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A Large-Format Laser Cutter with a Compact Form Factor
Ride the rails
In all workshops, subtractive tools come in one of two flavors: Bring the tool to the workpiece (e.g. a router), or bring the workpiece to the tool (e.g. a shaper). But Chinese manufacturer Tyvok has created a sort of hybrid with the Spider X1S. It's a large-format laser cutter with a compact form factor.
It consists of a laser cutter head (both 10W and 20W units are available) that rides on a gantry supported by blocks on either end. These blocks have wheels on them, that can either ride on rails or on the worksurface itself. By choosing the length of the gantry and rails, the idea is that you can achieve the following:
With a scheme like this, the devil is in the UX details; in practice, how easy or difficult is it to set up and index the system? If used without the rails, how perfect does your worksurface need to be in order for the wheels to track properly? While there are a rash of product reviews on YouTube, it appears the company has simply seeded influencers with free units, so I'd take those with a grain of salt. But the thinking behind the tool is clever.
Pricing starts at $580.
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Comments
I am an X1S user and I enjoy the cutting and engraving fun brought by the large format. I have been using it for about half a year. I usually use this machine to engrave billboards and make overlays. The frame accuracy of the Spider X1S machine is still excellent in large-format cutting. I DIYed an acrylic cover for indoor smoke, and the smoke can be discharged to the outside. In addition, the machine has a variety of formats and is very playable. I have now modified the format of 800*2000mm, and I want to continue to expand to 1200*2500mm in the future. However, I heard that Tyvok has already released a larger format machine with a size of 1300*2500. If I can afford it, I will consider it.
This is basically illegal in the US, and for good reason. Here's more about lasers and why you do not buy ones that don't have any kind of shielding (the danger is where the laser hits the work surface, not the "guard" around the fantasy beam in these renders) like this: https://www.funraniumlabs.com/2017/08/laser-products-hate/
Having used many lasers over the last 20 years, I love the concept but am very concerned. When rapid moving how does it account for the mass of the unit? I would think it would slide all over the place. Even in the track, I can't imagine it will be that accurate. God forbid it got bumped toward the end of a print. Also, what about all the smoke and potentially toxic gas just venting in the open?
Won't someone think of the children??
Agree with Kyle & think finding a stable surface is not as convenient. The head may be fine but the stability of it sliding around or a flawed surface would make the run difficult.