AtomStack A10 Pro (X7 Pro, S10 Pro) Makes Everyone a Master Crafter
ATOMSTACK A10 Pro is an eye-protecting laser engraving machine with a laser power of 10W. It has an engraving area of 410x400mm and an all-aluminum alloy structure, which can be installed quickly. A10 Pro supports engraving materials including metal, 304 mirror stainless steel, high-energy wood, CNC, wood, slate, etc. It is a high-power, high-energy laser cutting equipment, and supports offline engraving. A10 Pro has an emergency stop button and a horizontal gyroscope, so that it can achieve a safe 150W CO₂ laser engraving effect.
Main Features Of AtomStack A10 Pro(X7 Pro, S10 Pro):
1. The new filter panoramic glass eye protection design: the panoramic filter glass protective cover plays a very good role in protecting your eyes, filtering 97% of the ultraviolet light, you and the people around you do not need to wear goggles, you can also watch laser engraving. Reduce the cost of your goggles and the inconvenience of wearing goggles.
2. Solid and easy installation structure design: The all-aluminum alloy anodized structure design makes the machine more durable, and improves the accuracy of engraving. The entire structure has been designed for quick assembly, and the assembly can generally be completed within 10-20 minutes.
3. Upgraded high-performance fixed-focus laser: no need to adjust the focus before engraving; The focal spot area of the new laser is only 1/3 of the spot area of other ordinary lasers, new laser combine precision engraving and high energy cutting at the same time. The laser power of the fixed-focus laser is more stable than the zoom laser.
4. Wide compatibility:The machine can be compatible with various mature engraving software, such as LaserGRBL, LightBurn, support Win XP / Win 7 / Win 8 / Win 10 / Win 11, and also support MAC system (LightBurn), engraving file format supports NC, BMP, JPG, PNG, DXF etc.
5. Precise scale lines axis: There are precise scale lines on the X-axis and Y-axis to facilitate quick length measurement. 410x400mm large area engraving interval can meet your various engraving needs.
6. Upgraded dual compression spot coupling technology: ultra-fine laser focus area is reduced to 0.08*0.08mm, high-density laser can easily cut 20mm thick wood, 15mm thick black acrylic; can directly engrave mirror stainless steel metal, ceramics, glass, and engraving &The cutting speed is 40% higher than the ordinary model, which can be comparable to the effect of the 150W CO₂ laser engraving machine.
7. Integral screw rod: The machine uses an integrated screw rod instead of a combined coupling. The stepping motor and the screw rod are integrated, which makes the movement of the laser more precise and the coupling more durable.
8. New laser with knob: It is more convenient and quick to adjust the height of the laser.
9. Support offline engraving: A10 PRO configures the terminal control panel, supports offline engraving, you can carry out engraving work anytime and anywhere without being restricted by the computer.
10. The new laser is equipped with a horizontal gyroscope: which stops working immediately when it is tilted to ensure your safety
11. The laser sintering temperature is up to 1200℃
12. Emergency stop button: In the event of an unexpected situation, stop the machine at any time to make the engraving safer
13. Stopper: Yes
14. Reset switch: Yes
15. Expandable engraving size: modular design of the body mechanism, only need to replace the frame components, you can get 410*850mm super large engraving size
Product Information:
Item model number: ATOMSTACK A10 PRO
Working area: 410*400mm
Carving Objects: Wood, bamboo, cardboard, plastic, leather, PCB board, aluminum oxide, non-reflective
Electroplating layer and paint surface layer metal, 304 mirror stainless steel, glass, ceramics, cotton cloth, slate;
Cutting Objects: Cardboard, non-woven fabric, wood board, acrylic, some thin plastic board, sponge;
Machine Power: 50W
Laser Output Power: 10-11W
Wave Length: 445 ± 5nm
Engraving accuracy: 0.01mm
Focusing method: fixed focus laser, no need to focus
Laser protective cover: Protect the user’s eyes and prevent pets from grabbing the laser spot.
Operating software: LaserGRBL, supports Win XP / Win 7 / Win 8 / XP / Win 10 / Win 11 system; LightBurn, supports Windows/Mac OS/Linux
Input Format: NC, BMP, JPG, PNG, DXF, etc.
Data transmission method: USB connection.
Input Voltage: AC100-240V, 50/60Hz
Output Voltage: DC12V, 5A
Certification: CE, FCC, RoHS, FDA, PSE
AtomStack A10 Pro(X7 Pro, S10 Pro) LASER ENGRAVER PACKAGE:
1 × Mounting screw
1× Tool kit
4× Foot pad foam
1× Film
3× Acrylic sheet
3 × Wood chips
10× Wire tie
1× Desiccant
1× Brush
1× Clean cloth
1× Card reader
1× TF card
1× Power adapter
1× Instruction
1× Data line
1× Touch screen components
1× HDMI cable
1× Laser module
1× Cutting pad
1× X axis assembly
1× Y axis left profile
1× Y axis right profile
1× Profile on the base
1× Under the base profile
3× Foot bracket
Note:
– When operating the laser engraving machine, please install the laser protective cover. If it is not installed, you need to wear goggles.
– Please do not touch the laser emitter with your hand, or it may burn your hand.
– Please avoid strong impact on the machine.
– Children under 14 are not allowed to use this product and children over 14 need adult supervision.
– The light engraving machine can not be directly applied to any mirror reflecting object, which may cause injury to the operator or burn the laser.
Assembly was on par with any extrusion based engraver. I followed the manual rather than looking up a video on YouTube. Like the A5 series, the assembly instructions in the manual for the A10 were clearly written by someone who was very familiar with how the machine was supposed to go together, and never checked to see how well they were written. Here are a few gotcha points, when information that should have been in the early steps shows up in later steps. This results in having to take apart the unit to move things around based on that new info. There have been some improvements though. The instructions for LaserGRBL now include how to install the custom buttons later referred to, and, the new instructions for using the offline mode actually make sense.
In terms of build quality, the A10 follows the tried and true aluminum extrusion frame, stepper motors, GT2 belts/gears, and plastic wheels. The D1 went a different route, sporting a steel frame and linear rails with U slot bearing ”wheels”, something they like to crow about. (They’re still using the same steppers, belts, and gears under the hood.) As an end user, does it matter? Maybe. If you’re hunting for something you don’t plan to do anything with other than use exactly as it is, it doesn’t matter much, if at all. If you’re the type that likes add-ons, accessories, tinkering, and may even want to expand your engraving area, then yes it matters. The extrusion based engravers have a whole giant ecosystem of stuff to play with, years and years worth of things being designed and made for them, while the D1 is quite limited to what xTool has put on the market and a few people have developed. What will be most interesting will be how the tried and true performs when it’s hitting those upper speed ranges.
Finally taking a page from Ortur’s book, the A10 comes with limit switches on the X and Y axis. A handy item for getting exact locations every time without needing extra steps in one’s process. Some people love them, while others believe they’re unnecessary. Personally, I’m a fan, but I’m not going to get into the argument here. Like the Pro+ and A5, the A10 has measurement markings down the Y and X axis, and Atomstack still hasn’t made them make sense. The X is good, the 0 point lines up with the farthest position the laser can move to. The Y markings start 0 some ~60mm back from the farthest point of travel the laser can make. Given that they put limit switches on here, providing a definite 0 point, the markings make even less sense than on previous generation models. In fairness, Sculpfun put the 0/0 markings in the front left corner, while the D1 doesn’t have any markings. Nor does the D1 have limit switches to go along with the “Home” button inside xTool’s Laserbox Basic software. Its control board has unpopulated ports for them, but someone at xTool decided to leave them off and the firmware is locked, removing the ability for user intervention.
Focus! Yes, that important bit. The A10 uses a knob in the center of the laser module to loosen it on the gantry, and a card to set the focus. Put the card under the laser, loosen the knob, let the module drop down to rest on the card, retighten the knob, done. Simple. Except on mine, tightening the knob resulted in the module wanting to twist, turn, and generally not sit where it was supposed to. A firm grip on the module was needed to get it to stay put. Atomstack wasn’t the only one leafing through Ortur’s bag of tricks. Like the LM2, D1 uses a long screw with a knurled handle on the end, mounted to the side of the laser module. While I like this better, not just because it actually works correctly and consistently, other D1 owners complain about the size and location of the handle, which is snuggled up close to the X gantry and module where fat fingers have some difficulty getting at it. What xTool improved on the D1 was that instead of using a separate piece to set the focus with (and lose), they put a little flip down lever in the laser module itself. So far, it’s worked great, but I wonder how long it will be until the lever no longer sticks in the closed position….
OK, let’s get on to the performance, shall we? To compare the machines, I set up a test sequence for cutting and engraving, keeping the power level stable and while varying the speed. For cutting, speed ranges from 120mm/m to 1020mm/m with 1 to 4 passes at 80% power. On the engraving side, speed ranged from 2000mm/m to 6000mm/m at 40% power. The same image was used, passthrough mode. Running the engravings at slower speeds on the D1 and A10 resulted in some charred material where the engraving was supposed to be .
Anyhow, in cutting power, the Atomstack and xTool tied. Both were able to cut through 3.3mm plywood at 120mm/m in one pass, at 420mm/m in two passes, at 720mm/m in three passes, and 1020mm/m with 4 passes. By comparison, the A5 and A5 Pro units topped out at 720mm/m with 4 passes, the Sculpfun S6 Pro topped out at 420mm/m with four passes. The engravings for both the A10 and D1 looked best at 4000mm/m, though 6000mm/m would be usable and could be nicely enhanced with another pass or two. Examining the cuts and engravings from the two top dogs closely, I couldn’t tell any different between them. If the A10 is sporting a smaller dot size or more powerful laser combo, it wasn’t evident in my testing.
Last but not least, there is that offline mode on the A10. This is something the D1 lacks, though for counterpoint, the D1 has wifi, kinda. You have to use xTool’s Laserbox Basic software to access the wifi option, and the associated app which is even more basic. Back to the offline mode, it does work pretty ok. I was able to export the gcode from Lightburn onto an SD card, load the SD card into the A10, and get everything moving without significant issue. It wasn’t perfect though. In Lightburn, I had already aligned my image with the material, via camera. When the gcode was sent over to the A10 though, it was no longer centered. Thankfully, there is a framing option in the offline controls, so I could realign. Not sure what causes the misalignment, but it was a consistent issue each time I tested the feature out. Other offline options include the ability to change speed and power while a job is running. This is setup the same as Lightburn’s options in the Move window, allowing % bumps rather than absolute values.
Some last notes on various stuff. Because of its lighter farme, when the A10 gets going at the upper speeds, it does wiggle a bit. You’ll want to nail it down to a spoil board so that everything stays aligned while you’re running jobs. If you use a camera setup in Lightburn, the A10 stays aligned very well. Oh, before I forget, the magnet on the control panel is really weak, so expect it to fall off if you lift the front of the unit.
Let’s wrap this up before you fall asleep. The Atomstack A10 and the xTool D1 perform pretty much exactly the same and are in the same price range (at the time of this writing). However, neither is perfect, and each takes a different path. The Atomstack is open and easily modified, ideal for the tinkering crowd. The xTool is closed and limited, more for the push the button and forget about it types who have no interest in pushing the limits of their skills or machine. Overall, I am giving the A10 the same rating I ultimately gave the D1 - 4 stars
5 stars - Excellent/Perfect - This is the stuff right here, folks! Rare gem.
4 stars - Good/Great - Has a lot going for it, even if not perfect
3 stars - Ok - Not bad, but doesn’t have anything particularly special about it
2 stars - Not so good - More cons than pros on this little number
1 star - Don’t walk, run away - No redeeming qualities
I am quite impressed with the performance of this new Atomstack laser engraver. I have had a lot of great experiences with my Atomstack A5 Pro, but I have always had dreams of engraving on metal. This laser is a game changer because I can finally do that. I am also excited about engraving some glass. I really like the safety features on this device, especially the big red button. The first time I tried engraving a piece on a different laser, I got in trouble and stuck my hand in there to prevent disaster—bad move! It's so much safer to have a prominent stop button. The added visual shielding on this laser is another great safety move. I have just started trying out the possibilities with this laser, but so far, I like what I see. The laser produces a clear sharp cut, and is noticeably faster than the A5 Pro. The knob on the laser mount makes it easy to adjust the height of the laser—no tools necessary. I have put several similar kits together before, so I am familiar with the general build. Working slowly and methodically, I was able to get this kit up and running in 40 minutes. Now I’m considering purchasing the add-on kit which enables you to lengthen the cutting area to 410 mm x 850 mm. Overall, this is a very capable desktop laser for home or shop use.
Good stuff:
* To be c...More
Good stuff:
* To be completely honest, I've been using this laser instead of my CO2 30 watt Beamo (that I just had to replace the laser tube in, by the way). It's generally faster, easier to use, and is able to cut through much larger and thicker material than the Beamo - and is also considerably cheaper.
* The A10 Pro goes through 3/4" plywood without much trouble at all, and it seems to cut cleaner on wood than my CO2 laser, but that may just be settings.
* The working area is pretty large. It's essentially a 16" x 15.5" / 410mm x 400mm space, and there's a kit available from Atomstack that allows you to expand that even further.
* The height adjustment is way better. There's a simple handle to loosen and tighten a single screw, so no more need to have an allen wrench around just to adjust the height.
* The hardware power button, reset button, and emergency stop button - literally a big red "smack me" kind of button - are great adds. The buttons themselves are high quality, as well.
* The top speed is 6000 mm/minute - very fast, and it retains its accuracy at higher speeds. The diode unit assembly is solid and doesn't wiggle at all, and I haven't run into any wavy lines, even while engraving at higher speeds.
Less than good stuff:
* The instructions on the A10 weren't as clear or concise as the A5, for some reason. It's nearly the identical assembly process, but the manual isn't written nearly as well.
* The LCD display is only really useful when running jobs from SD cards. If you have a system connected via USB, the display simply has a "Carve" button. I would have liked to have the same options you have when cutting via SD, such as moving, changing power, etc., but it's a small geek complaint.
The A10 Pro is a pretty massive upgrade from the A5, and while the twice-as-much price tag is an indicator, the features and power are exponentially better. I hope this was helpful - if you're thinking about a laser in this price range, I'd highly recommend the A10 Pro.
TLDR: It took us a bit of research and some backtracking and one small cabling modification, but we got it all up and running and absolutely love the results from our testing. We’re going to jump into real projects now and are so fired up with all the possibilities that this laser opens up.
NOTE: If you don’t have good laser blocking glasses / goggles, order them now. We ended up watching our job progress through FaceTime to avoid damage to our eyes from the laser while we waited for our laser glasses to arrive.
This laser requires your glasses cover 455±5nm OD5+ according to the specifications and the user guide. Seeing many warnings to not use cheap glasses, we went with a known brand: Eagle Pair 190-540nm OD6 Slip Over Laser Safety Goggles from Survival Laser, which have 50% VLT. (OD6 is a step up from OD5.) If you don’t wear glasses, get the non-slip-over kind.
Due to being beginners plus dealing with the sometimes confusing directions, it took us over an hour to put this together and probably another hour to get it running. For example, when you get to fitting the belt, you have to detach the end with the control panel that you attached in a previous step to put in the t-nut to hold the belt.
PROS
1) It's awesome and easy to use once you figure it out.
2) Parts are organized by the steps in the directions.
3) Stronger laser (10-11w output) than many we saw.
4) The user’s guide warned that that we’d need a specific driver (CH340). We used LightBurn and we did. A thoughtful heads-up from the company.
If you’re experienced with laser engravers or cutters, you won’t have some of the problems that we did.
CONS
1) The power connection nearest the control module needs to be sturdier, as it is, if you don’t reinforce it, it’s going to break off. It’s just a matter of time as it bent down 90 degrees the minute we plugged it in and moved with each pass of the laser engraver. We ended up taking off the cable ties and redoing them. We tied the power cable slightly differently to gain slack. At the weak connector, we tied the small wire to the larger and tied the larger wire to the end of the chassis next to the control unit to hold it steady. (Maybe this was specific to our unit? Could it have been built wrong?)
2) No extra parts. We received a defective hex bolt that was missing the hex indentation. We’ll have to replace it somehow.
3) Some instructions need to be done in a different order; some need to be clearer.
4) The illustrations in the directions are MICROSCOPIC and seriously need to be much larger.
Overall, we are still jazzed to have this and thrilled at the possibilities it opens up. It was just a bit intimidating working through the poor directions with their tiny confusing pictures. Would get again in a heartbeat, though!
As the parent of kiddos with autism, there are causes near and dear to my heart. Let Amazon donate to your favorite charity! Use Amazon Smile (smile.amazon.com) when you order and Amazon will donate to the charity of your choice when you make a qualifying purchase. Check out how Amazon Smile works at https://smile.amazon.com/gp/chpf/about/ref=smi_se_rspo_laas_aas. My shopping is donating to my favorite charity, Canine Companions for Independence (CCI) at no cost to me. Awesome!
Had it setup by 5
Running my first project by 5:30!!!
I have had it 3 days and absolutely love it. Very powerful, capable ...More
Had it setup by 5
Running my first project by 5:30!!!
I have had it 3 days and absolutely love it. Very powerful, capable and easy to use. I’ve never owned a laser etcher and have been super happy with how easy it was to setup and use. I also have to say how impressed I was with how well it was packaged. A lot of thought has gone into this machine.
Compared to most other laser diode machines, this one has a 10w laser diode as opposed to just a 5w. Not only is the module itself double the power, but the spot size is tight and tiny while the module itself is incredibly to adjust. This translated to more precise cutting and engraving, as well as much faster performance as well.
That said, if you're looking into this machine, or any other for that matter, as a beginner, there is a bit of a learning curve. None of these machines are just plug and play your way to instant awesomeness and will require you to do some fiddling around in the software before you get the results you're looking for. Reading some of the other reviews it seems like some people are unaware of this and unjustly fault the machine for their lackluster results.
In my experience, lackluster results boil down to the settings you're using in the software, and with a little research can be quickly remedied and improved. So please, do your homework and don't blame the machine for operator error.
This machine performs spectacularly - with stellar precision and speed and unparalleled cutting power with just one pass.
Atomstack's customer service is exceptional as well, with all of my questions being replied to within the same day if not hours after asking.
Assembly is easy, and this machine in particular comes with the best instruction manual I've seen to date.
The touch screen is so nice to have, especially if you're running repeat jobs and don't want to go back and forth between a computer and the machine. It really streamlines efficiency over machines that lack the screen.
The laser module itself is designed with a shroud that eliminates the need for wearing eye protection, and makes it easy to see progress without worrying about grabbing glasses or damaging your eyesight.
Very impressed with the A10 Pro - its pricey, sure, but well worth the money if you can afford to spend it over the lower cost, lower powered machines.
So the glowforge is definitely the 400lb gorilla in the room that everyone wants to take a bite out of. Its the begin all end all for home laser engraving enthusiast (like myself). But its upfront cost is SUBSTANTIAL! And there are also ongoing cost for premium membership, their proprietary wood and for maintenance. My glowforge cost just south of 5k, where this atomstack is about a 5th of the cost of it. I can emphatically say that the atomstack can do exactly what the glowforge can as far as cutting and laser engraving can. However for that discount you are sacrificing quite a few comforts. Which Im going to outline below.
Th glowforge is a completely enclosed unit that contains an exchaust port that you hook up to vent fumes outside. The Atomstack does not have this and to me this is the biggest difference. I can run the glowforge in my home office and have all the vent fumes pushed outside. The atomstack is an open concept in which you cannot do this. Which means you are not going to be able to run this engraver in your room/office/garage without a lot of ventilation. Especially if you start cutting and engraving plastic or metal with etching paint. Both of those can reason toxic fumes in which its dangerous to breathe.
The glowforge software is refined and web-based wireless and easy to use (well somewhat) where as the atomstack is an offline only unit that has to have a card installed with what you want to print on it. You also need to use LaserBurn or another program on your PC to make the files for the engraver. In reality the laserburn software has evolved so much that its very easy to use. And putting things on a SD card is a minor annoyance at best.
The glowforge wants you to use their premade wood and makes it difficult to use wood youve sourced from somewhere else. Not the wood they supply is truly top notch and will always equal a quality product, but its cost is SUBSTANTIAL! If youre looking to laser cut/engrave for money you would be forced to charge a fortune just due to the sheer substantial cost of the cutting material. The atomstack works with anything you can lineup under it. However its not as "plug n Play" as the glowforge and you will need to do some tinkering and trial and error to get the right settings dialed in. You can just save those in laserburn easily for next time though so you dont need to go through the trying process everytime.
Glowforge has a proprietary web based software that you have to pay to use. Atomstack uses laserburn (which there is a one time cost) or you can use a litany of other free software. However laserburn is a worthwhile investment and considerably cheap for what you get. Glowforge charges a yearly fee thats several hundred dollars. Which further erodes your profits if youre looking to make money.
The glowforge being a co2 laser does cut things quicker than the atomstack, but the atomstack is very powerful unto itself and the difference in speed is quite negligible.
Glowforge unit is huge and unmovable. It weighs somewhere around 100+ lbs and isnt made to move around. The atomstack is light and easily moved with one hand. You can easily move it out of the way if you dont have a lot of workspace.
Truly the atomstack can do everything the glowforge can but without as many frills as the glowforge. It also requires a certain degree of mechanical ability, however it is far easier from the DIY laser engraves from yesteryear. If youre marginally patient and can operate a basic smartphone you can get the atomstack to work without issue.
Let me go over the pros/cons of the Atomstack
Pros;
-Incredibly affordable for this much power
-Duel focused laser is nearly as strong as a watercooled co2 laser
-Compact footprint with large print area, easy to move laser around
-Excellent speed and resolution
-No ongoing cost or proprietary software to pay for.
-No proprietary wood or engraving material to buy, if you can get it under the laser you can engrave it
-Can engrave CUPs/Mugs (glowforge cannot)
Cons;
-You do have to assemble it, which isnt difficult, however the instructions are unclear. This is one of the rare times that I wish I hadnt actually looked at them as I would have had it together quicker. Although it took me only about 45 minutes to assemble and that was with me assembling and disassembling it half a dozen times.
-No customer service. Keep in mind this isnt designed for someone who just wants to plug it in and have it work. It does take some technical ability and problem solving. However its really pretty simple compared to every other product outside of glowforge.
All in all this is the first laser engraver that can actually trade blows with the glowforge unit. It literally can do everything the glowforge can from engraving to cutting to etching pound for pound. Youre just giving up some of the creature comforts and ease of use thats all. However considering this is 1/5th the cost of the glowforge it hard to make a case to spend 5k on something that only adds a little more in the end.
I have wanted a laser engravedr/cutter ever since getting off my high school bud to promptly plant myself in front of How It’s Made and the realization of just how much you could DO with a laser. I won’t be fixing my horrendous -4 vision or anything, but I do feel well on the way to making and customizing all the things my crafty little heart desires.
First, every random little part and accessory you’d possibly need (that I know of anyway, I went into this literally and figuratively blind) is included, which is not only thoughtful, it makes the whole thing less daunting. The included design software is just intuitive enough to figure out for a beginner, but powerful enough to include the tools needed to create detailed designs and function in a way that’s more in-depth than just basic shapes.
I picked up this one, as well as the A5 pro, and with my limited prior knowledge I have to say I prefer this one- at least for the methods in which I know how to use it so far. The built in monitor (control panel? The mini computer attached to it that allows you to direct it) is a helpful addition, and the slightly stronger laser that is better equipped to engrave glass and cut thicker acrylic is better suited to my needs. (Glass engraving and, well, acrylic cutting). They’re both great tools, but this one seems to have just a bit more functionality that’s worth the slight cost increase. I’m sure a professional would have better input about the variance in tech specs, but as a hobbyist that hopes to eventually take this to a commercial level and having had the ability to try both, I’d go with this one if I were buying.
The reason for only four stars is tha...More
The reason for only four stars is that the assembly instructions are complete garbage. They are mostly pictographic with very little written instructions. This would be fine if they hadn’t drawn the images from the perspective of someone on the moon. That said, the product is very easy to assemble once you watch a YouTube tutorial. Great product but really needs a redo on the instructions.
Assembly. Atomstack is second to none here and makes this very simple and easy. The instructions are clearly made by someone who has assembled the machine before and understands what needs to be done and I love this. All the parts are in individual bags that are labeled for the exact step they are required for. Follow the directions and take it one bag at a time and it will be together before you know it.
This is a laser engraver but it is capable of cutting thin material as well. It will take several passes in most cases at a slower speed to do any cutting. This machine is not designed for this task necessarily so consider that when purchasing it. It can absolutely cut things like paper, cork sheets, some plastics(avoid acrylic for safety), as well as some thin woods.
One thing about this engraver that is confusing upon first glance is how the alignment of the gantry works. If you look at it top-down you will see that the numbers on one side do not match up to where you expect the head of the engraver to be. This is because the way you line this up is not by the head itself but by the little eye window of the part that rides on the rail itself. Hard to explain but once you see this it becomes incredibly obvious how it works. You look through this from the outside and line up the middle with the mark you want.
Software. This requires that you use some form of laser software like laserGRBL or Lightburn. laserGRBL is the free option that has less features. Lightburn costs money, a yearly subscription actually. Once you stop paying you cannot receive any more updates even if they are required updates to fix the software. You will be extorted to pay them again to get new features. The price just keeps going up too and it isn't far below a hundred right now. Good software, bad subscription policy. You need the software to create the engraving file for this but since this engraver includes it's own little controller with screen you can just insert the sd card with the file into it and start using it that way.
You will need to experiment with each material type you have. They all take different settings as far as the number of passes, laser intensity, and speed go. Luckily this is the fun part as it allows you to test out your new laser engraver. Overall I think this is a great unit. My favorite part is the included controller/screen as I no longer need to have a computer next to the unit for it to work.
You'll also have to get familiar with the laser engraving software. It's not the friendliest so give it time. Once you're up and running it's not too hard to start engraving. Get yourself some good safety glasses that meet the specs for this laser. It's BRIGHT!
Overall, this is a great engraver. It's on the pricey side, though, so make sure this is what you're looking for and know what you're getting into. This can take days to get good at.
--------------
* Beautiful! Aesthetically, a step up from their A5 model. The rails here are much nicer.
* 50w power, and 10w laser output ...More
--------------
* Beautiful! Aesthetically, a step up from their A5 model. The rails here are much nicer.
* 50w power, and 10w laser output vs A5 pro which was 40w with a 5 to 5.5w laser.
* Can cut about .78" thick wood, and .59" thick acrylic.
* Offline printing with onboard control module.
* Emergency stop button.
* Limit switches on both x and y axis.
* Height adjustment via an easy knob is much more convenient than the A5's allen wrench hassle.
THE BAD:
-----------
* My unit had QC issues. One of the machine screw came without the hex slot at the top, so the allen wrench couldn't grip it. Luckily I found a regular screw that fit.
* There is brand out there called Sculpfun. The best thing about their installation process is that it only uses one allen wrench. All their screws are the same size. For some reason, Atomstack likes to go through a bunch of different size allen wrenches.
* When putting this together, manual is lacking in telling you about the orientation of the rails. So the best thing to do is look at their pictures, but the pictures are so small. So for some pages, taking a photo of the image, then zooming in on your phone will help a lot. Also look at my pictures, that should help as well.
* Fumes are bad for you. Do your cutting with your garage doors open, or take the machine outside.
Watch my video for tips on installing the t-nuts, and how to adjust the rollers. I do feel this is worth the upgrade over the A5. I'll go 4-Stars.
The instructions were easy to follow and assembly was quick (30-60 minutes). Since I wanted to cut plywood, I built an enclosure for it with an exhaust fan. Since smoke will disperse the laser beam, it is important to remove the smoke (some people add an external air pump connected to the laser head with a rubber tube to blow away smoke).
It will easily etch glass and glazed tiles. These first need to be painted with either tempera paint or india ink. You can also use spray paint...even white paint works. When the paint/ink is dry, it absorbs the light and the glaze will be etched (note that the blue laser passes through clear materials so won't etch/cut them. I've tried cutting clear acrylic, but even with black paint it doesn't cut.
The cutter can cut 3/8" (4.5mm) plywood but may take 2-3 passes (full power, 250 mm/minute speed).
It will engrave stainless steel using the black paint technique (see the 6 coasters in picture).
The Atomstack cutter comes with a microUSB card and adapter, containing PDF copies of the instruction manual, a chart of settings for cutting/engraving different materials and a copy of the GRBL Laser that converts different images into the G-code (the industry standard for CNC machines) used by the cutter. The software is relatively simple: after importing the image, you decide whether you want to cut outlines (vector), raster scan (back and forth) or dither the image (dots placed to create the local shading/density of the image). The software allows you to see the image as you adjust the controls (contrast, brightness). Then you proceed to set the intensity and speed of cutting, and the size of the image. Clicking the Create button produces the g-code file as a ".nc" file.
After getting it assembled and setup, the machine works great. It has markings for alignment on the body but I wish the cutting mat that goes underneath were larger and also had a grid or something to make for easier alignment of your items. The front screen is supposed to stay in place using magnets but the magnets are too weak to hold it in place, which is a drawback. That very front end of my machine, where the control panel is, hangs off the table so the controller slides right down and off. I have to let it rest on the table nearby or let it dangle down to the floor. I'm thinking of getting some magnetic sticky strips or maybe even velcro to hold it place. I was able to find and use the machine relatively easily in LaserGRBL, but connecting it in Lightburn was a little more difficult as it had to be added manually. One of the features I really liked about this machine is that it can use a file saved to a card so I don't have to have my laptop connected to it while burning. I've had projects that take hours to finish and having to keep my laptop connected has been a hassle. Now I can walk away from the project while it's burning and do other things on my laptop in other places. That's been a huge improvement for me over my last model.
Overall, I think the machine performs well and as I expected. It's reasonably easy to put together and similar in difficulty/easy to other laser engraving machines. I also have atomstack's rotary roller for doing curved objects and it works well with that accessory as well. It' a bit on the pricier end and for the price I'm really disappointed with the control panel not being able to stay in place. Is it a huge improvement over their lower models... not for the most part. There's a little improvement and better cutting power in this model but to me the biggest factor is that you can do jobs without a computer connection. That's what makes this one worth it more than anything over the other lower models to me.
MY STRONG ADVICE, do your research and see where you can get the product at the best price.
I've always been a tinkerer, so I am used to going the DIY route. That said, I didn't want this experience to be quite as rough as my first FDM printer, or my larger K40 CO2 laser. The Atomstack arrived in a sturdy box which was smaller than I'd expected. Inside, I found a carved foam interior, with extrusions, plates, the gantry, the laser assembly, and a few bags of hardware. The instruction manual looked substantial... until I opened it. The assembly diagrams are small, and not the most useful if you haven't put together anything with X and Y belts and stepper motors. Specifically, I think the belt routing instructions for the Y-axis belts could be more clear. Assembly took about 10 minutes, and about the only consideration is that you will need a fairly large (and flat) work surface.
Aesthetically, the A10 Pro looks pretty nice. The pieces fit well, have great surface finish, and look like the results of some quality engineering. I don't really love the top-facing power and USB connections, but that's a minor gripe. The cable routing and cable control aren't the best. Still, the mechanical engineering and industrial design are quite a bit better than the software experience. The next step is to install LaserGRBL and the CH340 driver. The installation programs for both look pretty sketchy, but worked on my W10 Pro (21H2) workstation. Next, I installed Lightburn. My A10 Pro couldn't be detected in software, so I manually set it up. LaserGRBL is awful, but it has good material position location capabilities. Lightburn is quite a bit better than LaserGRBL, but it's missing some of the things that are most useful about LaserGRBL.
In operation, the A10 Pro works fine. There's no autofocus, and no focus distance aid, so you're on your own in adjusting the module height. That wouldn't really be much of an issue, except the module wants to creep or skew when you're using the tightening screw. It's not the end of the world, but it's certainly not the nicest design. I've used the device on painted metal, plastic, and wood. My biggest problem with the machine is knowing what speeds and laser power to use. Atomstack has a PDF "guide", but it's not very helpful so it's more a matter of trial and error. My next biggest issue is the matter of material positioning. The glass shroud around the laser module is meant to protect your eyes, but it definitely makes precision placement of your material pretty difficult. Incidentally, I don't know that I really trust the glass shroud - I'm using goggles with this machine.
My overall goal with getting an etching machine was to decrease my usage of my K40. The water, exhaust, air assist, etc. make me dread doing relatively small or short tasks... exactly the kind that I can now do with the A10 Pro instead. The overall experience isn't quite plug-and-play, but it's much closer than some similar machines. If you don't mind working for it a little, this can be a nice machine. It's mostly the price and the software that drop the value of this machine, in my eyes. I mean, there have been Arduinos with native USB for years, so why are we still using a CH340 bridge chip? Also, $650 is a decent chunk of change... and the Makeblock xTool D1 (at the time of this review) SELLS FOR THE SAME PRICE. If the prices were the same when I ordered the A10 Pro, I think I might have gone the other way. Ugh. Conditionally Recommended
Choose GBRL and input the requested information a...More
Choose GBRL and input the requested information and reboot the lightburn program. It should go to home position. This laser module produces a very tight beam as far away as 1/2" below the focal point so it should be great for cutting 1/2" plywood. I intended to use this one for engraving as cutting produces a lot of smoke. There are many youtube videos on assembly and setup if you need help.
The only thing I wasn't 100% impressed with is the control panel, the leads and controls are not up to the standard of the remainder of the machine - leads are placed awkwardly and the switches are a bit clumsy. Might suit other people but not me.