Laser cutters for SMEs

Why should small businesses consider purchasing a portable, entry-level laser cutter? Industry-leading laser cutter firm xTool explains its entry-level products.

Which entry-level laser cutter model would you recommend for SME printers?

For small and medium-sized enterprise (SME) printers, we offer the following entry-level laser cutter models. The xTool F1, which features a 10W blue diode laser and a 2W infrared laser,  is ideal for mobile use and on-site customisation. SMEs who need high precision will find this suitable for detailed artwork, small text and intricate designs. The speed of up to 4000mm/s makes it perfect for creating personalised gifts, craft shows and intricate metal engravings.

The xTool S1 is a diode laser cutter and engraver with options of 10W, 20W or 40W power. This is suitable for cutting thick materials like wood and leather and is therefore ideal for DIY crafts, personalised gifts, home decor projects, and small business applications.

How can a laser cutter improve the business success of SMEs?

Versatility: Models like the M1 and S1 can handle a wide range of materials (such as wood, acrylic, leather, fabric, paper, and vinyl), making them suitable for various creative projects. This versatility allows small businesses to offer a diverse array of customised products.
Efficient Production: Some models, like the xTool F1 Ultra, have extremely high engraving speeds (up to 10,000mm/s), making them ideal for large-scale production projects that require quick turnaround times.
Precision Processing: The F1 and F1 Ultra provide high-precision engraving, suitable for creating detailed artwork, small text, and complex designs. This is a significant advantage for small businesses that require fine processing.
Portability: The xTool F1 is the most portable option, making it ideal for mobile use or smaller workspaces. This is particularly advantageous for small businesses that participate in trade shows or provide on-site customisation services.
Large Working Area: The P2/P2S offers the largest working area (23.6" x 12"), allowing for the processing of larger materials without the need for repositioning. This is helpful for small businesses that create larger items.
Automated Workflow: The P2/P2S and S1 feature automatic feeding/conveying capabilities, enhancing the efficiency of continuous processing of long materials, which is beneficial for small businesses needing efficient production.
Built-in Camera: The P2/P2S and F1 Ultra come equipped with a built-in camera for precise material placement and engraving area preview, simplifying project setup and reducing errors.
Personalisation Capability: These machines can perform curved engraving, expanding the possibilities for creative projects and personalised items, allowing small businesses to offer unique and customised products.

What are the most interesting/intricate things you have seen you customers produce? Or the highest volumes?

The xTool P2S laser cutter has been used by our customers for a variety of intricate and interesting projects. Some of the most notable ones are as follows:
Customised Gifts and Promotional Items: Customers have created detailed engravings on wood, acrylic, and leather to produce personalised gifts and promotional items.
Model Making and Prototyping: The precision and versatility of the P2S make it ideal for creating complex models and prototypes in various materials.
Home Decor and Creative Projects: Many users have crafted unique home decor items, such as intricate wall art, custom furniture pieces, and decorative signs.

As for production volumes, the xTool P2S is designed to handle high-volume cutting and engraving tasks efficiently. It is commonly used in small businesses and professional studios where continuous production runs are required.

What are the cutting and engraving capabilities?

Some of the materials xTool P2S can cut include:

Wood: pine, oak, maple, birch, walnut, cherry, plywood and basswood.
Acrylic: all colours and all types, including translucent, mirrored, opaque and clear acrylic.
Fabric: cotton, polyester, nylon, silk, linen, polyester and polyamide fabric.
Leather: genuine, synthetic, faux leather.
Others: EVA foam, felt pad, plastic, rubber, paper, cork and cardboard.

However, xTool P2S cannot cut metal or glass, but it can engrave on it.

Metal: coated metal, anodised aluminium alloy, and anodised titanium steel. For stainless steel, you need to spray a coating on it before marking.
Glass: float glass, insulated glass, frosted glass, tinted glass and so on. Please note that glass that is too hard or too thin may lead to break.

If it can be cut, it can generally be engraved.

What is the maximum cutting area and depth?

The maximum cutting area of the P2S is 600×305mm. The maximum cutting depth varies depending on the configuration:
•    With drawer: 64mm
•    Without drawer: 71mm
•    With riser base: 215mm

Can you give examples of its precision, accuracy and speed?

The xTool P2S has a processing precision of up to 0.01mm, which allows for very detailed and precise engraving and cutting tasks. In terms of speed, the maximum engraving speed of the xTool P2S is 600mm/s, enabling it to complete high-volume production tasks quickly. P2S can effortlessly cut through thick materials like 20mm acrylic and 18mm black walnut, along with 100+ other materials in a single pass.

What software does it use and is it compatible with Adobe Illustrator/DRAW etc?

The xTool P2S laser cutter uses xTool Creative Space and Lightburn software. These software options are compatible with various operating systems, including Android, iOS, iPad, Windows, and macOS. Additionally, the P2S supports file formats such as SVG, DXF, JPG, JPEG, PNG, and BMP, making it compatible with files created using Adobe Illustrator and other design software.

What safety features does it have?

The xTool P2S laser cutter includes several safety features to ensure safe operation and maintenance. These features include a more efficient exhaust fan, a powerful built-in air pump, an alignment indicator light, a dust filter, a quick-release exhaust fan design, foolproof reflection mirrors for easier installation, a universal accessory interface, and a USB security key. These enhancements help to maintain the machine’s performance while ensuring user safety.

How energy efficient is a portable cutter?

The US version of the xTool P2S laser cutter has an input power of 100V-120V AC, 60Hz, and consumes 700W of electricity per hour. This means it is relatively energy efficient, consuming approximately 0.7 kilowatt-hours (kWh) per hour of operation. 

The usage time of the P2S is approximately 8,000 to 10,000 hours. However, after that, the machine’s power will decrease, but it can still be used; the only difference is that the cutting speed will slow down.