The New xTool RA2 Pro - The WORLD'S FIRST 4-in-1 Rotary for xTool D1 Laser Engraver
*The links on this website can be affiliate links. I earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. When you buy through these links you will support this website, which helps me to run this website(which cost money and a TON of time) and provide all these extensive reviews and information to you for free, without any paid membership.
The xTool RA2 Pro comes well packed and very well made. All the parts are made from solid metal and have a very premium feel.
In the package you get two sets of jaws for the chuck and on the internet you can also find 3D printing models for even bigger jaws.
The xTool RA2 Pro can also be used as a standard rubber roller attachment. It is a slightly bigger size than the standard x-tool roller system.
In the package you get two sets of jaws (and on their website you can download a free 3D models for 3D printing even bigger jaws!).
You also get a roller support module for supporting longer objects on the other end. With the added support, you can even engrave a baseball bat if you want!
All the hardware is made from solid metal and it is very well made!
Connection is easy. One end goes into the attachments stepper motor and the other end plugs instead of the x-axis motor on the left of the machine. Then, you need to install the raiser feet on the machine to accommodate the taller cylindrical objects.
What Is the Difference Between Rubber Rollers and Chuck Style Rotary System?
The rubber roller works by friction between rubber rollers and the object you want to engrave:
Vector engravings require a lot of small rotating movements of the object. The rotation movements change a lot and because there is always some slippage between the object and the rollers, the position error accumulates, and over time it becomes very large, and the engraving gets skewed.
Pros: Easy to use, simple design
Cons: you can’t engrave cone shaped objects, slippage between roller and cylinder causes distortion
Chuck style rotary system works by clamping the object firmly in the chuck jaws:
Pros: no slippage results in perfect engravings every time andyou can clamp anything from wine glasses, cones, bottles, baseball bats, flashlights, tea cups with handles… you name it! It works with everything!
Cons: more complicated design and costs more and a bit more setup needed
The xTool RA2 Pro rotary attachment can be transformed to work in both configurations. We have tested both scenarios by engraving the same vector image of a motorcycle to a stainless steel cylinder.
The top two engravings were done with the rotary system in rubber roller configuration.
The difference between them was in engraving optimization settings. You can see that there is a very big difference in the output when the engraving optimisation is changed. This is due to the different amount of small movements in rotation and thus a different amount of slippage.
The bottom one was done by transforming the xTool RA2 Pro rotary attachment in chuck mode and fixing the cylinder firmly in the chuck. Attaching object into the jaws is done by rotating the toothed gear on the chuck and tightening with the included wrench like on an electric drill. You can also mount cylinders from the inside out.
Engraving Long Objects
Using the xTool RA2 Pro, you can also engrave long objects by supporting them with the support module. We tried to engrave a heavy Maglite flashlight. We used the support module since this flashlight is very heavy. Levelling is precise and you can use the included bubble level to make sure that the piece stays level.
Engraving Spherical Objects Like This Round Christmas Ornament
The xTool RA2 Pro comes with a bracket which is used to support the spherical objects. We engraved this plastic Christmas ornament, because we couldn’t find one made from glass. We had the power set up too high and there was some overburn in the corners, but it still shows that with this rotary chuck, you can engrave spheres with a great precision! With some more power tweaking, the engraving would come out perfect!
Even More Ways To Use The xTool RA2 Pro Rotary Chuck Attachment!
You can use the steel pins to grab a small ring or a small lid or a cylinder. This moves the small object away from the jaws which could get in the way of a laser module in the middle of an engraving.
Laser Engraving a Tea Cup With a Handle!
This was impossible on a rubber roller design. But still, when clamping the cup in the attachment, the handle still gets in a way and hits the bottom steel plate. This can be solved by unscrewing the plate and rotating the gantry 180 degrees. Now you can raise the assembly, put something heavy on the other side and the handle will not get in the way anymore.
Setting The xTool RA2 Pro in The Lightburn Software
Before using the xTool RA2 Pro in the chuck configuration, you need to open the “Rotary Setup” menu and set the circumference of the object you want to engrave, otherwise the software does not know what is the diameter of your object.
We found out that the “mm per rotation” value needs to be set by trial and error.
Remember the circumference value and draw a rectangle and set its height the same as the circumference. This means that the engraving will be exactly 360 degrees around the object since its size is the same as the object circumference. Then frame the job and see if it makes exactly one full rotation. If not, adjust the millimetres per rotation value until it is perfectly aligned.
This setup is much easier if you use the xTool Laserbox software instead of the Lightburn, but that software is much more limited and we recommend it for the beginners.
Does the xTool RA2 Pro Fit Other Laser Engravers Like Sculpfun and Atomstack?
Yes it does! The xTool RA2 Pro comes with an adapter cable so it fits other common laser engraver brands like Sculpfun and Atomstack. This means it will fit the popular models like the Sculpfun S30 Pro Max and Atomstack A20/X20 Pro, Sculpfun S9, Atomstack A10/x7 Pro, Sculpfun S10 and many more similar machines!
Top of the line rotary system for the xTool D1 laser engraver! and other brands of laser engravers!
Conclusion
xTool RA2 Pro, is a seriously good piece of kit that fits the xTool laser engravers and other popular brands!
Very well made, high quality and very durable. It will last a long time! It is truly versatile as it can be used as a rubber roller or converted to chuck style rotary attachment which can be used to engrave small, big, long and short cylinders, rings and even spheres and balls!
It will open so many options for your creativity!
Use coupon code JTxTool for 10% off your xTool RA2 Pro and the xTool D1 Pro laser engraver!
If the machine does not sell in your country, you can also get this machine IN THIS STORE.
Be 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.
Can you use this chuck with the sculpfun S9?
It should be compatible with other open frame brands. They say it is compatible with Sculpfun, Atomstack, ORTUR, NEJE, Twotress.