EXPLORATION

xTool F1 Ultra
Laser Marking Settings

Compared with the smaller F1, the F1 Ultra is equipped with significantly more powerful laser units — 2W vs 20W. While it’s common knowledge that the Ultra has the ability to engrave and cut much harder materials such as metals and stone, many of you wanted to know if it could also be used to apply detailed graphics to 3D prints, as we had already been doing with the F1. So we did some basic testing to find out.

Reference files can be found in the Materials Reference accordion at the bottom of the page

Two Rounds of Tests

We did the study in two stages; the first was a direct comparison of results from the F1 with results from the F1 Ultra. This first round of tests allowed us to fine-tune the test file that we later use for material testing on the F1 Ultra.

The second round of tests is more focused on finding optimal settings for a selection of materials. We’ll continue to add to this list in the future.

F1 Ultra and F1 Results Comparisons

For these comparisons we used the xTool F1 Ultra’s 20W Fiber IR and F1’s 2W IR lasers

Polymaker Black PLA Pro

F1 Ultra

F1

Overture Light Brown Matte PLA

F1 Ultra

F1

Polymaker Dark Grey PLA Pro

F1 Ultra

F1

Polymaker Army Green PLA Pro

F1 Ultra

F1

Here is a link to the xTool files we used for the tests
(note that we consider this F1 Ultra test file listed here as now outdated) :

xTool F1 2W IR Marking Test

xTool F1 Ultra 20W Fiber IR Marking Test (outdated)

Filament Test Plates with the F1 Ultra

For this test we used the xTool F1 Ultra’s 2W Fiber IR laser

Black PLA Pro
Highest contrast Engraving: Power 30, Speed 4000 mm/sec, 240 lpcm
Optimal Scoring: Power 50, Speed 2000 mm/sec
Polymaker PLA Pro Black

Dark Grey PLA Pro
Highest contrast Engraving: Power 40, Speed 2000 mm/sec, 240 lpcm
Optimal Scoring: Power 100, Speed 500 mm/sec
Polymaker PLA Pro Dark Grey

Silver PLA Pro
Highest contrast Engraving: Power 50, Speed 2250 mm/sec, 240 lpcm
Optimal Scoring: Power 100, Speed 1000 mm/sec
Polymaker PLA Pro Silver

Gold PLA Pro
Highest contrast Engraving: *
Optimal Scoring: *
Polymaker PLA Pro Gold

Black PETG
Highest contrast Engraving: Power 30, Speed 3250 mm/sec, 240 lpcm
Optimal Scoring: Power 40, Speed 500 mm/sec
SUNLU PETG Black

Dark Green PETG
Highest contrast Engraving: Power 30, Speed 3250 mm/sec, 240 lpcm
Optimal Scoring: Power 40, Speed 500 mm/sec
Polymaker PETG Dark Green

Blue PETG
Highest contrast Engraving: Power 50, Speed 1550 (or 1750) mm/sec, 240 lpcm
Optimal Scoring: Power 100, Speed 300 mm/sec (?)
Overture PETG Blue

Here is a link to the xTool file we used for the tests:

xTool F1 Ultra 20W Fiber IR Marking Test

The Test File

The xTool F1 Ultra XCS test file used in this exploration has a pretty broad spread of parameter settings. Power settings range from a low of 20% (10 percent higher than what we found to be ineffective) through to 100%. And speed settings extend to 6250 mm/sec — well beyond six times the highest speed we use on the F1 test file.

So far, we’ve found that optimal settings for scoring and engraving can end up being virtually anywhere in this spread, depending on the type and color of the material.

You can download this F1 Ultra-specific file here.

  • If you are interested in what we used for this process, you can find our materials below.

    Hardware:

    Bambu X1 Carbon

    Bambu Cool Plate SuperTack

    xTool F1 Ultra
    xTool F1

    Software:

    Shapr3D Version 5.692.0 (7363)
    Bambu Studio 1.10.1.50

    xTool Creative Space v2.3.24

    Filament:

    Polymaker PLA Pro Black
    Polymaker PLA Pro Dark Grey
    Polymaker PLA Pro Silver
    Polymaker PLA Pro Army Green
    Polymaker PLA Pro Gold
    Overture Matte PLA Light Brow
    Polymaker PETG Dark Green
    Overture PETG Blue
    SUNLU PETG Black

  • xTool 20W Fiber IR Marking Test

*Please remember that using lasers on synthetic materials always runs the risk of putting harmful chemicals into the air. So, before beginning, don't forget to ensure that you have proper ventilation and to use hoods and air filtration whenever possible.