Laser cutters and engravers are versatile – and powerful – tools. We can create great things with these tools, and we can also do a lot of damage. (With great power comes great responsibility!)
We want to make sure we’re using that power safely, especially if we’re using these machine in an enclosed space or public setting.
We use the xTool F1 Ultra. We love it because it can handle such a wide range of projects in a compact machine. You can read our full F1 Ultra review here.
The F1 Ultra houses two 20watt laser emitters and is considered a Class 4 Laser. We’re cutting into stone and metal with the infrared laser or burning into wood and leather with the blue diode laser, so this thing can do some damage if not used responsibly.
| Laser Class | Description | Risk Level | Common Examples |
|---|
| Class 1 | Completely enclosed system; laser radiation is not accessible during normal operation. | Safe under all normal conditions | CD/DVD players, fully enclosed laser engravers (like the xTool F1 Ultra with lid closed) |
| Class 2 | Emits visible light; safe because exposure is limited to less than 0.25 seconds (blink reflex). | Low risk; avoid staring into the beam | Laser pointers (<1mW), barcode scanners |
| Class 3 | Can cause eye injury if viewed directly; includes both Class 3R and 3B subcategories. | Moderate to high risk depending on exposure | Open-frame diode engravers, laser alignment tools |
| Class 4 | High-powered lasers capable of causing serious eye and skin injury and creating fire hazards. Direct, reflected, or scattered exposure is dangerous. | High risk | Industrial laser cutters, fiber laser engravers (open or partially enclosed systems) |
Lasers generate some intense heat, and the burned materials create harmful smoke and fumes which can be an additional safety hazard. Thankfully, xTool lasers are designed with safety in mind.
xTool F1 Ultra
Versatile Laser Engraver tool
Here are the ways the F1 Ultra is designed to keep you safe without sacrificing power:
Protective Shield (Safety Cover)
Many lasers on the market leave the cutting area open and exposed.
The xTool F1 Ultra has a special protective enclosure around it that covers the working area. This green colored plastic shield filters the powerful light frequencies from both laser types (fiber and diode) which could damage your eyes if you looked at it directly.
The shield also provides a physical barrier. It keeps out curious little hands and prevents instinctively reaching into reaching into the cutting area while the lasers are on.
The shield simply slides up and down, so the workspace is still easily accessible.
Protecting Your Eyes with Laser Safety Goggles
There may be times when you need to use the lasers without the safety shield down (for instance when filming video of the process or when using materials that don’t allow the shield to close completely.)
The xTool F1 Ultra Educational Package also includes special Laser Safety Goggles to protect your eyes even more. These goggles are designed specifically to block out the exact types of laser light the xTool F1 Ultra uses:
- Complete Laser Light Protection
The goggles filter laser light in two important ranges: 316nm–450nm and 900nm–1080nm. That means whether you’re engraving with visible or invisible laser beams, your eyes stay safe. - Comfortable and Easy to Wear
These goggles are lightweight and comfortable, so you won’t mind wearing them even during longer projects. Always put them on before starting your laser engraver, and keep them on until your project is finished.
They make great lab fashion accessories! Just look how stylish these guys are:
Emergency Stop Button
The F1 Ultra has an emergency stop button. If something feels unsafe (like maybe wood that flames up), pressing this big red button instantly shuts down the laser machine. It helps you stay in control and prevent accidents.
Automatic Laser Shut-off
If someone accidentally opens the safety cover during a running job, the machine immediately stops. The laser shuts down to make sure no one gets hurt. You can override this is the settings if you need to do some filming of the process or are working with they conveyor or other accessories for specific jobs.
Heat Sensors and Cooling
Lasers get hot when engraving (wood tends to flame up a bit on this machine.) To keep the machine safe and cool, it uses sensors that check its temperature. If things get too hot, the xTool F1 Ultra will pause and cool down automatically.
We’ve had the flame detector go off a few times when doing deep engravings on wood, and it automatically paused the process. It wasn’t a large flame, which went out as soon as the laser stopped. We didn’t need to intervene, but we had to start the cutting again to resume normal operation.
Cleaner Air with the SafetyPro™ AP2 Air Purifier
The laser cutting process burns off part of the material you’re working on, which can create smoke, dust, and odors that aren’t healthy to breathe. There is a fan in the back of the machine to vent the immediate workspace. The F1 Ultra comes with a vent hose that attaches to the back of the machine.
You can simply vent it outside (and share any odors with your neighbors), but what if you’re not near a window? (Our makerspace is in a basement workshop, and venting outside isn’t an option.)
SafetyPro AP2 Air Purifier
Cut & Engrave with clean air
That’s why the xTool F1 Ultra educational package includes a special machine called the SafetyPro AP2 Air Purifier. It keeps your air clean and safe during laser engraving. Here’s how it works:
- Cyclone Power!
The AP2 uses something called a Dual SuperCyclone system that catches most of the bigger particles before they even reach the filter. This keeps the filters cleaner and helps them last longer. - Six-Layer Filtration
Next, the air moves through special filters made of six different layers. These layers catch 99.99% of tiny dust particles, smoke, and bad smells, making sure you breathe fresh and healthy air while you’re working. - Carbon Mesh for Cleaner Smells
The purifier also has a special filter with activated carbon (like charcoal), which absorbs any bad smells or chemicals in the air. The carbon acts like a sponge for smells, keeping your workspace pleasant. - Smart and Quiet Operation
The AP2 connects wirelessly to your xTool laser engraver and automatically adjusts its cleaning power when you engrave. This is great for us since we have it on the floor a bit further away from the unit to save on counter space. - Plus, it’s quiet enough to let you concentrate on your projects without too much noise.
The AP2 Air filter is available separately if you just got the F1 Ultra or another package – or another brand machine. It’s definitely worth picking up.
Check this out
Check out our full review of the SafetyPro AP2 Purifier
Required Safety Training Video
When you first fire up the xTool Creative Space (XCS) software, you’ll be prompted to complete a laser safety “course.” This is a video that walks through the danger of lasers (we’re easily burning into rock and metal – imagine what this could do to flesh!) and how to ensure safe operation of the machine.
Safety Key
Possibly the most overlooked safety feature is the access control key. The F1 Ultra requires a USB style dongle be inserted in a slot to operate. By removing the dongle, you can simply prevent the machine from running. This is handy to prevent unauthorized use in a lab setting, or keep your kids safe at home.
Tips for Staying Safe:
Ask an adult to help: Always have a grown-up supervise when using a laser engraver.
Never stare at the laser: Even with safety cover and goggles, avoid looking directly at the laser beam.
Wear your Safety Goggles: Always wear your xTool Safety Goggles when the laser engraver is running.
Use the AP2 Purifier: Always make sure your SafetyPro™ AP2 is switched on and working to keep your breathing air safe and clean.
Don’t leave the Lasers running unattended: It’s fascinating to watch the process, and this machine moves quickly (like a few seconds on some projects.) For deeper engravings, it may be tempting to wander off. Stay close, especially when working with wood, which will sometimes flame up.
Wrap Up – Laser Engraver Safety
Laser engraving is an exciting way to create art, gifts, and cool projects. You can work with a wide variety of materials and make some amazing things. It’s easy to get caught up in the creative process and forget we’re working with powerful lasers.
By following these simple safety guidelines and using the protective equipment included with the xTool F1 Ultra, like the AP2 Air Purifier and Laser Safety Goggles, you can ensure every engraving project is safe, fun, and successful. Happy engraving!
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