The AnyLaser X1 Desktop Engraver Aims to Prove That "Anyone Can Have a Laser"
380mW blue-violet or red diode options can handle many materials, its creators say, but not metal.
Hong Kong-based laser startup AnyLaser believes "anyone can have a laser" — and has launched what it claims is the world's most compact laser engraver, the AnyLaser X1, into crowdfunding to prove it.
"AnyLaser X1 is the world’s [most] compact desktop laser engraver, designed for everyday creativity. Our goal is simple: lower the barrier to laser making so hobbyists, craft lovers, and DIY beginners can all enjoy a compact, reliable, and affordable creative tool," says AnyLaser's Shaochun He. "X1 focuses on what truly matters. With [a] blue-violet diode laser, it's tuned for real-world light engraving needs. From 3D prints, plastics, acrylic to solid wood and cardstock, X1 delivers clean, detailed results on the materials people actually use."
Distinct from a laser cutter, laser engravers use lower-powered lasers to etch surfaces under computer control. In the case of the AnyLaser X1, the device includes the buyer's choice of low-power 380mW blue-violet (405nm) or red (650nm) laser diodes — the former offering the best performance, and the latter available at a lower cost. Both, though, are built with etching of common craft materials in mind, and won't stretch to working with hardware materials like metal.
"Since we designed X1 to be compact, its power is naturally limited by its size," He admits. "It works well on a wide range of softer materials — basically anything that isn't too hard. This includes plastics, 3D-printed parts, solid wood, glass (with laser marking paper), acrylic, leather, and more. Metal is a bit of a stretch for this model, so it's not supported. That said, we're actively working on a mini higher-power laser module, which we plan to release in the future — and we’ll make sure existing users get a fair upgrade offer when that happens."
Powered over USB Power Delivery (PD), the laser engraver includes an integrated fan — with the company investigating the possibility of adding a filter layer — and a low-power visual preview mode designed for ease of use. It supports control via LightBurn and LaserGRBL along with "any GRBL-based apps," He promises, though doesn't include automatic focus; instead, focus is handled manually with a twist of a knob.
The AnyLaser X1 is now funding on Kickstarter, with hardware starting at $99 — a claimed discount from a planned $150 retail price — for "super early bird" backers. All hardware is expected to begin shipping in July this year, AnyLaser says, but as with all crowdfunding campaigns fulfillment is by no means guaranteed.