Review of the xTool M2 Color Craft Laser Engraving Machine
xTool has unveiled its second-generation multi-functional crafting device — the xTool M2 Color Craft Laser Engraver. This product is not a simple iteration of the M1 Ultra, but a complete and thorough redesign. The M2 integrates 10W/20W diode lasers, a CMYK color printhead, a 2W infrared laser, and an optional rotary tool attachment, achieving a comprehensive leap forward in both functionality and design.
Specifically, it throws out the previous model’s cutting blade and pen options. To compensate, it comes with a 10W diode, a 20W diode, CMYK, and a 2W IR laser head, “cut, print, engrave” options. Very worthy improvements, such as positioning and monitoring cameras, come as standard this time around. Furthermore, the print head offers CMYK inks instead of the washed-out CMY of yore, and laser air assist is included as standard. xTool’s new M2 also works with the RA3 Lite full wrap rotary accessory.
The xTool M2 10W base model is available for $599. This entry price makes the M2 about half the price of last year’s M1 Ultra. But this 10W ‘Standalone’ bundle includes just the machine and a 10W diode laser head. You’ll have to part with $699 (usually $749) for the 10W ‘Color Print & Cut Bundle’, which includes the CMYK print head and a cartridge. Moving up to $939 (usually $989) gets you the 10W Deluxe Bundle.
There are also bundles with the 20W diode laser head costing $400 more per tier (Standard, Color Print & Cut, and Deluxe). xTool also sells various print/cut heads separately, and they’re easily magnetically swappable. For example, it lists the M2 CMYK printing module with an ink cartridge for $169, extra cartridges are $99, and the RA3 Lite is $259. We don’t have prices for a 20W diode head (if you wanted to upgrade later), nor the 3W IR laser head that is shown on the promotional pages for the product.
You might prefer the 20W diode laser for faster, deeper cuts. xTool says it raises the max basswood cutting depth from 8mm to 10mm in one pass. For acrylic, it is much better, raising the cutting thickness from 3mm to 8mm in one pass with the 20W diode laser installed.
The default 10W diode laser supplied will be good enough for cutting and engraving plenty of materials for many crafty users. Officially, the following tabulated materials are cuttable, engravable, and printable.
Compatible materials
You will see examples of cutting, engraving, and printing on various materials during our test process below.
As mentioned, the newest Color Craft machine from xTool improves on the older and more expensive model by integrating a pair of positioning and monitoring cameras. There’s also a separate camera for fire hazard monitoring and alerts. Another improvement on the original comes via the integration of air assist for the laser. Fan-powered extraction, with corrugated flexible extendable pipe, is another welcome new standard feature. As with the previous model, we have a laser-safe tinted enclosure lid, which should mean your eyes are adequately protected when the machine runs with the lid closed.
Finally, the newest Color Craft laser from xTool now comes with the excellent xTool Studio software we last used alongside the formidable xTool P3. This is a comprehensive package for laser control and output, as well as for guiding you through wizards, generators, apps, and plenty of projects online. Most projects I completed went easily, from photo and/or illustration and layout to output.
Source: tomshardware
