The Elegoo Phecda isn’t just the primary laser engraver I reviewed but additionally the primary of its variety I acquired to check. I’ve examined many 3D printers with the same building (mechanical design). Nonetheless, as an alternative of an extruder that melts filaments, the Phecda has a strong laser unit that may engrave and reduce varied supplies.
Laser engraver machines are used to etch designs, logos, or textual content into varied supplies reminiscent of wooden, steel, glass, leather-based, and plastic. Utilizing a concentrated mild beam, the laser successfully removes or cuts materials, creating intricate, detailed, and infrequently everlasting markings. The upper the facility of the laser, the thicker and more durable supplies will be processed.
Who’re engraving machines for?
[Hobbyists and DIY Enthusiasts] This 20W laser engraver and cutter is right for many who get pleasure from making customized gadgets, reminiscent of customized indicators, jewellery, or items. It’s additionally excellent for DIY-ers seeking to increase their crafting capabilities.
[Small Businesses] For artisans or small enterprise house owners who produce custom-made merchandise, a 20W laser engraver can present skilled outcomes at an inexpensive worth, whether or not for engraving logos, creating customized packaging, or crafting distinctive items.
[Inventors and Designers] In case you get pleasure from prototyping or making detailed, inventive creations in small batches, this laser engraver will be a useful addition to your workshop.
Elegoo Phecda 20W PRO laser engraver assessment
Disclosure: I acquired this laser engraver in a product assessment collaboration with Eleg∞. Product specs and high quality could differ in accordance with the producer’s reliability, so I can not assure that you’ll get merchandise that carry out the identical as in my article.
Muriel from Elegoo despatched me the 20W Phecda in “Package deal 2” (probably the most complete combo). Contained in the field, every thing is clear, effectively organized, and guarded with a consumer guide and security suggestions at a look.
The packaging has two CNC-cut foam layers. The highest one consists of all of the components required to assemble the laser engraving machine, together with the facility adapter, three units of risers, a filter holder, six filter cartridges, and an air help pump. The underside consists of the rotary attachment, honeycomb panel, and dealing mat. The package accommodates additionally some take a look at supplies (plywood, leather-based, and steel).
A USB card reader with a micro SD card that features an meeting tutorial, consumer guide, and take a look at recordsdata can also be included. If wanted, these recordsdata and firmware upgrades will be downloaded from right here.
Is it troublesome or to not assemble this laser engraver?
The machine comes totally disassembled to maintain the bundle as small as doable for cost-effective delivery, not like Elegoo 3D printers, which require solely partial meeting. Thus, you will be able to work in half-hour.
Some Phecda reviewer says that assembling the machine is sophisticated and requires two individuals and some hours. Following the included consumer guide and assembling instruction video beneath, I put it collectively in about 2 hours. All of the instruments required have been included, and the screw luggage have been labeled with the scale — I’ve to provide an enormous shoutout to the crew at Elegoo for this!
I needed to admit that I wanted to assessment some steps twice or thrice at some factors, however a lot of the course of was easy.
First, it is advisable assemble the 4 body sides utilizing two 4x6mm screws in every nook, then mount the X-axis gantry. The 20W laser head is hooked up via a quick-release mount for fast peak adjustment.
Once I tried to put in the steel shaft of the X-axis motor, I encountered some issues putting in the timing belt on the synchronous wheel, because it acquired a bit tangled. Right here, I ought to point out that the steel rod is put in proper over the uncovered digital components—most likely within the worst place. The rod could cause some nasty brief circuits if the motor coupling fails.
Lastly, it is advisable connect the protecting orange plexiglass panels. The entrance one is hooked up via neodymium magnets for straightforward elimination.
When totally assembled, the Elegoo Phecda measures 673×660×190mm, which is kind of large. Weighing round 7kg, it may be simply manipulated by one particular person. Initially, I wished to put in it on the IKEA desk (60x60cm) I bought for my Neptune 4 Max 3D printer, but it surely was too small, so I had to make use of a 70x80cm picket board. In case you intend to make the most of the rotary attachment or to course of thicker supplies, you have to extra rising ft—you may stack many if wanted.
Elegoo Phecda Professional: The 20W Laser head
As talked about, the ‘Professional’ version of the Phecda engraver comes with a 20W laser head, which prices $249.99. The laser diode has a spot dimension of 0.07×0.13mm and a wavelength of 455±5nm.
It options two cooling followers, which may rapidly dissipate warmth and successfully lengthen the service lifetime of the laser engraving head. In keeping with the fabric’s thickness, you wish to reduce or engrave, the peak will be adjusted between 0 and 75mm. It has a built-in foldable limiter to regulate the specified peak exactly.
The LY45B20W-ZNP-T01 laser head comes with built-in cable and air tube administration.
Elegoo Phecda: Controls and connectors
The precise nook of the Phecda laser engraver has a DC energy socket, USB Sort-B port, and micro SD slot. The WiFi antenna can also be on the proper aspect however hidden beneath. The machine is powered by an exterior 24V/4A (90W) AC/DC energy adapter.
The Phecda is managed via a 50x70mm touchscreen LCD. The consumer interface is easy, and it has solely 4 icons (buttons):
Adjustment: Energy adjustment of the take a look at beam (0.5%|1%|10%);
Management: Set the origin level by adjusting the X/Y axis;
Carving: Engrave from micro SD card;
Instrument: Important configuration (Data|Wifi|Language|Fireplace|Tilt).
Cellular APP
Cellular apps and IoT have remodeled how customers work together with varied machines. The Phecda APP is designed to make the engraving course of extra user-friendly and handy, permitting customers to create, edit, and management it instantly from their smartphones or tablets.
The app has a preloaded library of 9 fashions and a creation interface the place you may make your designs by hand drawing or loading an image. Shade images will be transformed in 4 methods: Robust, Grey, Sketch, and Dither. Every mode’s brightness and distinction will be freely custom-made.
There are 9 preset pace/energy settings, relying on the fabric you wish to reduce or engrave: steel enterprise playing cards, Chrome steel, Basswood, Willow, Bamboo, Fiberboard, kraft paper, and Nylon material.
Within the preparation course of, earlier than sending the job to the machine, you may choose the scale and beginning place of the mannequin.
If you wish to take this passion extra critically, I like to recommend you attempt desktop functions reminiscent of LaserBurn, which permit far more advanced drawings. The machine config (profile) and materials library for 20W Phecda can be found right here.
Exterior equipment: Air Help and Rotary module
The air help is a pump that injects high-pressure air onto the fabric in the course of the laser engraving course of to attenuate and disperse warmth across the laser head, attaining a greater laser engraving outcome. It additionally helps to take away particles whereas avoiding burning your product. The pumped air strain will be adjusted from the management dial discovered on the facility cable. At its highest degree, the air help is kind of noisy, though it has some suction cups to scale back vibrations on the backside.
The rotary attachment measures 208x188x46.5mm and is related on to the Phecda’s primary board. The unit permits engraving a variety of cylindrical objects reminiscent of glasses and water bottles — it helps a width ranging as much as 70mm (manually adjustable). It contains a high-speed motor that synchronously controls the rotation of the thing. This exact management ensures that the sample or design engraved on the curved floor is error-free and precisely aligned.
Pricing, availability, and choices
The Phecda laser engraver’s 10W and 20W variations will be ordered from Elegoo’s official retailer or their Amazon retailer. The 10W version has a beginning worth of $250 (€209.99) for the fundamental package, and the 20W is $450 (€379,99). Along with the fundamental kits, there are two combo packs. “Package deal 1” consists of 5 additional filter cartridges, and “Package deal 2” consists of a rotary attachment, honeycomb working panel, two units of additional risers, and 5 extra filter cartridges.
I like to recommend buying the devoted enclosure in a bundle with the engraving machine. For $132.99, this protects the unit from mud when it’s unused (saved) and prevents air contamination within the room because of its exhaust system.
Key options
[High Precision Engraving & Cutting] The PHECDA laser engraver and cutter affords an output energy of 20W and a focal spot of 0.07mmx0.13mm, permitting you to create extremely nice particulars in engraving or chopping jobs at a pace of as much as 25000mm/min. The machine can deal with quite a lot of supplies, together with as much as 14mm basswood boards.
[400x400mm Working area] The laser engraving machine has a big engraving space of 400x400mm (15.75×15.75″) to satisfy each day DIY wants and is ideal for processing massive artwork initiatives. The optionally available rotary attachment permits engraving on cylindrical surfaces.
[Efficient Filtration System] The machine’s smoke exhaust filter and two cooling followers on the laser head successfully filter, and exhaust fumes and dirt generated throughout engraving. After engraving, the followers work for yet another minute to lengthen fan service life, cut back noise, and save energy. The filter cartridge has a removable cowl for straightforward filter elimination and substitute.
[Stable and Quiet Operation] The machine body is constructed with aluminum alloy for sturdiness and stability, particularly when working at excessive speeds. The high-quality silent driver motor reduces vibration and operating noise. The aerospace-grade POM V-wheels are ultra-quiet, high-precision, and wear-resistant, whereas the 2 rows of three + 3 V-wheels of the Y axis, mixed with the V-groove slide rail and high-tension synchronous belt, guarantee secure, quiet, and exact motion of the laser module.
[Safety first!] Engraving and chopping with laser entails excessive temperatures, producing poisonous fumes and even spontaneous combustion of the work materials. The PHECDA is supplied with security sensors reminiscent of flame and tilt detection, and it has an energetic smoke filtration system. Because the laser’s vibrant mild will be harmful for the human eye, a security glass is included within the bundle.
Elegoo Phecda laser engraver: Person expertise
As I discussed above, assembling the machine was easy, requiring no superior information within the area or refined instruments.
Utilizing the machine is simply as easy, however I encountered some issues at first. My first engraving was only a straight line. After inspecting the machine, I found that the X-axis belt had fallen off the gear. When adjusting the peak of the laser head, watch out to not contact the transmission belt, as it may simply fall from the hook.
Regardless of deciding on a pre-defined energy and pace setting, you need to make a couple of take a look at engravings to calibrate the settings in accordance with the used materials to acquire the specified outcomes. You possibly can run engraving/chopping jobs instantly from a micro SD card, cell app through WIFI connection, or desktop app through USB cable.
Even with the open window, the room had a moderately robust burning scent after I reduce or engraved wooden. The air filter does its job however doesn’t present 100% clear air. These machines ought to solely be operated in non-living areas, reminiscent of a storage or workshop.
The 20W laser head affords surprisingly good pace, and 5x5cm engraved logos will be made in a couple of minutes. The 400x400mm (15.75×15.75″) work space permits the creation of enormous artworks.
My solely drawback with the design/building of the Phecda is that the air help unit and rotary module usually are not built-in by some means into the body, making the machine extra compact and straightforward to govern.
Materials compatibility desk, energy settings, and comparability between 10W and 20W
As anticipated, the 20W model permits sooner engraving pace and cuts from the primary with out repeating the cycle a number of occasions. Reducing steel requires a a lot higher-power laser, reminiscent of a CO2 laser, with an influence output of at the least 500W or extra, relying on the kind and thickness of the steel being reduce.
Materials
Operation
10W
20W
Velocity (mm/min)
Instances
Energy
Velocity (mm/min)
Instances
Energy
Basswood Board(3mm)
Reducing
180
1
55%
300
1
55%
Engraving
12000
1
95%
12000
1
65%
MDF (3mm)
Reducing
180
3
60%
300
1
100%
Engraving
12000
1
80%
12000
1
55%
Bamboo (5mm)
Reducing
300
5
100%
180
1
90%
Engraving
6000
1
65%
12000
1
70%
Kraft Paper (150g)
Reducing
1800
1
50%
1800
1
30%
Engraving
12000
1
40%
12000
1
40%
Stainless Metal
Reducing
/
/
/
/
/
/
Engraving
2000
1
100%
2000
1
50%
Steel BC
Reducing
/
/
/
/
/
/
Engraving
6000
1
40%
6000
1
25%
⚠️🚨Security suggestions 🚨⚠️
Utilizing passion laser engravers will be thrilling, however security ought to all the time be the highest precedence. Listed here are my private security suggestions for working the Elegoo Phecda or different passion laser engravers:
[Follow Manufacturer’s Instructions] At all times comply with the producer’s tips for working and sustaining the laser engraver machine. By following their security suggestions, you may cut back the dangers related to passion laser engraving and luxuriate in your initiatives safely and effectively.
[Wear Proper Eye Protection] Laser engravers emit high-powered mild that may injury your eyes. At all times put on acceptable laser security goggles rated on your laser’s particular wavelength.
[Ensure Adequate Ventilation] Laser engraving usually releases fumes or particles, particularly when chopping wooden, acrylic, or plastic. Guarantee your workspace is well-ventilated, or use a fume extractor to keep away from inhaling dangerous fumes.
[Avoid Processing Flammable Materials]Some supplies can catch hearth or launch poisonous fumes when uncovered to laser beams. Keep away from utilizing PVC, vinyl, or another extremely flammable supplies. At all times examine if the fabric is protected for laser chopping or engraving.
[Never leave the machine unattended] Monitor the laser engraver whereas working whereas in use. Fires can happen unexpectedly, so staying vigilant all through the method is crucial. Having a fireplace extinguisher inside attain is very advisable in case of emergencies.
[Regular Maintenance and Inspection] Test the machine’s parts usually for put on and tear, particularly the laser lens and air flow system. Hold the machine clear and freed from particles obstructing airflow or damaging the laser.
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