The xTool F1 Laser Engraver offers speed, precision, and versatility for your engraving projects. 

It combines a 10W 455nm blue-light laser with a 2W 1064nm infrared laser, enabling it to engrave on a wide array of materials including leather, acrylic, metal, glass, and slate. 

This dual-laser setup allows users to switch between lasers without changing modules, enhancing efficiency and material compatibility.

This device can be used for a number of different activities including prototyping new ideas, creating promotional items, and more.

What You Need To Know

Supplies on Hand: Maker Commons has a variety of supplies available for you to quickly make your own custom creations, including leather coasters, patches, and keychains, aluminum business cards, slate coasters, metal jewelry, and more. If you have other project ideas, please contact mediacommons@psu.edu to discuss options.

Project Inspiration can be found in the xTool’s free Project Gallery.

What to Bring: Please come in with your graphic designs ready to engrave or have a project in mind that you found in the Project Gallery. 

If you would like a design consultation first, please feel free to request an appointment. 

We provide the materials permitted for laser engraving for 3 items. If you have a specific project in mind or would like a link to purchase additional materials please contact us at mediacommons@psu.edu for consultation or a link.

Glossary of Terms

• Engrave: The process of cutting, carving, or etching a design, text, or pattern into a hard surface. This is done to create a permanent mark or decorative feature. The technique can be performed by hand, machine, or laser, and is commonly used on materials such as metal, wood, glass, stone, leather, and plastic. Engraving is permanent and resistant to wear.
• Engraving Blank: A pre-cut, unmarked item or surface specifically designed to be engraved. It serves as the base material onto which a laser engraver can add text, designs, or images.
• Etching: A process used to create a design or pattern on a surface by removing material, typically through chemical, laser, or mechanical means. It’s often used to produce fine, detailed artwork or markings on metals, glass, stone, and other materials. Etching usually removes less material than engraving, producing finer and more delicate designs and it changes the surface texture or color rather than cutting deep into the material. Like engraving, etching is permanent and resistant to wear.
• Laser Engraver: A machine that uses a focused beam of light (laser) to permanently mark or etch the surface of a material. It works by precisely heating, vaporizing, or removing the top layer of the material to create text, patterns, images, or barcodes.