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<\/a>This is a preview of the Dual Pro’s 3D printing capabilities. It’s a pity I can’t finish that portion of the review for now.<\/p><\/div>\n
Anyway, after my prior first look<\/a>, unboxing<\/a>, initial setup<\/a>, and extended review of basic 3D printing<\/a> of the remarkably versatile ZMorph 2.0 SX Full Set, I’m now ready to tackle a review of the laser toolhead<\/a> option, which allows not only for engraving various materials like wood, leather, and plexiglass, but also for cutting various materials like PVA foil, paper, and cardboard.<\/p>\n To start, I followed these instructions<\/a> in the Knowledge Base. Note that I had trouble removing the toolheads unless, based on the suggestion from tech support, that I also loosen the screw above the screw with the butterfly nut that needs to be removed. Once that was loosened, the toolheads came right out.<\/p>\n Per the instructions, I installed the laser toolhead, although I wasn’t quite sure where to put the breakout box (for now, I have it on the top of the unit). I also installed the included plywood table in place of the glass printing bed for extra safety (no chance of laser reflections for one). That was easy thanks to the magnet-based system.<\/p>\n The laser toolhead and plywood table installed.<\/p><\/div>\n With installation out of the way, I proceeded to place the material I wanted to engrave, which for the first test, was a piece of cardboard. Instead of using double-sided tape, I decided to use some Blu-Tack<\/a> to secure the cardboard to the plywood table. I decided to try the built-in Burn Calibration Pattern test after doing the ominous sounding “arm laser.”<\/p>\n (By the way, don’t forget to review the safety<\/a> and materials<\/a> guidelines!)<\/p>\n As is par for the course at this point, I forgot a few things and the Knowledge Base didn’t necessarily make it clear. First off, I forgot to attach the front and rear fans to the laser toolhead, although I’m not sure they’re necessarily needed (or even used). Second, the piece of cardboard I used was both too small for that test and too thin, which scorched some of the plywood table. I addressed both issues.<\/p>\n Calibration appeared successful.<\/p><\/div>\n One thing I’ll note is that this laser engraving\/cutting process creates really smelly fumes, so definitely have some fans and good ventilation.<\/p>\n For the first real test print, I flipped my cardboard over and ran the laser_placing.gcode<\/strong> file that’s built into the printer. That created a pattern similar to what’s on the plywood table.<\/p>\n Result of running the laser placing gcode.<\/p><\/div>\n The next print was ZMorph_engraving.gcode<\/strong>, which was the one other file built into the printer. I just let it engrave over the laser placing pattern.<\/p>\n Result of running the ZMorph engraving gcode.<\/p><\/div>\n Now it’s time to move onto using the Voxelizer software.<\/p>\n There are two laser workflow options in Voxelizer that I’m aware of, and that’s image etching and laser cutting. First, I wanted to try image etching. The tutorial here<\/a> was my guide, although I used my own image and material.<\/p>\n The image and settings for the block of wood I used. We recently replaced our fence, and this was some leftover material.<\/p><\/div>\nGetting Started<\/h1>\n
<\/a><\/a>Initial Test Runs<\/h1>\n
<\/a><\/a>Voxelizer Runs<\/h1>\n
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