Laser cutters and engravers are incredibly diverse machines, able to accomplish a wide variety of tasks and functions. Most people get so much out of their laser cutters right out of the box they never even think of all the must have laser cutter accessories for a CO2 laser that can add value to their machine and their projects.
Must Have Laser Cutter Accessories
Here are five must have laser cutter accessories that could improve your laser cutting experience on a laser machine like the Muse Series or P-Series CO2 laser cutter and engraver.
1. Focus Lenses
There are a variety of focus lenses available for laser machines, each specializing in a different cutting thickness or level of engraving detail. These must have laser cutter accessories range from lenses for cutting thick materials, such as foam, to pinpoint lenses for cutting details below a 6pt font.
- 1.5” Focus Lens Kit: Capable of engraving much finer details than the other lenses. Great for fine text and detailed engravings.
- 2.0” Focus Lens Kit: This is the standard lens that comes with the machine. They are the most versatile of all the options and are capable of doing a little bit of everything.
- 2.5” Focus Lens Kit: Capable of cutting slightly thicker materials while still being able to engrave some of the details that the 2.0” focus lens can handle.
- 5.0” Focus Lens Kit: Best for cutting thick, soft materials such as foam.
When it comes to must have laser accessories, a different focus lens can open up a whole new world of creative possibilities with all of the different materials that you are able to cut and engrave on your CO2 laser.
2. Rotary
A rotary attachment is a must have laser cutter accessory opening up whole new shapes of material to laser engrave upon. A rotary adds the ability to work with curved objects to the repertoire. Items such as bottles, glasses, rolling pins and more become viable options for laser engraving. The rotary attaches to the “y-drive” of the laser cutter and informs the software to turn the rotary for perfect engraving.
Laser glass etching and tumbler etching are some of the most common uses for this. They work great as gifts, or promotional materials for your new business.
3. Riser
Risers are another must-have laser cutter accessory. They are just what they sound like: creating additional height for the laser machine to be able to work with taller materials. Risers go great with rotaries because engraving things like bottles and glasses require more space in the work bed. Some CO2 lasers like the PS20 have additional Z-height built into the work area so a riser is not needed. However others like the Muse Core laser cutter and engraver do require it.
The newest versions of the Risers come with the passthrough built into the front and the back. This will allow you to engrave and cut much longer materials that wouldn’t fit within the standard 20"x12" desktop laser machine workspace. These are only needed on the Muse Core and Muse 3D, as the P-Series and the Titan already come with them built in. A 5” focus lens will be required to use the pass through on the Muse Core and Muse 3D.
4. Fume Extractor
Fume extractors are great for locations with workshops that don’t have easy access to an outside window or a built-in exhaust port. Fume extractors use a HEPA filter system to trap fumes and particles. If you are setting up a laser cutter and engraver in an office without outside access, then a fume extractor is a must have laser cutter accessory.
There is also a particle pre-filter available that is installed on the ducting between your laser engraver and cutter and the fume extractor. This is a very handy tool that will catch all the heavier dust and smoke particles before they reach your fume extractor. Using this along with your fume extractor will extend the lifespan of your filter sets.
5. Water Chiller
All CO2 laser tubes need to be cooled during operation. This can be as simple as a water pump system, however the cooler the water, the better. Water chillers maintain a constant water temperature adding to the life of your laser tube, making it a must have laser cutter accessory.
As an example, the standard radiator water chiller (AKA CW-3000) uses a radiator and fan system that the water passes through to cool down. This is just a larger version of what is installed in the Muse Coolbox.
If you need even more cooling, then something like the refrigerated water chiller is the best option (aka CW-5000). The water passes through the refrigerated water chiller and cools it down via a series of tubes that are cooled with refrigerant. This is the ideal option if you are going to use your laser cutter and engraver for extended periods of time in hotter and more humid climates such as inside a garage without climate control, or a workshop/shed setup.
Laser cutters and engravers are amazing tools with some amazing accessories. Be sure you get the right must have laser cutter accessories for your machine and your needs so you can get the most out of your laser system and maximize your creativity.
If you have any questions, or if you need further clarification, just reach out to us at Full Spectrum Laser any time. We want to make sure you get the most out of your laser and its accessories. Feel free to contact our team at Full Spectrum Laser for any questions or assistance.