Best Desktop Laser Engraver: How the OMTech Polar Stands Out
Whether you're a home-based creator or a small business owner, having the right laser engraver matters. Learn more about how the OMTech Polar stands above the rest as the best desktop laser engraver.
Laser engraving projects are a fun and relaxing way for home hobbyists and small business owners to create beautiful, customized works of art. Crafters can use laser engraver machines to etch intricate designs on a variety of materials, such as wood, leather, acrylic, plastic, and paper. The project ideas are virtually endless, and the precise results can be breathtaking.
You can access a wide range of creative possibilities with a laser cutting machine. You can personalize objects such as coffee mugs, ornaments, decorations, coasters, cards, and more. Whether you are planning to create gifts for your friends and family or manufacture products to sell to consumers, you can't go wrong when investing in a desktop laser printer.
What Makes the OMTech Polar the Best Desktop Laser Engraver in Recent Time?
If you're in the market for a desktop laser engraver, you may quickly become overwhelmed with the types of laser engravers available. You might have questions about laser power, safety features, ecological impact, price point, type of material you can use, and machine functionality. The great news is OMTech has addressed these concerns and more with the rollout of the Polar 50W Desktop Laser Cutter Engraver Machine.
Originally marketed as the next Glowforge alternative, the OMTech Polar has now surpassed glowforge across all cylinders as the best desktop laser engraver in the business according to industry experts. With its elegant, compact design, the Polar is the desktop engraver the laser community has long been awaiting. Its lightweight and small body allows for easy transport and optimal desktop placement, fitting perfectly right on your office desk. However, don't let its size and weight fool you — the Polar is powerful enough to forge through various materials at lightning quick speed.
OMTech Polar Facebook Group and Large User Community
We know that starting out your laser journeys can be hard, and we understand that mastering a new piece of technology can be complicated. The OMTech Polar Facebook Group is a non-judgmental maker’s space for laser beginners and experts alike. Created by The Laser Guys trio, the group consists of Polar users sharing and discussing their individual laser projects with the Polar and also asking for troubleshooting enquiries when they run into any technical difficulties. This Facebook group is a huge resource for a hobbyist or someone just starting out with their first laser machine purchase. If you are thinking of purchasing an OMTech Polar Laser Machine or just want to see the machine in action with real time testimonials, join the OMTech Polar Facebook Group now!
Laser Rotary Attachment and Inline Duct Fan Included
The OMTech Polar is one of the best desktop laser machines in the industry because of its all-in-one purchase package. The machine purchase comes along with 2 custom laser rotary attachments, which are required laser tools if you want to engrave on irregularly shaped or cylindrical objects such as mugs or tumblers. The rotary attachments are fitted perfectly with the OMTech Polar gantry after the removal of the laser machine’s honeycomb bed.
A large inline duct fan is also included within the laser machine package along with two duct tubes to direct the polluted air from your desktop laser engraver to outside your work shop. The 60W, 282-353 CFM exhaust fan comes with a wireless remote control to control the fan’s power output.
Includes Built-in Ventilation and Filtration System To Prevent Overheating
During the engraving process, laser cutters utilized focused laser beams to burn away layers of materials. This operation generates a significant amount of heat. Without proper ventilation, a laser engraver could become overheated, fail to work correctly, or become entirely inoperable.
Thankfully, the Polar has a ventilation and filtration system that keeps the engraver cool to prevent overheating. The machine's pre-equipped and wired air assist system uses pressurized air to dissipate unwanted heat and contaminants. The easy-to-install exhaust fan keeps air flowing freely by expelling gasses and debris away from the workbed. Further, the water chiller arrives filled with 1.6 liters of OMTech coolant, which should last about a year before needing refilling, depending on usage.
Uses a High-Powered 50W CO2 Laser Tube
CO2 or gas lasers are exceptional at engraving nonmetal materials for several reasons. The electrically stimulated carbon dioxide gas mixture produces excellent beam quality with a high degree of efficiency. Further, CO2 lasers can engrave intricate designs rapidly and with pinpoint precision.
The Polar's powerful 50 W CO2 laser can cut at faster speeds than your typical home laser engraver. The CO2 laser can cut various nonmetal materials at a depth of up to 10 mm. Moreover, the Polar boasts an engraving speed of up to 600 mm a second.
Has a Built-in 360 Degree Panoramic Camera
For even greater control and accuracy, OMTech's Polar comes equipped with a 5-megapixel resolution fisheye panoramic camera. This component is critical for users to see how their projects look throughout the laser engraving process in real time. The 360 degree view allows users to see the entirety of their workpiece at a glance, eliminating blind spots to get a complete picture of the whole scope of their project.
This digital camera also has convenient drag-and-drop functionality so you can easily adjust the position and size of your project's patterns. This feature leaves the guesswork out of determining the operating breadth of the laser as it relates to your designs.
Includes an Auto-focused Laser Head
An auto-focused laser head is vital when working with cylindrical objects or thicker materials. While auto-focus was once an expensive upgrade for most laser cutters, it comes standardly installed in OMTech's Polar model. Auto-focus eliminates the sometimes steep learning curve for laser heads that require manual focus.
With the Polar you will not have to worry about intermittently stopping to adjust the laser's focus setting while engraving your materials. The Polar's auto-focusing laser head will automatically calibrate to the optimal settings for all your projects. This hands-free adjustment will give you greater precision and speed.
Safe and Eco-Friendly With Protective Fan Guard and 3C Compliant Components
Safety is critical when considering a desktop laser engraver, especially if you don't have years of experience operating one. For beginners, working with a laser beam can seem intimidating and hazardous. However, laser engraving is a safe activity when you are equipped with the right machine.
The OMTech Polar is 3C compliant, which means its components meet the rigorous safety and environmental standards established by the FDA, CE, and FCC. The Polar is also fully enclosed and houses a guard specifically designed for the fan, providing extra protection levels.
Efficient Integration of Lightburn Software
The software you use with your desktop laser cutter will significantly impact your overall experience with the machine. You want software technical enough to work efficiently with your laser engraving machine, but you also want it to be user-friendly. Lightburn software fits the bill with its straightforward interface and capabilities that can be as simple or advanced as your skill level allows.
More Affordable Than Other Laser Engraving Machines on the Market
As an affordable machine with stellar functionality, the OMTech Polar is at the top of the list of desktop laser engraving machines on the market today. Priced just below $3,000, its cutting-edge features and streamlined design make it a tool you will be excited to have in your workspace.
The Polar 350 is more than an excellent desktop laser engraver at an impressive price point. Investing in a machine from OMTech gives you our 2-year warranty, exceptional customer and technical support, and access to the world's best laser community.
Use Only the Best Desktop Laser Engraver for Your Business
When you purchase an OMTech laser cutter, you gain a partner in your laser engraving journey. Our team of experts is standing by to help you every step of the way. Visit OMTech Laser today to learn more about the Polar 50 W laser engraving machine.
