[3-in-1] Snapmaker Artisan Review — Laser Cutting and Engraving Functions

 
Following up on the previous article: Snapmaker Artisan Hands-on Review — 3D Printing Function, this time we will introduce the Artisan's laser engraving and cutting functions. As in the previous article, this review was conducted by All3DP and Tom's Hardware. However, this time, 3DPrinting.com also joined in to test the newly launched Artisan - Premium (40W Laser Module). Let's explain the results below!

Previous Articles
1. 3D Printing
2. Unboxing
3. CNC Mill

 

 

Installing the laser module is straightforward but requires careful attention to detail. The module must be securely attached to the machine's tool head mount, and the work surface must be precisely leveled for optimal results. Calibrating the laser focus is crucial for ensuring clean cuts and accurate engravings. This involves adjusting the module's Z-height to focus the beam on the material's surface. Snapmaker provides calibration guides in the manual, simplifying the process, but it does require patience and precision.

The air assist pump, connected via a flexible hose, directs airflow across the cutting surface to remove debris and reduce burn marks. Connection is also simple, but hose management is critical to avoid interference during operation. The enclosure's ventilation system effectively handles fumes, ensuring a safe and clean working environment.

 

10W Laser Cutting and Engraving Hands-on Review

Snapmaker's 10W laser module for the Artisan combines two 5W laser diodes, offering significant power. It can cut and engrave a wide variety of materials, from walnut to cardboard, including metals like copper, tin, and aluminum. It can also engrave glass, stone, leather, fabric, and dark acrylic; for cutting, it can handle materials like wood, leather, fabric, and paper.
 

To use the laser tool head, you need to snap in the provided aluminum grid build surface, which comes with plastic screws for securing materials. You can also use tape. The Snapmaker Artisan's laser has a power of 10 watts, capable of engraving and cutting thin materials.

The laser mode features some interesting safety functions. After installing the laser module, the Artisan will ask you to close the enclosure door and enter a password. The initial password is printed on the bottom of the controller, but you can change it if you wish. This prevents unauthorized users (possibly children) from operating the laser if the Artisan is installed in a home studio. The tool head also comes with a camera to assist with focusing and positioning the engraving/cutting design on the material. Each time the laser tool head is installed, the laser needs to be calibrated. To do this, place the provided test block on the build plate, and the Artisan will scan it using the camera attached to the tool head.
 

All3DP and Tom's Hardware used the test file provided by Snapmaker – a ruler and squares – and noticed inconsistent spacing between millimeter markings and some scorching. This wasn't a particularly convincing test, but they saw better results in their own laser jobs. Of course, the convenience of setting up the Artisan laser with the included calibration plate is a plus.

The Artisan will triangulate the thickness of the test piece and make adjustments accordingly. The entire process is completely automatic. Next, you need to calibrate the camera with a white piece of paper at least 150 x 150 mm, and the machine will lightly engrave a square on the paper to help position the laser on the material. This model is very fast, taking only 11 minutes to complete.
 

You can also use a multi-purpose base plate to hold the material, and the camera-assisted mode allows you to align the job with relative ease. Although manual adjustment of the camera preview orientation is required, you can quickly get an approximate alignment for your work. Among all modules, the laser machine is the easiest to use and offers the quickest way to improve productivity. You can select materials from a dropdown menu and quickly configure vector-based toolpaths or more time-consuming bitmap-based relief jobs.
 

 

New!! 40W Laser Cutting and Engraving Hands-on Review
 

With the use of layers in Luban software, cutting and engraving can be performed in the same job.
 

The 40-watt laser module is capable of cutting 8mm thick wood in a single pass with smooth edges and minimal charring, which is impressive. When engraving, it produces consistently deep, fine details on various materials. The air assist feature greatly improves cutting quality, especially when working with delicate materials like paper and fabric. However, achieving optimal results requires careful adjustment of speed and power settings based on the material's thickness and type.

3Dprinting.com tried out Luban software and were quite impressed with how simple it was to set up engraving and cutting jobs for various types of wood.
 

 

The difference between the 40W and 10W laser modules is that the 40W can cut 15mm basswood plywood in one pass, and the heat dissipation exhaust fan has also been upgraded!

Next up is the final function — the CNC test. See you in the next article!