The Importance of Enclosures for Laser Engravers and Cutters
Eye protection
When it comes to safety, laser engraver enclosures are equipped with a protective glass which filters out the harmful laser light emitted by the laser head. This makes it much safer to be around the laser engraver and use it, as you are not directly exposed to the harmful light.
Venting smoke outside
The smoke produced by laser engraving can be harmful, so it is important to vent it outside. Laser enclosures have a built-in ventilation system which helps to ensure that the smoke is directed outside through the exhaust tube, away from the user.
Helps to Prolong the Life of your Laser Engraver
Laser engraver enclosure also helps to prolong the life of your laser engraver by preventing dust and debris from getting onto the machine’s mechanical parts. This helps to keep the laser engraver clean and free of potential problems that could shorten its lifespan.
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The Different Types of Laser Engraver Enclosures We Have Reviewed and Tested
When it comes to laser engraver enclosures, we have managed to get our hands on two – the Sculpfun enclosure which fits the Sculpfun S10 or S9 and the xTool laser engraver enclosure which fits the xTool D1 Pro or the regular xTool D1, that we have tested and reviewed previously. Each manufacturer decided on a completely different type of box. Each one has its own pros and cons, so it’s important to choose the right one for your needs.
We also saw that Atomstack and Ortur also have their own version of enclosures, but they are very expensive. The Atomstacks costs 400$ and the Ortur laser master enclosure costs around 320$ which is in our opinion way to much money for an enclosure! They are very premium for sure, with pneumatic lid lifters and all, but they shouldn’t cost almost as much as the engraver itself!
If you’re looking for an enclosure that’s both creative and practical, then building your own DIY enclosure might be right up your alley. With some know-how in construction techniques it is easy to create something intricate with all the features necessary – even if they aren’t necessarily available with commercial options. You can get creative and make it so that it perfectly fits your needs. But it usually takes more time and cost more money than buying it. Here is an example of the home-made laser enclosure that we use.
Sculpfun vs Xtool Laser Engraver Enclosure Side-By-Side Comparison
Overview
Both enclosures cost approximately the same amount. The price is 180$ for both at the time of writing this article. Both enclosures come as a kit need to be assembled upon arrival. The Sculpfun enclosure kit takes a bit more time to assemble as there is a bit more hardware, but at the end it is well worth the effort.
Short video review
Construction
The Sculpfun laser engraver enclosure is made from a strong metal frame, making it sturdy and long-lasting. The great thing is that it is is easily upgradable. The frame is great and you can modify it and attach a different lid, mount hinges and handles on it to make it even easier to use. However, it takes a bit more time to assemble the frame.
It is a great choice for those looking for a simple, yet effective way to protect their laser engraver. The enclosure consists of a metal frame with a thin protective film glued around it to make a chamber. The front and top sheet are attached with a Velcro so they can be easily removed to access the machine. The ventilation box is very roomy, you can put a whole machine inside together with an air assist pump.
The xTool D1 Laser engraver enclosure has a different construction approach than other enclosures on the market. It is made from plastic panels, wrapped in textile material. The sides are attached together with Velcro. The assembly is very simple and quick. It is a bit less sturdy than the Sculpfun enclosure, but it fits the xtool D1 laser engraver very snugly which adds some additional stability. The enclosure is also made from fire retardant material and has a Velcro tool holder on the side which is great!
Dimensions
Sculpfun has an advantage here due to its bigger size of 720*720*360mm (28.3*28.3*14.2 inch) for the standard enclosure and and the extended 1440*720*360mm (56.7*28.3*14.2 in) enclosure that will fit the machine upgraded with the Sculpfun expansion kit. Because of the big sizing of their enclosures, other machines and all kinds of accessories will also fit easily inside if you decide upgrade with another machine one day. It is a great choice for those looking for an universal enclosure that will fit a lot of laser engravers. It is suitable for almost all laser engraving machines on the market.
The xTool enclosure is sized 625*613*314mm (24.61*24.13*12.36 inch) and it also comes in the extended version sized 1180*610*310mm (46.45*24*12.2 in). It is custom tailored to the xTool D1 laser engraver. It is not as universal of a fit, so it might not fit over other laser engravers. However, for those that have the xTool D1 laser cutter, this enclosure is an excellent option.
Ventilation
Both machines have active ventilation. Sculpfun enclosure extracts the air on the back side of the enclosure. The Sculpfun has a more powerful USB powered exhaust fan (wall adapter not included, but you can use any old phone charger) and a has a 1.5m (5 feet) long hose with large diameter.
The xTool uses a PC style fume exhaust fan, powered by the included wall adapter. The air is extracted on the right side of the enclosure. The extraction hose also 1.5m (5 feet) long and is much smaller in diameter compared to Sculpfun, but it is made from quality material and should work well.
Build quality
The Sculpfun enclosure wins with the sturdy metal frame, but the plastic protection sheets glued to the frame make it look a bit cheap and not as premium. The xTool enclosure feels very nice to the touch with its textile covered sides, but it is much more flimsy to use as there is no frame to give it more strength since it relies on the xTool D1 frame to provide support.
Usability
The top and front plastic protection sheets on the Sculpfun enclosure are held by Velcro tape. In order to access the laser engraver, you remove one or both sheets from the frame. The Velcro is not that strong and the removal is easy. You can use the enclosure semi-open if you prefer easier access and just a little bit less fume extraction performance. The only thing that bothered us is that on top front edge (between both sheets) there is always a small gap as the thin sheets don’t align perfectly, but thanks to the strong fan, no smoke escapes through.
The xTool enclosure is much easier to open and close as the top cover just sits on top. But when you open the lid, it sometimes does not want to stay open as it looks like that the straps which held the hood open are just a tiny bit too short. Just like Sculpfun, it efficiently extracts all the smoke.
The Sculpfun wins in terms of visibility as you can see what is happening to the machine from any angle. The xTool has a window just on the top. If anything starts burning, or not going according to plan during the engraving, it will be much easier to see that through the Sculpfun enclosure.
Aesthetics
The xTool enclosure wins in terms of aesthetics. It looks very well put together compared to the Sculpfun enclosure. But the Sculpfun box can be easily modified and customized to fit the style you are after.
Laser engraver enclosure is a must-have accessory!
Conclusion
We hope our review has helped you to decide which enclosure is the best for your needs. Be sure not only check out our recommendations, but also take time and think about what will work well with YOUR application before making any final decisions!
Both of these enclosures are great options and will provide you with years of protection from harmful laser smoke and light emissions. And remember, always use caution when operating lasers – following the proper safety precautions is essential for keeping yourself safe and avoiding damage to your equipment.
Thanks for reading!
Buy Sculpfun EnclosureBuy xTool EnclosureBe sure to also check out my reviews of newer laser engravers HERE!
This post was written by JT Makes It.
JT Makes It is an engineer, hobbyist, and DIY-er armed with a Master’s degree in Electrical Engineering and over a decade of professional experience in the industry. From an early age, JT Makes It was pushed by an insatiable curiosity, spending countless hours disassembling, understanding, improving, and creating various gadgets and products. This lifelong passion led to a broad spectrum of technical expertise ranging from electronics, woodworking, metalworking, and CNC machinery, with a particular focus on laser engravers.
For the past 9 years, he has shared his expertise through engaging videos on his YouTube channel. With the last three years dedicated to scrutinizing and testing laser engravers, he also created this website and emerged as a recognized authority in the field. His expertise extends across the spectrum of laser technologies, ranging from diode lasers, CO2 lasers, and fiber lasers, paying attention to details and providing practical insights.
With JT Makes It, expect a blend of technical expertise, backed with hands-on experience, and a genuine passion for innovation and creation, making him a trusted source in the realm of DIY and laser engraving enthusiasts alike.
Hi, I really like the Sculpfun enclosure! Thanks for the review!
Thank you for visiting!
Thank you for you very informative reviews.
I need to cut precise thin parts (ply and acrylic) roughly 100mm by 700mm, so I am especially interested in the extended Sculpfun S9 and the new foldable LaserPecker KX1 Max.
David, UK
For extended machines and acrylic I would recommend more powerful module like Sculpfun S30 Pro or Pro Max. Check the review on our site. They also have better mechanical system and air assist. Much better for acrylic.
Does the Sculpfun CAM500 Lightburn Camera fit under the Sculpfun enclosure? Can I use the camera in those red lights? I have a Sculpfun S9 and want to upgrade it with both the camera and the enclosure.