Atomstack A5 M40 Laser Cutter/Etcher Introduction and Review
Ғылым және технология
In this video I'll talk about the Atomstack A5 M40, but also an introduction into the hobby of laser cutting and engraving. Knowing more about the hobby will help understand the capabilities of this laser, and where it really shines.
I discuss features of the laser such as a quick focusing system, tiny (and almost square!) dot shape, and the size. I also discuss various materials, and then show projects I've done with it using many of them to give you ideas of the capabilities.
This is the first in a series I'll be doing on this system, just because there are so many things that I wanted to show and talk about that I learned while I've had it. The hobby of laser engraving and cutting is HUGE and there are so many cool projects and techniques to learn.
Links to the products (And 10% coupons!)
Atomstack A5 M40 on official website (This is the MUCH better price-$329)
bit.ly/AtomStack-Laser-Engraver
Coupon code: GeekToolkit
Amazon - Usually $399 here, but 10% off coupon
amzn.to/3n8VHUA
Coupon code: 10GeekToolkt
Accessories Mentioned in the video:
Honeycomb bed: amzn.to/3zGJfjS
Air pump for air assist: amzn.to/3K6JSrU
4" Fan for an exhaust: amzn.to/3HNyb7f
Emergency Stop button: amzn.to/3K7xJmD
Air Assist 3d models (Note: Still researching this for compatibility with the M40 specifically)
www.thingiverse.com/search?q=...
Facebook groups:
Atomstack General group - / 1178494709175124
Atomstack 40W Pro group (Though slightly different model, much of the discussion here is relevant) / 497474664689694
SAFETY NOTES:
Please ALWAYS wear safety glasses and never run the laser unattended! If something happens such as a belt slip or gcode error and the head doesn't move when cutting wood, the chance of a fire is pretty high. Keep a fire extinguisher close. NEVER cut something unless you've researched it and it's approved. NEVER cut PVC or Vinyl..both can emit a toxic and caustic gas that can hurt you. Even in an enclosure it'll destroy the printer.
Other Notes:
This video is almost a 'brain dump', but there's just so much information that I tried to fit in to get you the most info in as short of a video as possible. I also wanted to share the surprising stuff about the hobby that I wasn't aware of. I plan on making a series of videos out of this to go slower through some of the stuff I blast through in this one.
In the end...I want to let the viewer know what they can do with this product vs. just spew stats. When I researched lasers I didn't find knowing '5.5 watts' vs. '3 watts' as being very helpful. But now being able to say 'I can cut through this wood, and dark acrylic and such...that is much more useful. So this format may not match a 'review' as much as a 'capabilities' video.
Пікірлер: 35
Fantastic video. Learnt a lot in this short video. just bought the Atomstack A5 M40 pro with the offline accessory. Looking forward to getting many things done.
@geektoolkit
Жыл бұрын
I think the amount of things you can do is so wild and endless. Also if you celebrate thanksgiving..or like pies...or I guess food...remember you can laser food! There's some cool pies online with designs etched into them :D
Greetings, I just subbed because of the content in your video. Love how you present things and DON'T over complicate. Keep on keeping on brother!
@geektoolkit
Жыл бұрын
Thankyou!!!! I appreciate the support and work hard to not waste anyone’s time. I’ll have a bunch of content in the new year I’m in the middle of a move for now!
Just repeating here. Great video. Helped my with my purchase A.L.O.T.
@geektoolkit
2 жыл бұрын
Yay glad it helped!!! I was really shocked by how useful these lasers are!
Your comment about putting furniture together had me laughing
@geektoolkit
2 жыл бұрын
Hey it's great to see you on here! Yeah that comment is totally me...I just always seem to mount something upside down if I don't double and triple check things. I get really frustrated when I STILL mess it up after all of that :D
Hello Joe, Great video. Very informative. What I would like to get is a starting point for speeds and power % for new users. Like with cnc, there is a speeds and feeds chart. It is only for a starting point and would save a ton of time. Keep up the good work and have a great day.
@geektoolkit
2 жыл бұрын
Thankyou! That's on my docket of videos to make actually, but I wanted to take some time myself to try to figure it out a bit more :) Stay tuned!
Is there a link to the test board and project you showed? I'd love to use that and seems perfoect for what I need it for?
Great video! I was looking at the Glowforge awhile ago, but strayed away because of the price and I was super nervous to try laser cutting 🥴
@geektoolkit
2 жыл бұрын
Thank you!! It’s a fun hobby but with these “open air” lasers you really have to sit there and watch them the entire time, they can be super dangerous if left unattended. Other than that though once you get it down it is like a printer that prints on wood and such which is neat :)
Hello, have you tried cutting the plexi?
Really great video! Super impressed with everything that laser can do - especially at that price. Let's see some Darth Maul, the contrast would be perfect!
@geektoolkit
2 жыл бұрын
Oooh that will happen soon!! That’s a great idea!
Keep up with info with light burn as well. I have a 10watt diode I need to install in my router. It would be nice if it correlates with what you do on a different brand piece of equipment. Cool vid btw.
@geektoolkit
2 жыл бұрын
Thank you!! Whoa a 10 watt?! That’ll be awesome!!
Very cool, I'm thinking of the A5 M40 or the P7 seems they have the same laser.
@geektoolkit
2 жыл бұрын
I’ll have to check out the p7. I’m super happy with the laser power though. And the rep told me that running it at 100% is ok, just not for over 24 hours or anything. 10k hour rating on it too! Solid laser!
Very informational! I am looking to buy this machine for cutting thin acrylics... but then you mentioned it'd cut only the black acrylics...how about the opaque? or let say clear acrylics covered with opaque sticker...
@geektoolkit
2 жыл бұрын
Opaque I hear it does great at, I still need to get some but I've seen cuts with it. For clear that is colored and cuts...I don't believe it can. I've only seen diodes do engravings so far on clear that are colored. The thing is, if you want to cut clear you're looking at a CO2 laser...so it's just based on if that's in budget..then that's the way to go. If not, then the question is can you handle just being able to work with dark/opaques.
@rivernept1769
2 жыл бұрын
@@geektoolkit much appreciated for the reply. Yeah that's my concern but a CO2 would be another story for me... its just for little and fun projects at home.
Could you do a video on how to install a webcam on this laser please?
@geektoolkit
2 жыл бұрын
Yeah! I can get one setup for lightburn. I’m a bit behind but it’s on my queue to do
Can you use it on brass and copper?
@geektoolkit
Жыл бұрын
I haven't tried it on those. But I imagine it won't be much different than aluminum in that it can't etch metal directly. You can put something on metal and it will mark that or make that permanent (like a black sharpie) I'd guess, but I'm not sure. next laser i test i'll have to add that, its an interesting idea. alos if copper could be marked or etched it may make a circuit board which would be really interesitng...
@luk4art
Жыл бұрын
@@geektoolkit I found that " black metal liquid is best substance for etching " and thank you on reply
youre showing us a metal business card that is etched, and you say at the same time, you cannot etch into metal. ????
@geektoolkit
Жыл бұрын
Yeah it's confusing, but there's two things that you'll commonly see diode lasers do to 'mark' metal (but not etch). If it's stainless steel or a similar 'coated' metal the coating will get etched away. The coating itself isn't metal per se. The other trick you'll see often is someone will use an ink marker or some other chemical spray and the laser will be able to permanently 'mark' the metal. The difference is important to note...etching means the metal itself is removed, and a laser that can etch metal (such as a fiber laser) will removal metal from what it hits. This is what lasers used to mark guns, knives, coins, etc. are doing. For diode you must put something onto it or etch away a coating. The sellers that claim diodes can etch metal are misrepresenting what the laser is capable of, and it usually results in upset people who are stuck with a laser they thought would etch their knives and such.
@shoppersplace
Жыл бұрын
@@geektoolkit still, you show a card that obviously etched
@geektoolkit
Жыл бұрын
The coating etched. Metal simply can not be etched. The card I bought comes with a coating for diode lasers.
Just researching laser engraving at the minute, could someone tell me if it's possible to laser images on to bright polished copper bar 25mm.
@geektoolkit
11 ай бұрын
Coppers usually hard to engrave. One thing of note is there is a spray called 'cermark' that will let you mark 'black' onto metals (you spray it on and then laser it to make a permanent mark). If you're looking for a black mark on metal, that would be how I'd do it unless you're looking to get like a fiber laser (3k-5k usually)
@JohnTaylor-cd3sb
11 ай бұрын
@@geektoolkit ye thanks not bought one yet but will be getting one when I get back from my trip, Im wanting fine detail as the product I will be selling is going to be fairly high priced, if it warrants a fibre laser then ill get one but from what I've seen I think most of the units I've looked at could do it.