Ship in 1 Day From USA
More Powerful Laser
ATOMSTACK A5 M40 laser engraver uses the advanced compressed laser spot technology, making the laser beam more concentrated with spot of 0.16*0.19mm, ⅔ smaller than others, more focused high density laser allows you to easily cut 6mm thick wood and acrylic, also engrave on texture smooth stainless steel and ceramic.
360 Degree Eye protection
Protective Shield covering the laser perfectly protect everyone’s eyes around the machine, filtering 97% of UV, save you the goggle money and the inconvenience caused by wearing it.
Solid Structure Easy to Use and Install
All-metal structure make the machine solid and stable which is essential for accurate laser engraving process. The machine can be assembled within 10-20 minutes. More advanced integral screw rods, instead of combined coupling, are used to integrated with the stepping motor, making the laser movement super smooth and precise, and greatly extend the lifespan of the machine.
Upgraded Function and Accessories
Wide Compatibility
ATOMSTACK A5 M40 laser engraver supports most popular laser engraving softwares such as LaserGRBL, LightBurn, runs on Windows XP, 7, 8, 10, and Mac OS, Linux. Supports NC, BMP, JPG, PNG, DXF etc. Various materials can be engraved with including wood, cardboard, bamboo, leather, acrylic, glass, metal, PCB Board, etc.
I ended up with the ATOMSTACK A5 M40 Laser Engraver (I know the ad in Amazon says “ATOMSACK”, but I believe it’s actually ATOMSTACK, with the “T”). This engraver has some excellent reviews in YouTube, and the author of the free and ubiquitous LaserGRBL program highly recommends the various ATOMSTACK models, so that was a good start.
The unit came extremely well-packaged, with a very heavy-duty box and precision cutout foam inserts cradling all the components securely. If there had been any damage to the contents, it certainly would not have been ATOMSTACK’s fault! The components themselves showed a super-high level of quality. Holes were accurately and cleanly drilled and tapped and there were absolutely no issues assembling the unit. The gantry came pre-assembled, so that saved a lot of time. All the pieces fit together squarely and there was no imprecision, wobbling, or misalignment with regards to the finished product whatsoever because of this high quality. The main component: the laser unit itself also positively exudes excellence in engineering and manufacturing. It has a mostly all-metal case, with a plastic shaded viewing window at the bottom front so you can have a general visual idea of how the cutting/engraving operation is going. Although the manufacturer provided this window, they still recommend wearing the included Laser Safety glasses anytime you look at the Laser while in operation. The assembly instructions were clear and easy to follow, and if there is any misunderstanding there are YouTube videos which explain the assembly and should add all the clarity needed. For me the assembly took about 50 minutes, but that’s only because I only loosely followed the instructions and had to go back and disassemble a prior step in order to put in what I missed the first time.
The only thing that the instructions didn’t really go over much was how to actually use the engraver. That is: what speeds and percentages of Laser power to use for different materials were not really covered. But there are SO many instructions regarding this on YouTube and other internet sites that this omission from the manual should not be any problem. You don’t even need usage instructions specific to the ATOMSTACK A5 M40, but any generic semiconductor Laser engraver tutorials will do just fine (just keep in mind that this unit has a 5.5 watt maximum power, so don’t necessarily think that it will do all that a 10-watt unit will do. But it’s not that hard, actually: I was able to successfully make my first engraving in one of the sample pieces of wood included in the package (the tree of life included in the pictures accompanying this review) by just essentially flying by the seat of my pants.
So what kind of materials can you work with? Quite a few, actually. I’ve only used it a couple of hours, but already I was able to fairly deeply engrave the aforementioned tree of life, create a full cutout of a cat silhouette using one of the other wood samples included (this is shown on the video accompanying this review), and engrave a piece of flat primer-painted steel (although I’m frankly not completely sure that it actually etched the steel surface, or just penetrated the primer – more experimentation is needed). I was also amazed that this next experiment actually worked: but I was also able to engrave a message on a small stone. That’s right: I was able to put a fairly decently-deep etch in a ROCK! This is also included in the video, along with an extreme close-up photograph of a portion of the stone. I used 2 passes for this, although one pass definitely left a mark. I think that with another pass or two the engraving could have been even deeper. Please note that the actual cutting sequences in the video are time-lapse recordings. The actual times of cutting/engraving range from about 35 seconds to about 9 minutes for the rock-etching (approximately 4.5 minutes per pass).
I’m using LaserGRBL for the software, as it is quite capable and FREE. Maybe at some point I’ll purchase LightBurn for the richer feature set, but for now I’m happy. It’s noteworthy that LaserGRBL contains a chart regarding what this particular model of Laser engraver can engrave and/or cut, including thicknesses of material cut obtainable for commonly used materials, what speeds and power levels to use, and even the number of passes needed to achieve the desired results on “tougher” materials. This definitely can help get started. Too bad I didn't notice it until I already tried out a couple of cuts.
Do I have any negatives to report with respect to this printer? Actually, no. I absolutely LOVE this thing! I love that it has an upgraded Laser module with a tiny cutting point, as this allows for great precision. There are higher-power laser modules you can purchase for this model if you want to as your skill and experience grows, as well as a very cool device that automatically rotates cylindrical materials (such as drinking glasses, mugs, and even items as small as a pencil) for proper engraving. I’d sure consider getting that in the future. For now I am very, very happy with the ATOMSTACK A5 M40 Laser Engraver, and I very highly recommend it!
Again, good laser engraver but there are limitations here. For the price point and for how large a community there is out there, this is a no brainer at this price point.
The software is decent, but it definitely requires some time to navigate through. I tried BOTH LightBurn on the MacBook M1 and it worked fine without issue. However, there are some settings you will need to tinker around (see screenshots). On Windows 10, I used LaserGRBL, and it also works fine. I found this 40W CNC laser to be quite powerful compared to the lower wattage lasers I've used in the past. It'll easily burn up wood pieces so adjust settings accordingly.
In addition, I highly recommend those using CNC laser engravers have some sort of filtration. I am currently using two air purifiers to keep the air quality down to the thousandth place. The included safety goggles are a huge plus! Will be getting myself an extra pair when working with others, too.
There is also somewhat of a learning curve to this, but if you take the time and watch tutorials, you'll get it. Definitely worth getting especially if you are into STEAM. Although it was simple, I just finished an engraving on a wood piece. Next up, metal cards!
I am quite satisfied with the performance of this laser engraver. It does a good job of cutting the thin pieces of balsa wood that I like to work with. It also does quite well with engraving intricate designs on wood, paper, and black acrylic. I use LaserGRBL a lot. This laser was designed to work well with LaserGRBL, so there were no issues with connectivity. I have put together several of these kits before, so I am familiar with the setup process. It took me less than 30 minutes to put this one together. Overall, this is a good choice for a home laser engraver.
On wood you can get a lot of different shades of burn color.
On stainless steel you can clearl...More
On wood you can get a lot of different shades of burn color.
On stainless steel you can clearly see the print design.
Other than the good laser, the stand itself is has some weight and is sturdy. So, it doesn't wobble when designing. I am very impressed and like how user friendly this is. As a teacher, I will be taking this into a classroom for students to use. They will love it for art class.
Trust you found this review honest and helpful:-)
My favorite thing about this laser is the large size. With an engraving area around 16”x15.75” it’s large enough for all of my projects. My last laser had a fairly restrictive space just under a square foot, so the added space with this laser makes for a much more user-friendly experience, especially for those that want to work with large items like plaques, engraved photos, or multiple items at the same time.
The thing I don’t love about this laser is that it’s not the absolute best option for cutting. While you can cut with it, it takes really playing around with the settings to figure out how. If you’re looking for a laser for mostly engraving, this is great. If you’re looking for an option primarily for cutting, I would look at either a higher-powered diode laser or a CO2 option.
The most important thing to know about this, or any laser, is that there is a steep learning curve. You need to be willing to set aside some serious time for experimenting and getting to know your equipment. This laser is compatible with both LaserGRBL and LightBurn. As someone who has used both software options, I would highly recommend considering upgrading to LightBurn. While there is a cost associated with it (currently $60) it really is a much more advanced software that makes using your laser far more enjoyable than fighting with LaserGRBL. With that said, you can still do a lot without paying for software, but you may find yourself feeling restricted sooner.
Overall, I would recommend this laser to anyone looking for a large engraver at a fairly reasonable price.
It came with everything shown except the little on/off switch. I looked everywhere for it and nothing. I was pretty bummed about that…Setup was really easy. Took me about 30mins or so. The manual is easy to read and follow the assembly instructions.
I didn’t have any other wood to test this out but a 12” wood round I had from making door hangers. Lol So I used one of those to do some tests on it.
Installing the software was simple and quick but then trying to connect the laser to the computer for some reason I had some issues with that but eventually got it to work. I had to install the driver like 3 times before it finally worked. (This was on a Windows PC, I tried installing on my MacBook but kept getting a server error) I only downloaded the Laser Grbl at first then later realized I could download the 30 day trial of the Light Burn. (I have yet to mess with the Light Burn) The Laser Grbl software is kinda of confusing for me. Again, all this is still new to me so I still have to learn it. The Light Burn (from what I saw when downloaded) looks like it’s going to be a lot easier to work with. This software (Light Burn) is not free and will need to purchase it after the 30 day trial.
The laser itself is actually not that loud. (In my video it sounds louder than what it actually is) the test runs I did came out pretty nice. You will need to have this setup in a well ventilated area. The smell of the wood I have was very strong. There is also smoke so again just make sure there’s plenty of ventilation . There are settings you have to set for the material type you are using and for the type of cut you want. (Etching, engraving, cutting, etc.) I could not for the life of me figure out how to cut the wood! Lol I did join some FB groups that I found were super helpful in showing me what settings (it’s printable to have for future use) I need to have to cut through. But for now I’m taking a break and will try again soon.
Overall…I love it! It’s just going to take some time for me to learn how to use it and everything else about it. I have seen videos where this machine does beautiful things! The test runs I did, which were like etching, came out very nice and clean. No issues with it. I I’ll be going out to buy some bigger wood and other material to try on. I would recommend this laser!
Again, good laser engraver but there are limitations here. For the price and for how large a community there is out there, this is a no brainer at this price point.
On the software side, you basically have to contend with the serial-to-USB bridge chip. You may or may not have issues, but there's a driver for you in the event that you can't communicate with the microcontroller natively. You can use LaserGRBL with this unit, but I don't really care for it much. I like a few of the features, like being able to fire the laser at low power to determine positioning. For all actual work, I just use LightBurn. The software is much more powerful and intuitive. Yes, it costs money, but I think you'll probably agree that it's worth it.
Operationally, there's not much to know about using a laser diode machine. Since you aren't working with a CO2 laser, there are plenty of materials that either won't etch, or require surface prep/painting in order to get a decent result. The main problem you'll run into is knowing what power and speed settings to use. It helps to have a test pattern that you run per material, but I generally go to xTool's material settings page, and look up the 5W settings (it's a good starting point). While you CAN technically cut with the A5 M40, I think you'd be much better off stepping up to a 10W diode unit. While this is a manual focus unit, I do appreciate that there's a tool-less adjustment. My gripe, though, is that the diode unit is not yaw stabilized during this adjustment. The problem with that is that the beam can come down at an angle, despite being set to the proper height from the working material (this, in turn, can result in poor focus and a degraded result).
Engraver prices seem to have jumped a bit, and the A5 M40's $399 price doesn't appear to be an exception. Bear in mind that your "all-in" price should probably include goggles, a LightBurn license, and a honeycomb bed. Maybe a rotary roller (I use an R3), if that's something that you want to work with. All in all, though, the A5 M40 is solid and has decent performance. Recommended
This device comes with a ton of smaller parts that you have to put together like a puzzle which is slightly annoying but it is pretty typical for machines like this. When I opened the box, everything was accounted for and the directions make it easy to know what goes where if you’re willing to put in the time. The machine is heavy and made of quality material that is unbending and unbreaking– it makes for a great piece in any art studio because it is as beautiful as it is effective.
Something I love about this brand is that there are a ton of videos online where you can find others working with it and showing all of its cool features. There are so many ways to be creative with this machine and I can’t wait to try all of it out. For now, I’m loving inscribing messages on wood, I feel this medium is the most accurate and easy to control for beginners and the laser is easy to see without any distracting reflection. I recommend this to any beginner like myself or even to any professional– my sister who is a veteran laser engraver says that it is just as good as the other, far more expensive, machines!
Putting this unit together was easy enough, it took roughly a half an hour. The process was clear and smooth. I had to download the software (suggested by other reviews) and familiarize myself with it, as it is brand new to me. I was able to test on a few items with decent results. For me personally, I think there is still quite a bit to learn and perfect, but practice makes perfect! I ordered some metal cards, credit card size, to use for various crafts, tags, etc. and I am eager to get some time to work on those. I definitely think this will suffice for my Glowforge desire for the time being. I am glad I went this route first.
My only complaint with this machine is that it must be plugged into a computer to function. My other machines accept files using USB, which is convenient. Because of this, we had to purchase a small functioning computer specifically for this machine since we do not use it in our home where our home computers are. We prefer to keep our messy or fume creating machines away from our residence. This is a workshop machine and needed it's own computer. So keep that in mind when purchasing.
This arrived very safely packed and without damage. The directions were a bit challenging due to the thanks of my kid that opened everything and laid it out. Had she not "helped" everything would have been much simpler. I was able to assemble and use it with some help from utube. I did have to use downloadable free software, but there are more expensive options out there to purchase that might be easier to use.
Engraving was clear and I am happy with the results. Money well spent!
Assembling this went well, the instructions are clear and easy. Software on the other hand seemed to be a bit of an effort on my Mac. The software you have to use with a max is not free. You get a 30 day trail but after that you have to purchase the software. I’m going to try out a different computer so I can try it through the windows software (that ones free).
For those that know what their doing this engraver is perfect. Quality product.
-Easy to assemble with clear instructions.
-Looks impressive and we like the color.
-Safer than designs with exposed lasers.
Bad:
-USB cable co...More
-Easy to assemble with clear instructions.
-Looks impressive and we like the color.
-Safer than designs with exposed lasers.
Bad:
-USB cable could be longer.
I ordered the ATOMSACK A5 M40 Laser Engraver for Wood and Metal. We like that the instructions are easy to follow and parts are labeled for simple assembly. We found the laser to be powerful and effective for our project. Overall, we think that the engraver works well and we would recommend.
LaserGRBL was very easy to install and the laser connected right up in Windows. Just make sure you install the driver per instructions and restart the software.
I found it was easiest to set my work piece in the cutting or engraving area and manually move the laser to the edge or center of my piece. Use Ctrl Z to set the home point and then use the perimeter trace feature to see where the edge of the engraving will be. Adjust the piece as needed and repeat process.
One of the things I did was cut a 3/4 sheet of hard wood plywood as a base and engraves a grid on it to help with aligning pieces. You can create your own or find some downloads in the online groups.
After quite a bit of use engraving or cutting wood you find laser housing is building up residue from smoke and sap. It is very hard to clean off. I found a few video and used some cotton swabs and isopropyl alcohol clean the inside of the housing and the protective lense. I am not sure if this new design allows you to take the laser housing apart to clean the lense though. Maybe I need to do a video on it since the only cleaning video is for the older A5!
Overall this is probably one of the best entry level laser engravers. I found it was great at engraving wood and other materials but lacked the power to really be efficient at cutting even thin 4mm plywood. If most of what you will be doing is engraving like me then it works great!
I am really hooked and would love to do a full video review. And if AtomStack is willing would love to get my hands on the new X7 Pro to test it out and do some Amazon video reviews! Hint...hint! ;)
I am quite pleased with how easy it is to use this laser. I find the height adjustment knob on the laser quite useful. The laser does a good job at engraving many kinds of wood. It can also cut thin pieces of wood (1/8” quite easily). It can engrave on many soft surfaces. The movement of the laser head is quite smooth. As suggested in the manual, you can connect this laser to your computer using free LaserGRBL software. I had no problems connecting the laser to my Win10 laptop. I took my time assembling the kit and I finished it in about 1 hour. All necessary parts were included in the
The laser is very easy to set up and operate. Within an hour I was engraving and cutting a variety of items. Still a novice, most of what I am doing is experimenting, and not everything that I have produced is high quality. This is not a fault of the device; rather, it is because there is so much to learn about using laser devices and their settings that it will take time to get each setup correct.
The engraver comes with everything that is needed to start engraving, except for the connected computer and the laser software (which is free). There are even sample wood and acrylic pieces included that you are able to use to test the machine. The included manual is for assembly only. In the back of the manual is a QR code that will take you to a detailed manual on using LaserGRBL with the Atomstack engraver. If you are a novice and plan to use LaserGRBL, this manual is a must-have.
Assembly is somewhat involved, but the manufacturer has made it as painless as possible to do the assembly. The instructions are clear, and each assembly step has its own separate package of fittings used in that step. This is one of the best thought out assembly processes that I have encountered. It is important that the screws are tight, but not too tight that they strip. The frame is aluminum, so be cautious. The only challenging step was the installation of the two X-axis control belts. Although it is possible to install these belts with just one person, it is much easier if you have a second person holding tension on the two belts as you ensure that each side has the same amount of tension and that both sides are properly aligned. You do not want these to be unbalanced or the quality of the prints could be affected. I secured one end of each belt to the frame, fed the belts through the mechanism, then had another person place tension on the unattached ends of the two belts at the same time as I adjusted the belts at the mechanisms to ensure that they were the same. While still holding tension, I secured the second end of each belt.
To operate the laser, you must install a program that creates the actual program code that runs the laser. I used LaserGRBL, which is a free program for the windows operating system recommended by Atomstack. The manual that I mentioned earlier does a very good job of walking you through the steps of creating an engraving using the software, and it also provides the recommended initial settings to use based on the material being engraved. It is important to note that engraving and cutting is not always easy. There are numerous device settings and options that need to be set correctly to yield the best result. Quality engraving (and cutting) is a delicate balance between the quality of the image, the material being used, the speed of the laser, and the intensity of the laser. There is a lot of trial-and-error involved with achieving a great result. I suggest that you spend time watching online videos to become educated on both the software and on using lasers in general.
I like that this laser has built-in eye protection. Lasers can be extremely harmful if not used correctly. Much like welders use a welding helmet to protect their eyes, most lasers require the use of protective glasses. This device has solid sides and a green shield in the front that extends from the laser to the workpiece which serves the same purpose. It is important to note that lasers can reflect from a surface and cause just as much damage, so be cautious when engraving metallic or other reflective objects. Protective goggles are included for those who want maximum protection.
This laser has a fixed-focus laser that does not require optical adjustments, as most other lasers require. As long as the laser is set to the proper distance from the workpiece, using the included acrylic spacer, it will perform properly. I like that there is a built-in fan that blows smoke away from the workpiece. Smoke will refract the laser causing fluctuations in its intensity, so blowing it out of the way is helpful.
Now, about that positioning knob. Disappointment number one: I thought, based on the listing, that the laser would be mounted in such a way that as you turn the knob, the laser would move up or down as the knob is turned. It does not. The picture showing the single knob system is misleading. The knob is actually just a screw that tightens against the mounting plate to hold the laser in position. Although the single knob sounds like an upgrade from the two bolt system of my 20-watt engraver, I am not convinced that it is better. Disappointment number two: The screw creates indentations in the aluminum back plate that affect the positioning of the laser. For example, when trying to fine-tune the laser’s position, these indentations tend to cause the screw to slip into them, throwing off the alignment very slightly. In addition, there are several holes drilled into the backplate that do the same thing. Perhaps the backplate should be made of steel so that it is not easily marred. I do not think that I am tightening the screw too much, but just enough to hold the laser in position. I think that over the long run, the two bolt system that my 20-watt engraver has will be better.
Aside from the failure of the mounting/adjusting system, I am very happy with the performance of this engraver. It is very easy to use, which is great for novices, yet it seems to be as capable as any other entry to mid-level laser engraver out there.
My husband has been using this engraver almost every night since we received it, mostly for identification i...More
My husband has been using this engraver almost every night since we received it, mostly for identification info on everything from key fobs and flash drives to the tools he uses at home and at work. We waited until he felt he knew the machine inside and out before writing this review. He's very experienced with assembly and said that it took about an hour from the time he unboxed it until it was under software control by his PC. All holes are pre-drilled and tapped and the joints and corners were well-aligned. Adjusting both the carriage and the drive belt installation and tensioning were the only things that took a bit of extra care. The instructions are missing key details and illustrations, which would definitely slow down anyone who hasn't done a lot of assembly. He did not find any instructions for the software or driver in the box but were easily able to find the manufacturer's product support page which had complete documentation. Although he had not used a laser engraver before, he has used workbench CNC machines, which also use GRBL control files; if you know those, this will be extremely familiar. Even if you don't, the software is very popular and there are loads of how-to videos available. You will want to operate this in a well-ventilated area and definitely not inside your house. It quite literally burns material to do engraving and not only does it smell bad, you DO NOT want to breathe in those fumes. It would be hard to contain too since the laser has a compact high-velocity fan that blows the smoke away from the laser body and the work. My husband said the experience of getting good results from laser engraving is basically the same as getting their 3D printer to make high-quality prints - it takes a lot of trial-and-error and becoming familiar with your machine and the materials. If you put in the time, you can get great results with it. Highly recommend.
Assembly of the laser engraver was pretty...More
Assembly of the laser engraver was pretty easy with only 5 steps you are done before you know it and it is sturdy. it comes with all the tools you need to assemble it plus some extra wood blanks to practice on.
using it is a little more complicated but watching a YouTube video or two will straighten anyone right out.
some things to note. if you try to zero out the laser manually you can cause gear grinding best to do it in the app. also manual laser adjustment to project height is limited. Definitely worth the money.
The samples look great, this thing is definitely capable of good ...More
The samples look great, this thing is definitely capable of good results. But there is a learning curve, you've got to spend some time with it.
Assembly instructions were pretty good, took about an hour. It had a QR code to download the manual for the software.
I don't care for moving parts out of aluminum. The backplate for the laser adjustment is made of aluminum and seems to get a new indent every time I tighten the screws that hold the laser in place. Irritating.
But overall, there are a million things you can do with this, and the price is good compared to equivalent engravers from other brands.
If you are new to laser engravers. . . One of the first things you will want to do is some research to find out which engraver is going to work best for your needs. This actually has more to do with the wattage of the engraver than anything else. This is a 40 W engraver, which will work well on things like wood… Paper… Leather… Some plastics… And so on. But it does not work very well on metal. For metal engraving you need at least 50 W. And of course the higher the wattage the more expensive the engraver will be.
I use this engraver in a school setting and we have a lot of fun experimenting on different things. So for my needs, it works very well.
This engraver is made in China and being sold by Chinese company on Amazon.