3018 Pro Desktop CNC Router & 20W Laser Engraver - 2-in-1 DIY Kit (5.5W Optical Power)

Specifications

• Working Area (X x Y x Z): 300mm x 180mm x 45mm

• Machine Footprint: 420mm (W) x 355mm (D) x 280mm (H)

• Spindle Motor: 775 DC Motor with ER11 Collet

• Laser Module: 20W Electrical Output Power / 5.5W True Optical Power (450nm)

• Stepper Motors: 3x NEMA 17

• Control Board: GRBL V1.1 Compatible (w/ Acrylic Case and Cooling Fan)

• Software Support: LaserGRBL, LightBurn, Candle, UGS

Key Applications and Projects

• Laser-Cut Models & Crafts: Using the 5.5W optical laser to precision-cut interlocking plywood parts for scale models, custom boxes, and mechanical toys.

• Custom PCB Manufacturing: Swapping to the spindle to carve electrical isolation paths on blank copper boards for custom robotics projects.

• Personalized Signage: Deeply carving 2.5D wooden signs and names into MDF or hardwoods using the 775 rotary spindle.

Unlock New Capabilities (Project Evolution)

• The Standalone Workshop Upgrade: Generating sawdust and laser fumes near your expensive laptop is risky. While an Offline Controller is not included in this base kit, the control board has a dedicated port specifically built for it. By purchasing the offline controller module separately, you can save your CAD/CAM files onto an SD card, plug it directly into the CNC board, and let the machine run autonomously in your garage while your laptop stays clean and safe in the house!

Package Includes:

• 1 x 3018 Pro Frame Kit (Aluminium extrusions, bakelite plates, hardware, lead screws)

• 1 x 20W Laser Module (5.5W Optical Power)

• 1 x 775 Spindle Motor with ER11 Collet * 1 x Pair of Green Laser Safety Goggles

• 1 x Upgraded GRBL Control Board (with Fan and Acrylic Case)

• 3 x NEMA 17 Stepper Motors * 1 x 24V DC Power Supply & USB Cable

• 4 x Bed Hold-Down Clamps & 10 x V-Shape Engraving Bits * (Note: This is an unassembled kit. The Offline Controller module is NOT included).

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQ)

1. Is the Offline Controller included in this box? No. The offline controller is not included. The GRBL board has the 8-pin port to support it, but the actual handheld controller module must be purchased separately.

2. What is the difference between 20W and 5.5W on the laser? As printed on the laser module, it draws roughly 20W of electrical power to operate, but it produces 5.5W of true optical cutting power. This is standard terminology for high-end diode lasers.

3. Are both the spindle and the laser included? Yes! This is a complete 2-in-1 kit. You receive the rotary spindle motor and the laser module.

4. Is the machine fully assembled out of the box? No. This is a Do-It-Yourself (DIY) unassembled kit. You must bolt the frame together, attach the motors, and run the wiring.

5. Can the 5.5W optical laser cut metal? No. While 5.5W of optical power is very strong for a diode, it cannot cut through steel, copper, or brass. It can engrave painted, coated, or anodized metals, but cutting bare metal requires an industrial fiber laser.

6. Can the laser cut clear acrylic or glass? No. The 450nm blue light beam passes right through clear materials. You must use dark, opaque acrylics if you want the laser to absorb the heat and cut it.

7. 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.

8. Do I absolutely need to wear the green glasses? YES. A 5.5W optical laser is extremely dangerous. Even a scattered reflection of the beam can cause permanent eye damage or instant blindness. Always wear the included goggles when the laser is powered.

9. Will the 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.

10. 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 PWM laser port on the GRBL board.

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

12. 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).

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

14. 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.

15. What is the total footprint on my desk? The machine frame takes up an area of 420mm wide by 355mm deep, with a height of 280mm.

16. How long does it take to assemble the kit? With the detailed manual and logical parts grouping, most users can complete the mechanical build and wiring in about 2 to 3 hours.

17. What are the clear plates on the control board? That is a protective acrylic shell. It protects the delicate electronics from metal shavings and conductive dust while allowing the fan to pull heat away from the chips.

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. Can I attach limit switches to the frame? Yes, the highly upgraded GRBL control board has dedicated headers at the bottom to easily wire in X, Y, and Z limit switches if you mount them.

20. Can I add an emergency stop button? Yes, the board features a dedicated "E-STOP" header at the top left. You can easily wire a big red mushroom button into this port to instantly kill power to the machine if something goes wrong.