3018 Pro Desktop CNC Router & 5.5W Laser Engraver - 2-in-1 DIY Kit

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQ)

1. Does this kit include the Offline Controller? No, the Offline Controller is not included in this specific kit. The control board supports it, but you must purchase the offline controller module separately.

2. Does this include both the spindle and the laser? Yes! This is a complete 2-in-1 kit. It includes both the 775 rotary spindle motor and the 5.5W blue laser module.

3. Is the 5.5W rating the optical output power or the electrical input power? This module features a true 5.5W optical output power, making it exceptionally strong for a desktop diode laser.

4. Is the machine fully assembled out of the box? No. This is a Do-It-Yourself (DIY) unassembled kit. You will need to bolt the frame together, attach the motors, and wire the control board yourself.

5. How long does it take to assemble? Thanks to the improved "Pro" design with fewer discrete parts, most users can complete the mechanical and electrical assembly in 2 to 3 hours.

6. What materials can the spindle cut? The 775 spindle is perfect for routing wood (MDF, balsa, hardwoods), plastics, acrylics, and copper-clad PCBs.

7. Can the spindle cut metal? It is not designed for hard metals like steel or iron. With extremely shallow passes and slow feed rates, it can lightly engrave soft brass or aluminum, but it is not a heavy-duty metal mill.

8. What materials can the 5.5W laser engrave/cut? The laser can easily engrave wood, leather, cardboard, dark plastics, and painted metals. It can cut completely through thin balsa wood, dark acrylic, and heavy cardstock.

9. Can the laser cut clear acrylic or glass? No. Diode lasers operate in the visible light spectrum (450nm blue light). The beam will pass harmlessly straight through clear materials like glass or clear acrylic without cutting them.

10. Do I need to wear the green glasses? Absolutely, YES. The kit includes green laser safety goggles. A 5.5W laser can cause instant, permanent blindness if the beam or its reflection hits your eye. You must wear them anytime the laser is powered.

11. How do I switch between the laser and the spindle? Physically, you loosen the clamp holding the spindle, slide it out, and slide the laser module in. Electrically, you unplug the spindle wires and plug the laser's 3-pin cable into the red PWM laser port on the control board.

12. What software do I use for the laser? Most users rely on free software like LaserGRBL, or paid professional software like LightBurn, to generate and send laser G-code.

13. What software do I use for the CNC spindle? You design the part in CAD/CAM software (like Easel, Fusion 360, or Vectric) and use a sender program like Candle or Universal Gcode Sender (UGS) to run the machine.

14. Will this work with an Apple Mac? Yes. While some included software on the thumb drive might be Windows-based, programs like LightBurn, Universal Gcode Sender, and Easel are all fully compatible with MacOS.

15. What is the total footprint of the machine? The physical footprint on your desk will be 420mm wide, 355mm deep, and 280mm tall.

16. What is the actual cutting area? The usable travel distance of the cutting bit/laser is 300mm (X-axis) by 180mm (Y-axis) by 45mm (Z-axis).

17. What are the bits in the blue cases? Those are ten 3.175mm (1/8") shank V-shape engraving bits. They are excellent for carving fine details, text, and milling PCBs. You will need to buy flat end-mills separately for clearing large pockets of material.

18. How do I hold the wood down while cutting? The kit includes four metal hold-down clamps. You slide the bolts into the T-slots on the aluminum bed, position them over the edge of your wood, and tighten the wingnuts.

19. What are the red squares on the control board? Those are A4988 stepper motor driver modules. They interpret the signals from the main processor and drive the X, Y, and Z stepper motors.

20. Do I need a spoilboard? Yes, it is highly recommended. You should always clamp a flat piece of cheap MDF (a spoilboard) underneath your workpiece to protect the expensive aluminum bed from being accidentally routed into when the bit cuts all the way through your project.