3018 Pro Desktop CNC Router & 15W Laser Engraver - High Power 2-in-1 DIY Kit

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQ)

1. Is the Offline Controller included in this box? No. As explicitly stated, the offline controller is not included. The GRBL board fully supports it, but the controller module must be purchased separately.

2. What does 15W Output Power mean? This refers to the output power rating of the laser module provided by the manufacturer. It signifies a high-power module capable of faster engraving and deeper cutting than standard entry-level 2.5W or 5.5W modules.

3. What is the difference between this and the 5.5W version? The 15W laser module is significantly more powerful. It can cut thicker wood, slice much faster, and engrave harder materials like slate or anodized aluminum with much better contrast.

4. Are both the spindle and the 15W laser included? Yes! You receive the complete 3018 CNC mechanical kit, the 775 rotary spindle, and the 15W laser module.

5. Is the machine fully assembled? No, this is an unassembled DIY kit. You must bolt the frame together, attach the motors, and run the wiring.

6. Can the 15W laser cut metal? No. While 15W is incredibly strong for a diode, it cannot cut through steel, copper, or brass. It can deeply engrave painted or anodized metals, but cutting bare metal requires an industrial fiber laser.

7. Can the 15W laser cut clear acrylic or glass? No. The 450nm blue light beam will pass harmlessly straight through perfectly clear materials. You must use dark, opaque acrylics if you want to cut them.

8. Can the 775 spindle mill metal? It is not designed for hard metals. With very slow, shallow passes, it can lightly engrave soft brass or aluminum, but it is primarily meant for wood, plastic, and PCBs.

9. Do I absolutely need to wear the green glasses? YES. A 15W laser is extremely dangerous. Even looking at the scattered reflection of the beam on a piece of wood can cause permanent eye damage or blindness. Always wear the included goggles when the laser has power.

10. Will the 15W laser burn my desk? Yes! If the laser cuts completely through your workpiece, it will instantly burn the aluminum bed or your desk underneath. You must place a "spoilboard" (like a thick piece of scrap MDF) or a steel honeycomb bed under your materials.

11. How do I switch from the spindle to the laser? You loosen the clamp on the Z-axis carriage, slide the 775 spindle out, slide the laser block in, and plug the laser's 3-pin cable into the red laser port on the GRBL board.

12. What software is recommended for the 15W laser? We highly recommend "LightBurn" (paid) or "LaserGRBL" (free) to generate your laser paths and control the module.

13. What software is recommended for the CNC spindle? Use CAD/CAM software like Fusion 360, Easel, or Vectric to create the toolpaths, and send them to the machine using Candle or Universal Gcode Sender (UGS).

14. Is this machine compatible with MacOS? Yes. Software like LightBurn, UGS, and Easel run perfectly on Mac computers.

15. What is the maximum working area? The tool can travel up to 300mm on the X-axis, 180mm on the Y-axis, and 45mm on the Z-axis.

16. How long does it take to assemble the kit? With the improved bakelite frame design, most users can complete the mechanical build and wiring in about 2 to 3 hours.

17. What are the 10 small bits included for? They are 3.175mm (1/8") V-shape engraving bits. They are used in the spindle for carving fine details into wood or for cutting isolation paths on custom PCBs.

18. How do I secure wood to the table for routing? Use the four included metal hold-down clamps. Slide the bolts into the T-slots on the aluminum build plate and tighten the wingnuts over the edge of your material.

19. What is the port for the offline controller? There is a white, 8-pin header on the GRBL control board. You simply plug the ribbon cable from the offline controller (if you buy one) directly into this port.

20. Why does my laser seem weak? If a 15W laser is not cutting well, the two most common issues are: 1) The laser is not focused correctly (you must twist the lens or adjust the Z-height until the dot is pin-prick small), or 2) Your software is not sending a 100% power (S1000) command.