Atomstack is a well-known brand of laser engraving and cutting equipment. To date, the company has shown the market five different laser engravers, each of which can be further subdivided into different iterations.
Given the above, the company has extensive expertise in the field and offers a wide selection of laser engraving equipment.
The engravers offered by Atomstack are compact and ideal for use in professional environments and homes with do-it-yourselfers, artists and engineers. The A5 Pro discussed in this article has quickly become one of the company's most popular computers since its release.
Both the Sculpfun S6 Pro and the Atomstack A5 Pro we reviewed earlier fall into the same pricing range. The Atomstack A5 Pro is a more advanced machine.
Screws and other parts are packaged in separate bags, each of which is labeled to correspond to a specific step in the assembly instructions. Assembly of the machine takes less than thirty minutes to complete.
Assembling the Atomstack A5 Pro:
The A5 Pro comes in a self-assembly kit, so you'll be responsible for putting it together. It's not a particularly difficult task, and the kit comes with all the tools you need to do it.
After completing six stages, you'll be rewarded with an excellent solid build, which takes about 30 minutes to complete. There are no plastic components; everything is made of solid aluminum.
Make sure to pull the seat belt as tight as possible. You want a smooth ride, so make sure it's not too tight, but not too loose either. The same principle applies to the guide wheel in step 5.
If it's too tight, you might hear a click when you move the X-axis; on the other hand, if things are too loose, they might start to wobble. Also, the laser head has guide wheels, which may require some adjustment.
The control software LaserGRBL for the A5 is free. Also, there's LightBurn, which costs money but offers a risk-free, fully-featured trial version for a limited time. After you have mastered the engraving machine, you should consider giving it a try.
Notable features:
Here are some of the best features of the Atomstack A5 Pro:
Eye protection design:
The eye protection provided by the laser module of the A5 Pro is of the highest quality. The module is surrounded by a specialized protective cover that shields approximately 95% of the sun's UV radiation.
During the engraving process, goggles were used to protect the eyes from UV rays. UV rays can cause serious damage to the eyes. However, since the safety shield blocks most of the UV radiation, there is no need to use safety glasses in this case.
The protective cover is made of acrylic, the same material used to produce protective eyewear. Therefore, we can say that the cover acts as a pair of safety glasses. So users can manage devices without them, and even guests can watch them do so.
The cover is essential to prevent humans from coming into close contact with the laser. It is impossible for you to touch the laser beam by mistake in any way.
Laser Module:
The laser module of Atomstack A5 Pro has a laser optical power of 5-5.5W and a laser electrical power of 40W. Both numbers refer to the total power output of the module. For engraving, the focus is more than enough; it gets the job done to a high standard.
Since the focus of the laser cannot be adjusted, this is not a necessary step in the process. It makes things simpler for users who need to modify the module height to accommodate different sizes of stored items.
Laser with fine focus:
The laser beam is focused on a very small or thin area, measuring only 0.03mm, about the size of the space occupied by the tip of a fountain pen. This guarantees that the engraving will be more precise and accurate, allowing the tiny details of the image to be handled.
It contains a unique technology called Squeeze Spot, which squeezes the spot created by the laser. In light of the above, it should be noted that the engraving is more discernible, deeper, and darker than works produced by similar laser engravers on the market today.
Integrated system for cooling:
The problem with many different laser modules is that they do not dissipate heat adequately. There is no doubt that lasers generate excessive heat. If this heat is not removed, the life of the laser module is shortened and there is a risk of fire.
Atomstack has been focusing on this issue recently. The module has a built-in cooling mechanism, so it stays nice and cool. It not only prolongs the life of the laser module, but also avoids the problems caused by the module overheating.
Inside the module is a fan that can be used for cooling purposes. It maintains a cool temperature for the module and its circuit board (PCB). Second, there is a fairing design that collects wind from the bottom of the module, making it easier to cool.
Built-in measuring scale:
The machine is equipped with its internal measuring scale. Both the X and Y axes have their own ticks. These help the user position the laser module, adjust the visual size to correspond to the size of the object being scanned, and locate the laser.
The most notable aspect is that these scales are so precise that they can measure objects down to the millimeter. Users don't need to use a tape measure or align the laser module with the origin, as they might look at the scale themselves.
Engraving is done in cylindrical format:
The Atomstack A5 Pro laser engraving machine is also capable of cylindrical engraving with the help of its roller swivel attachment. Objects can be sculpted from any angle by rotating them 360 degrees with this tool.
There are eight different levels of angle adjustment, which can be used to change the distance between rollers or the diameter of the engraving. The achievable small diameter is 4 mm.
This accessory is ideal for cylindrical engraved items of uniform shape. For example, similar objects such as pens or glasses can be engraved on it effortlessly.
Unexpectedly, attachments can be used to expand the area that can be engraved. Placing longer items on the drum rotation will cause them to move back and forth within the engraving area. Engraving can also be done on larger things.
In addition, there are some additional supports that can be used to help support objects that are longer than what is usually visible.
Suppose the user is keen to engrave cylindrical objects or long objects that are longer than the length of the engraved area. In this case, they can purchase accessories separately from the main product.
Many proven benefits of Atomstack A5 Pro:
High Compatibility:
Both LightBurn and LaserGRBL are compatible with the Atomstack A5 Pro. LightBurn and LaserGRBL are compatible with Windows XP, Windows 7, Windows 8 and Windows 10 if you are using Microsoft's operating system. LightBurn is the only option for macOS users.
Since LaserGRBL is an open source and accessible technology, there is no cost to use it. It is suitable for a wide variety of jobs. LightBurn is a premium product; however, it is popular among industry professionals. If you want to take laser engraving to the next level, this is an incredible tool at your disposal.
Metal is used in the construction of the machine, making it durable and stable. When engraving, maintaining the stability of your machine is critical, and that's where the powerful design features come into play.
It improves the precision of the machine while suppressing vibrations. The second benefit of the machine's metal frame is that it extends the lifespan. It is resistant to wear, impact and bumps.
Large surface area for engraving:
The engraving area of the Atomstack A5 Pro is large enough to engrave and cut everyday items. It measures 410mm x 400mm x 80mm. It provides ample supplies for home businesses, DIY crafts, professional artists and other creative types.
The most advantageous aspect is that longer items can be moved back and forth with the help of the rotation of the rollers. It can engrave larger and longer things than the area that can be engraved on the machine. In addition to this, the foot pads allow the height of the machine to be adjusted as needed.
Long life expectancy:
Diode laser engraving equipment has a much longer lifespan than conventional CO2 lasers. These have a higher life expectancy, with the atom stack A5 Pro expected to operate between 10,000 and 20,000 hours.
There is a good chance that the device will have a longer lifespan, which will allow customers to get value for money from their purchase.
Atomstack A5 Pro Cons:
Not strong enough for cutting:
After witnessing the power level of the laser module, many people are confused. Actually, the laser module takes up most of the power. However, you should pay attention to the optical power of the laser module, as this represents the power emitted.
The laser power of A5 Pro is only 5-5.5W, although the laser power is 40W. The machine is good at engraving, but cannot cut thick materials. Even after many passes, the plywood with a thickness of 3 mm cannot be missed.
So if you want to use a laser to cut thick wood or other materials up to 10mm thick, you should buy a different type of laser.
Here's a slow sculpting process:
The low laser optical power of this device has been discussed before in our conversation. Low power also affects the length of time it takes to engrave.
This will take more time; however, machines available today with laser light powers of 10W or higher can engrave quickly. Also, carving something requires more than one tool pass.
It's hard to focus on things:
Focusing is not easy at all. Even if the laser has a fixed focus, the height of the module needs to be modified. To do this, you will need to place an acrylic spacer with a thickness of 2mm above the item. After that, to reposition the module, you need to loosen the two hex screws on its side.
You can now adjust the laser module and overlap it with the spacer so that there is only a 2mm height difference between the item and the laser module. At this point you should be done by tightening the screws nicely and removing the spacers.
Focusing on anything is not as simple as it seems. It will take some time to loosen the laser module and you will need a few pieces of equipment. Probably not that difficult.
Better support for customers can help:
The quality of customer service is not very high and there is room for improvement in this area. Other laser etchers have online social media groups and operators who can help customers find solutions to any problems they may have.
However, if you can't upgrade from the Atomstack A5 Pro, you'll have a hard time getting a quick solution to your problem.
Conclusion:
The Atomstack A5 Pro is an excellent laser engraver that is loved by many laser enthusiasts. With its forward-looking features and capabilities, this purchase is certainly worth the money.