toolkit Snapmaker includes with this printer. This is no bag of loose hex keys, but an actual box to store all your tools, bits and extra screws.
(Image credit: Tom’s Hardware)
You won’t need to watch a video to assemble this machine, because the “quick start guide” is actually a full color 93-page book with illustrations.
(Image credit: Tom’s Hardware)
Putting it together is much like working with a giant erector set, with every part mounted to the frame by several screws.
Because the Snapmaker is built to be completely dustproof, all the electrical components have plugs that feel more like they belong on a home appliance than a science fair kit. Cables are pre attached to their modules, and you’ll need to thread them through the machine to connect to a control strip mounted to the right side Z axis.
(Image credit: Tom’s Hardware)
Each tool head has a similar case and is mounted onto X gantry with four screws, then plugged into the control strip.
(Image credit: Tom’s Hardware)
There are three build plates specifically designed for their function. It takes 22 screws to hold on the printing plate, and 14 to hold both the laser and CNC work surfaces in place.
(Image credit: Tom’s Hardware)
Preparing Files / Software for Snapmaker 2.0 A350T
(Image credit: Tom’s Hardware)
Snapmaker has partnered with Luban to create “Snapmaker Luban” which can slice models for all three functions. The software is beginner friendly, with lots of presets aimed at producing high-quality prints, laser engraving and CNC pieces.
You can use Cura instead of Luban for 3D printing – Snapmaker profiles are included with Cura 5.0 and up – but you will lose access to the Wi-Fi abilities. I found no adequate replacements for prepping laser or CNC gcode, so I recommend you stick with the provided software for this machine.
(Image credit: Tom’s Hardware)
3D Printing Mode on the Snapmaker 2.0 A350T
To 3D print, you’ll need to install the 3D printing direct drive tool head, the heated bed and its magnetic flexible build plate. The build plate is quite stiff, two-sided, and coated in a BuildTak type PC surface that releases prints easily when flexed.
The Snapmaker 2.0 can use a wide range of filament beyond ordinary PLA. It also handles PETG, ABS and TPU quite well. Check out our guide of the Best Filaments for 3D Printing for examples of our favorite materials.
Leveling the Snapmaker 2.
0 A350T
(Image credit: Tom’s Hardware)
The Snapmaker 2.0 will need to be leveled for 3D printing each time you install the 3D printing tool head. The machine can detect which tool head you have installed, and will prompt you to run the appropriate calibrations as needed.
For 3D printing, the Snapmaker 2.0 uses a magnetic probe for leveling. The bed is hard mounted, with no ability to make manual adjustments. Pressing the Calibration button on the touchpad’s home screen will start the process. After it moves through 9 points, it will ask you to set the Z offset with a sheet of paper.
The Snapmaker 2.0 defaults to leveling with a cold bed. If you prefer to level the machine while hot, you can change the default in the settings menu.
Loading Filament on the Snapmaker 2.0 A350T
(Image credit: Tom’s Hardware)
Loading filament in the Snapmaker 2.0 is exceptionally easy. Click Control → Change Filament and the tablet will prompt you to raise the nozzle temperature. Place the filament into the hole at the top of the printing module and click load.
(Image credit: Tom’s Hardware)
To unload material, just reverse the process.
Printing on the Snapmaker 2.0 A350T
Print speed for Snapmaker 2.0 has been throttled by its software. Whether it’s to compensate for the screw driven Y and X axis, or the smallish cooling fan, we’re unsure. We’ve run it faster than suggested, and the results were perfectly fine, but for these test prints we decided to keep the settings at the manufacture’s suggested speeds.
It’s easier to see the limits placed on the Snapmaker when you view its official profile inside Cura. No matter what speed you enter for overall “print speed” the machine will default to 20mm/s on the outer wall, 25 mm/s on the inner wall, infill at 60mm/s and travel speeds of 80 mm/s. I noticed that it keeps this speed no matter what material profile you use – PLA, PETG, TPU and ABS are all run at the same slow and steady rate.
(Image credit: Tom’s Hardware)
By comparison, my Ender 3 S1 Pro produces quality PLA prints at 65mm/s, with a general wall speed of 32.5 mm/s, infill at 65 mm/s and travel at 175 mm/s.
I tested PLA with McGybeer’s classic Cute Mini Octopus, blown up to 250% with Inland White PLA. This was using Snapmaker Luban’s “fast print” default setting, which has a layer height of .24 and took 23 hours and 35 minutes to print. The print quality is respectable, but using layers this thick does leave visible layer lines and stair stepping on the rounded top surfaces.
McGybeer’s Cute Mini Octopus (Image credit: Tom’s Hardware)
I tested vase mode with Clockspring’s Illusionist Vase at 200% in Keene Village Deep Translucent Blue PLA. I kept with the Fast Print settings and this jewel like vase printed perfectly in 16 hours and 17 minutes.
Clockspring’s Illusionist Vase (Image credit: Tom’s Hardware)
The Snapmaker 2.0 handled TPU exceptionally well, and printed the Thwack Hammer by Low 351 in Matterhacker’s Translucent Purple TPU with very little stringing using the Fast Print default settings. The hammer prints upright, with the head on the baseplate and the handle at a 90degree angle to the bed. The print took about 17 hours and 54 minutes.
Low 351’s Thwack Hamme (Image credit: Tom’s Hardware)
The Snapmaker 2.0 had no problem with PETG, as you can see from this nearly flawless Flexi Factory Cute Dolphin. The translucent IC3D R-PETG Blue Razz doesn’t do it justice as the infill peeks through in a weird way. This is printed in “Normal” settings, with a .16 layer height. This took 7 hours and 3 minutes.
Flexi Factory’s Cute Dolphin (Image credit: Tom’s Hardware)
Since the Snapmaker 2.0 was parked in an enclosure, I tested a roll of Inland ABS on the Flexi Factory Cute Dolphin. This printed without any lifting, which is surprising since the bed only gets to 80 degrees, the lowest temperature Inland ABS can handle. Taller models – I originally tried the Thwack hammer in ABS – were unable to stick and fell over halfway through. I switched to “Normal” default settings, which uses a .16 layer height and slightly slower speeds. This took 7 hours and 3 minutes.
Flexi Factory’s Cute Dolphin (Image credit: Tom’s Hardware)
Laser Engraving and Cutting on the Snapmaker 2.0 A350T
(Image credit: Tom’s Hardware)
To use the Laser tool head, you’ll need to install the provided aluminum grid build surface, which comes with silicone grippy tabs for holding down material. You can also use binder clips or tape. The Snapmaker 2.0 A350T laser is 1.6 watts, however a more powerful 10 watt laser can be purchased as an accessory for an additional $498.
The laser tool head has an opaque shield to minimize laser exposure, but you will still need to operate the laser while using laser safety glasses – one pair is provided – or while it’s inside the optional enclosure.
The tool head also comes with a camera to assist in focusing and placing your engraving/cutting design where you want it on the material.
You’ll need to focus the laser each time you install the laser tool head. To do this, place a piece of scrap wood in the center of the work surface. Then move the laser until its black shade slightly touches the surface and set the origin point. The machine will burn several lines into the wood and ask you to pick the best line.
Next, you’ll calibrate the camera with a piece of blank paper that is at least 150 x 150 mm. The machine will lightly engrave a square onto the paper. It will take a photo of this square to help with placing materials for the laser.
The camera aided placement sounds easy, but the quick start directions skipped over how to properly set the origin point for the laser. It took a bit of trial and error to get the origin set correctly, but after that the laser performed quite well.
The Snapmaker 2.0 laser is only 1.6 watt, which is very low power compared to other diode lasers on the market. However, it was able to very slowly slice through 1. 5mm light plywood and this thin balsa, which I tested with a part from an RC airplane kit. It took about an hour each to cut out these wings.
(Image credit: Tom’s Hardware)
Photo engraving was excellent, especially when I used an old black and white photo – like the WWII pilots on the top. The family photo below was originally in color and could use a little tweaking. These were engraved into MDF. These 4.5 x 3.25 inch images each took about 4 hours to engrave.
(Image credit: Tom’s Hardware)
CNC on the Snapmaker 2.0 A350T
The CNC module was something I haven’t used before, so I stuck with a few simple tests. Unlike the Laser and 3d printing tool heads, there’s no need to recalibrate the machine once the parts have been swapped out. Snapmaker Luban has default settings for different kinds of bits you can use to help you get started.
This phone holder is a sample file included with Snapmaker Luban and designed to be cut from a sample of acrylic included with the machine. The CNC moves a bit faster than the laser when it comes to cutting, and this only took 57 minutes to carve out.
(Image credit: Tom’s Hardware)
This simple test was made with Snapmaker Luban and carved into MDF. The words are about 75 mm wide and 2mm deep. It took 6 hours and 11 minutes to carve them out. The process is slow, but the results are clean.
(Image credit: Tom’s Hardware)
If you drop a photo into Snapmaker Luban while in the CNC mode, you’ll get the option to carve a relief. This St. Louis skyline took 30 hours and 26 minutes to carve.
(Image credit: Tom’s Hardware)
(Image credit: Tom’s Hardware)
The Snapmaker 2.0 A350T is for a crafty maker who wants to dabble in 3d printing, laser engraving and CNC – and doesn’t mind paying for a well-engineered piece of machinery. It certainly saves on space, but its laser and CNC are a bit under powered, so I can’t imagine it replacing three machines you already own.
The Snapmaker 2.0 is a quality machine that makes quality pieces, however for full disclosure, I feel I have to let you know about the Snapmaker Artisan – currently on presale. By the time we were offered the 2.0 for testing, Snapmaker was already teasing the Artisan. Before pulling the trigger on a Snapmaker 2.0 you might want to check out the Artisan, which is bigger, faster and has quick release work surfaces. It’s also about $800 more than a Snapmaker 2.0 with an enclosure, but I’d hate for anyone to get buyer’s remorse. We have not been offered an Artisan for review at the time of this writing, so I can only say it looks well worth the wait on stats alone.
If you don’t need a three-in-one machine, we’ve reviewed several excellent printers that might better suit your needs, like the Ender 3 S1 Pro, our pick for best 3D printer. Overall. FYI, Creality makes an optional 1.6 watt laser module for the Ender 3 line that we are currently testing and costs less than $100. If you don’t need a CNC or an enclosure, this could save you a significant amount of money.
MORE: Best 3D Printers
MORE: Best Resin 3D Printers
MORE: Best Filaments for 3D Printing
Denise Bertacchi is a Contributing Writer for Tom’s Hardware US, covering 3D printing.
BROTHER HL-1223WE Mono Laser 🖨️ Printer — Efficient A4…
A really necessary purchase, glad I found this product.
Gabriela Okrent ᠌. ᠌
1 Level
66 Reviews
0 Karma
Some pros:
Out of the box I set up WPS printing from a laptop and phone. USB is not needed. The print quality is good. Took home.
Different cons:
There is no paper included. I need to print 50 sheets, I can’t find a pack of paper at home, and everything is already closed ;(
One of the best deals, glad I bought this.
Janis Kronbergs ᠌. ᠌
1 Level
273 Reviews
0 Karma
Pros below:
The printer completely satisfied me in terms of price / quality ratio
Cons below:
It fell off from WPS, but in my opinion it’s not about it, but in my old router, with the new one I haven’t noticed such a problem yet.
The perfect product for any user!
Danuta Kowalska ᠌. ᠌
1 Level
58 Reviews
0 Karma
Has some pros
Easy to connect (via wifi, not a single wire)
Good and fast printing
Has cons:
The cartridge is expensive and does not last very long, but Chinese counterparts are inexpensive
Sometimes falls off devices without explanation
I really like the product, it fully meets my expectations.
Anastazja Olejnik ᠌. ᠌
1 Level
155 Reviews
0 Karma
Got pros:
Simple functionality. Easy setup and wireless connection via WiFi only. Ability to print from your phone. Inexpensive consumables. Fast on and ready to print.
Its cons:
Haven’t found it yet. The top cover (where the cartridge is installed) creaks a little when fully opened. But maybe it’s like that for everyone. design feature))
I am delighted, the product is really worthy.
Agata Siejwa ᠌. ᠌
1 Level
165 Reviews
0 Karma
I took it home for printing documents, texts, letters. Fully justifies itself. Unfortunately, it cannot print directly from the iPhone / iPad, you need to install the Brother application on your smartphone for printing, but this is a small minus. All settings can be done through the web interface, very convenient. The ater searches for the latest software versions.
Pros
-
Compact. The print speed and quality are very good. According to reviews – the consumption of the cartridge is very economical, you can refill – there is no chip.
WiFi – a new level of freedom from wires – very convenient, put it anywhere you want (only works on a 2.4GHz network).
Cons
-
I had to fiddle a little with the WiFi connection to the iMac, then it worked. Manuals are somewhat confusing on the site + the knowledge base is also organized by Brother on the site is not very convenient. However, this does not apply directly to the device and is relatively easy to defeat by an ordinary user.
One of the best offers, glad I bought it.
Aashit Jain (Rishabh ᠌. ᠌
1 Level
114 Reviews
62 Karma
Colors are not branded. Not bulky – in the delivered form it is not large, it looks like a bread box. The power cord is not very long, about a meter. Not detachable from the printer.
Got pros:
The printer is compact. Perfectly connected via wi-fi via wireless pairing. After disconnecting, it is enough to turn on the network, wi-fi connects itself and is ready to print. convenient for installation. I put it behind a plasma TV – there are about forty centimeters. The plasma is installed on a…
A good quality product, I rate this purchase perfectly.
Agata Konarska ᠌. ᠌
1 Level
173 Reviews
0 Karma
I really liked the ease of connection. My router supports easy pairing – one button on the router, then the wifi button on the printer. After 1 minute, I was already able to send the document for printing via wifi. No tambourines with drivers, I didn’t put them on the computer at all (Windows 8). On an Android phone, printing is available after installing the iPrint&Scan app. No complications, everything is also easy to print from the phone.
Pros
Cons
-
Didn’t reveal.
Matches the description completely, very satisfied.
Virot Rongrot ᠌. ᠌
1 Level
118 Reviews
71 Karma
I think that the equipment of this brand is good, because. there is an MFP of this brand at work and a very large number of people use it, and the equipment does not fail.
Some pros:
Fast printing.
It is very convenient that the printer works via wi-fi: we send files for printing from a phone, from a laptop, from a computer.
Cons below:
For a long time we could not set up the connection of the printer to the computer via wi-fi, it’s good that there was a wire from the old printer, everything…
A very high-quality product, I take it not for the first time.
Ada Szymaniuk ᠌. ᠌
1 Level
182 Reviews
0 Karma
3rd printing device bought home. I can compare with what I used with my wife at home (we don’t take it into account in the office).
The first was a Samsung printer. Bought a long time ago (more than 10 years ago), worked well and served for a long time (still stands with parents). After I bought HP (he served for a year) – both the model and the setting were terrible and there were always problems with it. Cartridges are expensive.
Bought this on advice. The setup is very simple and convenient…
Pros
-
Easy to connect, set up. Reliability, cheap cartridges, both original and analogues (1500 sheets)
Cons
I am satisfied with the product, it is made well, the price is also pleasing.
Ka Sem ᠌. ᠌
Kanchanaburi
1 Level
121 Reviews
145 Karma
Has pros:
I read a lot of reviews, some write that it’s difficult to connect, I did everything quickly from both a laptop and a phone, it prints well, I don’t know how long the cartridge will last!
With its cons.
I print diplomas, in fact, the thickness of the cardboard captures with difficulty, if you don’t catch a printed diploma at the exit of the printer, it rolls up, cools down and remains twisted, you need to catch it with your hands, then the diploma remains even!
I am satisfied with everything, both price and quality, I advise you to buy.
Kirana ᠌. ᠌
From Jakarta, Indonesia
1 Level
143 Reviews
202 Karma
I am satisfied with the printer, these shortcomings do not cause any particular discomfort when using. the printer was taken to use at home and print all sorts of draft documents and materials for myself.
Pros below:
Compact and lightweight model, takes up little space, connection to wi-fi went without any difficulties, so far the ink consumption in the toner is quite economical with normal print quality (after additional settings in the proprietary application menu), support for printing on A5
Overall good, but expected more.
Aashit Shandilya ᠌. ᠌
1 Level
114 Reviews
92 Karma
So far I’m disappointed: I printed several pages, the top one fell down, this sheet was captured by a new one and both went to print with an offset, as a result, both pages were thrown out, I immediately noticed, otherwise it’s not clear what would happen to the rest of the document. Now I don’t understand, to hand over or somehow you can set it up? I will be glad to help you with advice
Pros
-
Small, economical in price and consumption (according to the manufacturer), she just bought it herself.
I connected to WiFi on Mac and iPhone in 1 minute without problems and without wires!
Cons
-
Terrible print quality, terribly upset! Prints worse than a 20-year-old inkjet filled with Chinese ink ((((
Compared with pages printed on Canon with text size 14. When footnotes came across in small text: they are almost impossible to make out, everything is dotted and vague. I checked the settings: toner save is off. Am I doing something wrong, or is the print quality so terrible?
Reviews, news and announcements of new 3D printers, how to choose a 3D printer or start printing
Reviews, news and announcements of new 3D printers, how to choose a 3D printer or start printing
All reviews
Anycubic
Creality
Phrozen
CreatBot
Flash Forge
Elegoo
Reviews
Voxelab
Peopoly
QIDI
Tevo
01/31/2022
Review: 5 Entry-Level Photoresin MSLA Printers Affordable
Have you been looking for an inexpensive resin printer to get into 3D printing? And we. ..
01/29/2022
Anycubic
Anycubic Vyper Test & Review: An Impressive Affordable 3D Printer
Announced in 2020, during Anycubic’s fifth anniversary celebration,…
01/21/2022
Creality
Creality Ender 3 S1 Review The updated Ender 3 3D printer
The Creality Ender 3 has been extensively redesigned with modern features….
12/13/2021
Creality
Anycubic
Voxelab
5 Inexpensive 3D printers for beginners
Thinking about buying an inexpensive 3D printer for beginners? We will introduce you…
11/22/2021
CreatBot
CreatBot D600 Pro Review: A big 3D printer for little money
The CreatBot D600 Pro is a professional, large-scale 3D printer with…
27.10.2021
Ortur Laser Master 2 overview: large low power laser
Ortur Laser Master 2 is a simple and affordable laser engraver…
10/22/2021
Reviews
FlashForge
FlashForge Adventurer 4 review: premium 3D printing at the price of an amateur printer
We started admiring the Adventurer 4 at the unpacking stage, when. ..
10/01/2021
CreatBot
CreatBot F1000 Review: A High-Performance, Affordable Industrial 3D Printer
CreatBot F1000 is an industrial-size 3D printer with auto-elevating double…
07/23/2021
Creality
Creality Halot-One overview, description and specifications
07/23/2021
Anycubic
Anycubic Vyper Review: Features and Specs
We’ve been waiting. On its 5th anniversary in 2020, Anycubic…
1
2
3
…
6
Request a call back
Telephone
By clicking on the button, you agree to the privacy policy of
Item added to cart
Go to cart
Product added to comparison
Compare products
Cannot compare more than 4 products
Invoice or quotation request
Organization name:
Your e-mail
Your phone
Name of contact person:
Legal address:
Comment:
By clicking on the button, you agree to the privacy policy of
On the way, find out when the delivery is
We will answer by E-mail or Whatsapp
Your name:
Your e-mail
Your phone
By clicking on the button, you agree to the privacy policy
Contact us
How to call
By phone +7(495)155-45-19. Your call will be answered by an answering machine. We won’t call back if you don’t speak up. Each request is processed, we contact clients in accordance with requests. Prepare the information you want to report, send it to the answering machine and we will call you back. We kindly request: do not be silent and do not hang up, this is just an answering machine. 🙂 Other most effective ways to get in touch:
- Write to Telegam @techno3dru
- Write to Whatsapp +74951554519
- Write Email [email protected]
Available?
On the product page, under the product name, there are 3 statuses:
- In stock – In stock. Make a purchase with the Buy button.
- Pre-order – On the way, shipping soon. Find out about delivery times by clicking on ‘Delivery times’ or make a purchase using the Buy button.
- Made to order – Delivered according to your order with a partial prepayment. Place an order using the Order button.
How to get an invoice for legal entities
Add items to your cart, proceed to checkout. Payment method: Organization → Specify details → Get an invoice for payment
How to get a quotation
On the product page, click on the link Request a quote
How much is delivery
On the product page, block Delivery. With an accurate calculation of the cost and timing to your city. On the Delivery and payment page for more details about all delivery methods.
If you did not find your question among the questions, please contact us via
Whatsapp or Telegam
Inquiry
Contact person (full name):
Contact phone:
Email:
Comment:
How to turn your 3D printer into a laser engraver/cutter
3DPrintStory
  
Reviews
  
How to turn your 3D printer into a laser engraver/cutter
If you want to create something more than just 3D printed parts, or just expand the range of materials you work with, laser cutting and engraving is a great choice. It allows you to work with other materials and does not require special experience.
But perhaps the best part is that this technology can be easily used by upgrading your 3D printer. The motion system of 3D printers far exceeds the requirements for laser cutting, and laser diode modules can be as small as hot end nodes.
Converting a 3D printer into a laser cutter and engraver is a pretty big deal. In this article, we’ll talk about laser technology in general, and then we’ll discuss the main steps involved in converting your 3D printer.
What is laser cutting and engraving?
Laser cutting is a process in which a laser beam selectively removes material along a specific path by vaporizing it. Engraving is basically the same, but instead of removing material, it marks the surface, changing its appearance through oxidation.
Two laser technologies are mainly used for the manufacture of desktop machines: CO2 and diode. CO2 lasers are powerful enough to cut most materials, including some metals, and are widely used in industry.
However, CO2 laser machines are bulky and require rather expensive and fragile equipment such as CO2 tubes, mirrors and lenses. On the other hand, diode lasers are lightweight and relatively cheap, since they consist mainly of one small module.
Diode lasers are much less powerful than CO2 and are best suited for engraving and cutting thin sheets of balsa and plywood. In comparison, a CO2 laser can deliver up to 400W, while diode lasers can only deliver 10W maximum.
Do you need to convert your 3D printer to a laser engraver?
Converting a 3D printer to a CO2 laser machine can be quite a challenge given the size of the tubes and the complex system of mirrors. For this reason, it is much better to use diode lasers.
However, please note that these lasers can only cut certain materials such as paper, cardboard, balsa and plywood with a thickness of 3 to 5 mm. Due to the wavelength of the laser, it cannot cut or engrave transparent materials such as acrylic.
Also be aware of safety requirements when using lasers. Class 4 lasers are dangerous to the eyes, so the use of safety goggles is mandatory. In addition, the products of combustion emitted during the operation of the laser can be harmful to our health, so enclosure and proper ventilation are required.
Take all of this into account before deciding to convert your 3D printer to a laser machine. Given the risks involved, it is especially important to take precautions.
How to turn a 3D printer into a laser cutter/engraver?
The process for converting a 3D printer to a laser machine varies but usually involves the same steps.
First of all, we need to choose the laser module that best suits our requirements (eg functionality and price). Next, we need to figure out how to adapt it to the electronics and physical interface of the 3D printer.
Laser module
Powerful solid state lasers are a relatively recent development, but the market has quickly caught up with demand for diode laser modules.
The laser power is always between 1 and 10 W. Some white label lasers you see online are listed as 30W or even 40W, but that is definitely not optical power output.
Power will determine which materials can be engraved and whether materials such as wood (and how thick) can be cut. Laser manufacturers usually provide a list of materials that can be engraved and cut, so be sure to check it out.
Adjustable focal length, which you sometimes see as an advertised feature, is not very important here, as the 3D printer’s Z axis can raise or lower the module to fit a fixed distance.
The air blower is an interesting feature as it blows air directly onto the surface to disperse particles that interfere with the laser, resulting in cleaner cuts. Some lasers have this feature built in.
Compatibility and connection
Most laser modules can be connected directly to the 3D printer control board. The partial cooling fan on a 3D printer requires an adjustable power output to control its speed, and it is this port that can power and drive the laser.
Some lasers require a special 12V power input. This is usually done through a separate driver board, which can be powered by either the printer’s power supply or an external power supply. This setup also requires a connection to the printer through the fan port.
Refer to the laser manufacturer’s documentation for instructions on correct connection.
Installation
Installation and installation of the laser module is perhaps the only major equipment change in the entire conversion process. Although some lasers come with non-standard brackets, some adaptation will always be required.
Fortunately, you already have a 3D printer, so anything is possible. You may be able to find suitable designs on sites like Thingiverse. Otherwise, it might be time to try some 3D modeling software like Tinkercad or similar. The model doesn’t have to be fancy, just a joint between holes and screws that will be used to hold the hot end.
Once you’ve attached the laser module to your 3D printer, you’re done! However, in order to start engraving or cutting, you may need a new firmware.