The Ultimate Guide to xTool D1 Pro Laser Cutter and Engraver 2024
xTool D1 Pro Upgraded Laser Engraver
120W Higher Accuracy Laser Engraving Machine
- 120W output power
- Engraving speed up to 24000mm/min
- 340+ Engraving Colors
- Newly upgraded Creative Space software
- TOP Cutting Capability
- THE ULTIMATE GIFT-MAKING MACHINE
If you’re looking for a strong diode laser, look no further than the xTool D1 Pro 20W. The 20w laser is great for cutting and engraving tough materials like wood, leather, and cardboard with up to 340+ colors. A separate module has a 1064nm infrared laser for use in the dark. The Xtool D1 Pro 20W will not let you down!
Today we’ll be reviewing the xTool D1 Pro laser cutter/engraver. We’ll learn about the company, the product’s specs and features, the setup, and the test results. We’ll also look at the manufacturer’s available add-ons to make the experience better.
Introduction: What does the xTool do?
Makeblock is a company with its headquarters in Shenzhen, China. It was started in 2012 by Jasen Wang, who got his master’s degree in aircraft design from Northwestern Polytechnic University in 2010. Makeblock makes laser cutting and engraving machines under the brand name xTool. The CEO of Makeblock liked to build things and became interested in robotics while he was in college. In 2013, the company launched a Kickstarter campaign for a robot kit.
The business launched mBlock, a web-based block-based coding platform for STEAM education, in 2014. Makeblock created a number of robots designed to teach children about technology between 2014 and 2018, and in 2018 they started the MakeX Robot Competition. The Laserbox, the company’s first laser cutter and engraver were made in 2019 to promote STEAM education and encourage kids to be creative. Since then, the xTool brand has come out, and Makeblock has turned its attention to laser-cutting tools. The company’s main goal right now is to come up with new products that make it easier for people to create.
What is the Makeblock xTool D1 Pro?
The Makeblock xTool D1 Pro 20W is xTool’s most powerful laser cutter. It has outstanding mechanics, sophisticated stepper motor drivers, and a strong laser module. This machine has two colors now red and grey. Laser module color and power vary. They have 10w and 20w on site. The 20W variant is suitable for laser engraving or cutting businesses. Its power and speed make it perfect for commercial use, making it ideal for beginners or those running a laser engraving company.
xTool D1 Pro: Pros and cons
Pros
- User-friendly focusing system
- Very good construction
- Material compatibility is broad
- Red positioning crosshair
- A fantastic material bundle is offered
- Wi-Fi integration
- Lightburn-compatible
- Cons
Cons
- There is no way to suspend the processing
- The cost of accessories is high
What’s in the box?
Assembling
The only other tools you’ll need are some scissors or wirecutters to snip a few cable ties, and they are provided with the kit. The assembly instructions are easy to follow, and xTool has also released a video guide on Youtube that shows you how to put everything together. So we won’t go into great length about the assembly process and will only highlight the portions that we think are particularly interesting.
Frame Assembly
The first thing to do is to screw the four pieces of the frame together. Four M4x16 flathead screws are used in each corner of the frame. Using my reliable Starret square, I made sure all four sides of the frame were perfectly square.
Frame-check for proper orientation
The assembly seems to have been designed with simplicity in mind. For example, the red and blue markings on the gantry and belt tensioners show which screws are longer and which are shorter.
Screws on the xTool D1 Pro are color-coded for ease of use. However, I ran into an issue while trying to match the two golden y-axis carriages as instructed in the handbook. The PCB board protrudes ever so slightly on one side, preventing the carriage from being moved forward to its full extent. The resulting space is around 1.5 mm. That’s not a lot, but it’s enough to throw off the alignment of the gantry that’ll be carrying the diode module. Thus, every cut would be at an incorrect angle.
PCB board with y-axis carriages in close-up
The good news is that fixing this issue is easy. The carriages should be slid back all the way instead of being pushed forward (you might have to loosen or tighten the belt tensioners).
The remainder of the assembly proceeded without a hitch. As I painstakingly put everything together, I snapped photographs to remember each step. As a whole, it took me around 1.5 hours. I estimate that you will need half an hour to complete the task at hand if you are not taking any photographs.
Specifications
| Type | xTool D1 Pro-20W | xTool D1 Pro-10W |
| Machine Power | 120W | 60W |
| Laser Electric Power | 84W | 40W |
| Laser Module Output Power | 20W | 10W |
| Laser Spot | 0.08*0.10mm | 0.08*0.06 mm |
| Routing Speed | 400 mm/s | 400 mm/s |
| Working Area | 430 * 390 mm (16.93 * 15.35 inch) | 430*400 mm(16.93*15.75 inch) |
| Max. Workpiece Height | 50 mm (2 inch) | 50 mm (2 inch) |
| Max. Workpiece Height with X risers | 50mm+X*45mm（each set riser height column） | 50mm+X*45mm（each set riser height column） |
| Connecting Interfaces | USB/Wi-Fi/TF Card | USB/Wi-Fi/TF Card |
| Certification | FCC / FDA / CE | FCC / FDA / CE |
| Operating Systems | Windows/macOS | Windows/macOS |
| Control Software | xTool Creative Space / LightBurn | xTool Creative Space / LightBurn |
| File Type(s) | SVG/DXF/JPG/JPEG/PNG/BMP/TIF/CR2, etc. | SVG/DXF/JPG/JPEG/PNG/BMP/TIF/CR2, etc. |
*When it comes to diode lasers, it’s important to remember that some manufacturers will market the laser (input) power rather than the optical output power. As a result, even if you discover a 20-watt laser for 300 EUR/USD, that’s just the input power (how much energy the laser takes in), not the strength of the laser beam itself.
Design and features
1. Simple and Quick Adjustment of the Focus
To change the focus, there are only three steps involved. First things first, make sure the focus lever is all the way down. The focus lever should then be adjusted to the surface of the material by sliding the laser head. In the final step, the laser focus should be recovered after it has been tightened.
2. more effective when cutting through thick materials
To make sure the laser can cut through different materials, you will need to change the height of the laser module based on how thick the materials are. The laser module will be positioned lower as the material thickness increases.
3. Safety Cutoff Switches in Every Direction
The alarm will be triggered by the limit switches if the laser head is about to come into contact with the edge of the machine in any direction.
4. It Is Risk-Free to Use
It is expected that the emergency brake will be set off if flames, smoke, or tilting are found.
5. Innovative approach to the Laser’s shielding design
The structure of the light shield has been changed so that smoke doesn’t get into the laser lenses and less dust builds up inside the shield.
6. Just Connect
You can use D1 Pro whenever and wherever you want by transferring data using Wi-Fi, a USB cable, or a TF card with a large capacity (offline use).
7. Compatible with the engraving software developed for mature users: Lightburn
The software that manages the layout, editing, and control of a common laser cutter. The NC, BMP, JPG, PNG, and DXF file formats can all be used for engraving.
Adobe Illustrator can also be used to create designs or image traces. Either export as a png or dxf **
What is the difference between xTool D1 and D1 pro?
The xTool D1 Pro is an improved version of their earlier model, the xTool D1. They vary in terms of cost, the rate of transmission, the laser module, the amount of work area, the safety features, and the colors.
Material Compatibility
If you get the xTool D1 Pro 20w, you can use up to 340+ materials like paper, cardboard, cork, leather, cloth, wood, acrylic, MDF, and similar materials that may all be engraved or sliced.
The 20W model has a maximum cutting depth of 8 mm in acrylic and 10 mm in basswood when used in a single pass. Stone, pottery, glass, and metal are just a few of the materials that may be engraved. Preparation is required for some of these items, but once you’ve done so, the results are worthwhile. The 10W model may achieve the same results, but more slowly.
On the other hand, if engraving metal is the most important thing, the infrared laser module is the better choice. It comes as part of a combo pack with the D1 Pro, making it ideal for more advanced metal engravers.
Laser Cutter Alternatives
xTool D1 vs D1 Pro
We would suggest choosing the xTool D1 pro over the xTool D1, unless you could snag a cool deal on the D1. The xTool D1 Pro model has a stronger and more powerful laser module, which can engrave more than twice as quickly, and additional features such as limit switches.
Laser Master 3 by Ortur
The new Laser Master 3 from Ortur is a great value despite having less functionality than the xTool D1 Pro. It’s more portable and lightweight than the D1 Pro, plus it comes equipped with a safety lock and an emergency button. The only current diode laser version is a 10W model, so if you need more power than that, the 20W xTool is the way to go. The xTool now has more attachments, which will make it easier to update in the future. Besides that, the two gadgets are almost interchangeable. It can connect to Wi-Fi, engrave quickly, work with air support, and is built well.
xTool d1 pro software
If you own a Makeblock xTool D1 laser engraver, you may use it with the specialized Makeblock Laserbox Basic software, which does the job, allows you to keep the machine’s firmware up-to-date, and is really simple to use for basic tasks, but it’s not as powerful as Lightburn. Instead, I opted for Lightburn since it is more powerful and simpler to learn and use. Unfortunately, the license is $60, so it’s not free. However, if you’re not sure whether the program is worth it to you, you may try it out for free for a whole month. The amount of time it has saved me makes it worthwhile (even though it is not free).
Use this tutorial to get your computer working with Lightburn. Having said that, you should know that it is worthwhile.
Lightburn now works with vector formats like AI, SVG, DXF, PDF, HPGL, PLT, and RD. It also works with bitmap formats like PNG, JPEG, BMP, TIFF, TGA, and GIF.
These devices favor vector formats because they include the routes around the shape edges that the laser head tracks. When engraving vector files, the laser simply cuts along the route; however, when engraving bitmap pictures, the laser first has to scan the image and then make dots (photos).
You may use free vector drawing software like Inkscape or QCAD, or download millions of free vector designs online (for more technical drawings)
There are a lot of free vector sites where you can get designs and photos to import, and you can buy great laser designs from places like Etsy. What you’re able to do is greatly enhanced by this.
The xTool D1 also has WiFi connectivity for remote operation. You can also get an app for your Android or iOS device and use it to run the machine.
Where to buy the xtool d1 pro?
Conclusion: Should You Invest in an xTool D1 Pro?
The xTool D1 Pro is the greatest open-frame laser engraver and cutter. It performs well, is constructed like a tank, and has several useful extras. If you don’t care about price, the D1 Pro with a 20-watt diode laser is the best choice. Diode laser cutter material compatibility is optimum. The 10 watt model is slower and less materially compatible, but $500 cheaper. If you’re on a budget, you can always enhance its machine power.
Despite its top-notch performance, the xTool D1 Pro isn’t for everyone. If you’re a newbie, try the ORTUR Laser Master 2 Pro S2. The D1 Pro’s user interface and GRBL settings are easy. These are minor issues that most people won’t notice. You’ve discovered the most versatile laser engraver available. The xTool D1 Pro can perform more than conventional laser engravers. As your talents and needs change, you may upgrade. You’ll see how strong it is.
Must Know About xTool D1 Pro
Are xTool lasers good?
It engraves and cuts through 5 mm of plywood easily enough, and it can be used on metal with a little bit of preparation. The Xtool is an excellent laser for beginners because it has good power for an LED laser and is in that class. The machine is made of metal rails and rollers, and each part is not only well-made but also perfectly aligned with the others.
How thick of wood can the xTool D1 cut?
What is the thickest possible piece of material that can be cut by this machine? Both the xTool D1-5W and the xTool D1-10W are capable of simultaneously cutting wood boards with a thickness of 6 or 10 millimeters.
Is xTool better than Glowforge?
Compared to Glowforge, Xtool has almost the same level of software flexibility, but it has a smaller working space. If you are looking for a machine that can perform the functions of both a laser cutter and a blade cutter, the Xtool M1 might be the best option for you. On the other hand, Glowforge does not have a facility for cutting blades.
Can xTool D1 cut wood?
The xTool D1 Pro is a diode laser engraving and cutting machine that is suitable for use with a wide variety of materials, including numerous kinds of wood in their various forms. Its powerful and highly focused laser is capable of easily cutting and engraving wood with the highest possible accuracy and precision.
xTool D1 Pro 20W working area?
The large working area of 430 by 390 millimeters (17 by 15.4 inches), which is bigger than the size of A3 paper, lets you engrave multiple patterns at the same time. Simpler to operate and with increased productivity.
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