Atomstack Maker A5 V2: A laser engraving machine suitable for beginners

In the recent DIY field, innovative and increasingly affordable laser engraving machines have emerged, mainly designed for first-time users in this field. A particularly noteworthy example in this regard is the Atomstack Maker A5 V2 model. This device is known for its versatility and ease of use, making it an ideal choice for beginners in the world of laser engraving.

The Atomstack Maker A5 V2 is a laser engraving machine equipped with a 6W module, capable of achieving a processing speed of 24000 millimeters per minute in an area of 40 x 40 centimeters. This device has high precision and a resolution of 0.05 x 0.05 millimeters. This feature makes it particularly effective in cutting materials, such as wood with a thickness of 10 millimeters and black acrylic with a thickness of 12 millimeters. In addition, the Atomstack Maker A5 V2 can carve on harder surfaces and runs 40% faster than regular carving programs.

From a structural perspective, the engraving machine is known for its extremely stable structure, supported by tracked guide rails, ensuring maximum accuracy of movement during use. The compatibility with software such as LaserGRBL and Lightburn has enhanced its functionality, allowing for the use of various file formats, including NC, BMP, JPG, PNG, DXF, and more. The existence of Wi Fi connectivity also provides convenience for controlling devices directly from smartphones, thereby promoting cutting and carving operations.

The Atomstack A5 V2 is known for its clear and easy to understand assembly instructions. This manual gradually guides users and simplifies assembly. Each component and tool you need is included in the kit, and screws and parts are carefully classified and labeled according to the steps in the manual. This type of organization greatly facilitates assembly and can be completed in less than 30 minutes.

The Atomstack A5 is a multifunctional laser engraving machine that can carve and cut various materials.
For engraving, it is suitable for processing on wood, leather, cotton, rubber, paper, fruit, foam, acrylic and black anodized aluminum. This series of materials makes it an excellent tool for creative and design projects.

For cutting, lasers can effectively process materials such as wood, paper, tape, fabrics, acrylic, and cardboard. It can cut paper and tape in one go, while thicker materials such as cardboard or wood require multiple cuts. Wood, especially poplar plywood, is soft and therefore very suitable for laser cutting, which can effectively cut.

We have conducted extensive testing on carving machines using various materials to evaluate their carving and cutting capabilities. The results of these tests will be introduced in subsequent chapters, where you can gain a detailed understanding of the machine's performance on each material. These results demonstrate its versatility and suitability for a wide range of applications.

The Atomstack Maker A5 V2 is compatible with various laser engraving software, each of which supports various file formats and provides unique features.

The free LaserGRBL software is a functional initial choice, although it may be a bit cumbersome to use. It is useful for certain tests, but I prefer to choose Lightburn, which is a more advanced and user-friendly software. Lightburn is not free, but the license only costs $40. It also offers a fully functional one month free trial, allowing you to evaluate whether the investment is worth it. For me, this is a cost-effective investment as it greatly reduces working hours.
With LaserGRBL, you can import vector files and bitmap image files. On the other hand, Lightburn supports more formats: vector formats are artificial intelligence, SVG, DXF, PDF, HPGL, PLT, and RD, and image formats are PNG, JPEG, BMP, TIFF, TGA, and GIF.

Vector formats are more suitable for use with these machines because they contain paths along the edges of the shape, along which the laser head moves. The speed of carving vector files is faster because the laser moves directly along the path, which is different from the scanning of points created by the printer when carving bitmap images.
There are millions of free vector drawings available on the internet, and you can use free vector drawing programs such as Inkscape or QCAD. In addition, you can import a large number of vector designs and images from free vector websites, or purchase high-quality laser designs on websites such as Etsy, greatly expanding the functionality of the machine.

Source: Laser Net