ACMER P3 48 Watt Laser Module

Recently ACMER sent me their P3 2 IN 1 which I reviewed here. As a follow up to that blog they sent me their ACMER P3 48 Watt Laser Module ($699) to test.

If you purchase the P3 with the 48 Watt module the cost there is $1499.

This blog won’t be as long as that blog since I covered all the cool stuff about the P3 already. I can focus on the updated module.

I almost never do this but I have one small beef right out of the the box. The P3 48 Watt Laser Module is a bit bigger than the 2 IN 1 Laser Module.

In my picture here you can see the two thumbscrews which are used to secure the module to the frame. Because of the larger size of the 48 watt module you simply can’t get the grip on those things like you can with the 2 IN 1 module installed. This might not bother you, but I have the fumble fingers. And it doesn’t make it impossible it’s just a tiny bit harder to secure.

So right off the bat I have a recommendation to either use a lock down bar or to add some longer securing screws. I’d warn you to not decide this is a dealbreaker though. Hey I could probably DIY something up or get some longer thumbscrews myself. I simply wanted to mention it to any potential upgraders.

ACMER P3 48 Watt Laser Module – First Look

He is a quick walk around the 48 Watt module.

Now let’s hang the module and see if it will cut something.

Cutting

I have one piece of wood that doesn’t look imposing, but it is. Not sure what it is but this is the piece of wood that won’t cut, that will catch on fire, and pushes a laser to its limits. I grab it every time I test a new laser. It is brutal. I need to mention something else first though.

AP220 Smoke Air Purifier

I went searching for the cutting video I made and found that I had kind of doubled up on blog stuff here. ACMER also sent me their AP220 Smoke Air Purifier, as well. Obviously if you are cutting the uncuttable piece of wood you want to evacuate the smoke to the greatest extent possible. I cannot say enough good things about the AP220. I go upstairs and burn and haven’t since heard the lovely voice of my lovely wife scream, “IT STINKS DOWN HERE”.

You can use numbers, statistics, testing and all other metrics to measure success. It is what I DON’T hear around here that measures success. Anyway, here is a combination video of cutting along with the AP220.

I’m impressed with both the 48 watt module and the AP220. They are a great combination.

Wattage Discussion

Diode lasers are getting more and more powerful all the time. But they are still blue diode lasers. I have a 50 watt CO² laser but the wavelength is different and will cut and mark materials that a diode laser has trouble with. And vice versa.

You can have all the wattage in the world on a diode laser and still can’t deal with clear acrylic sheet with the best results. Know what you are buying folks. All that being said, if you need an awesome blue diode laser for what most people use a laser for, then the ACMER P3 is a darn fine choice. If you notice in the video the P3 is in my maker space. I get to review a lot of lasers. If one finds itself in that room on my tables that is my ultimate seal of approval. That I’m using it and not pushing it to the side to review the next thing.

I am here to tell you that I love this machine. It has all the evolutionary upgrades that lasers have gotten over the years, and then some.

Closing Thoughts

If you want to blast through some thick or difficult media with some laser beam-age, then you need power. The faster you can make that laser beam move while cutting with greater power the cleaner the cut you will get. I always see marketing stuff for a laser blasting through something thick. That’s cool, but go fast with high power and it simply does not have to drop on the 1st pass. That is where you will achieve your cleanest cuts.

Finally, just for fun I took a thermal cam and pointed it at 100% power output on the 48 watt module. 146.7℃ is HOT, HOT, HOT. Watch your fingers.

Seriously though, I love me some ACMER gear and from the bottom of my heart I can recommend this laser setup or this module upgrade.