If you are confused about what a laser air assist is, this post is for you! Find out what it does and why you should always use it. If you are shopping for a laser, make sure you include air assist. Some lasers come with it and for others, you will need to purchase separately.
What is a Laser Air Assist?
Air assist is high-pressured air that is blown between the laser and the material during the cutting and engraving process.
Some lasers come with it installed. If your laser doesn't come with it, you can usually purchase it separately and add it.
Why is it Important?
With air assist installed, the quality of your cuts and engraving will be better without changing any other settings.
Air assist can also help with laser safety. Because air is being blown on the material, it helps remove dust and debris, reducing the risk of fire. It also helps cool the material, reducing warping.
Comparing Air Assist vs. No Air Assist
Cutting and engraving the same material with and without air assist produces an obvious difference.
Without air assist, there is a lot more charring and discoloration on the cut lines. The engraving is also more consistent, darker, and looks more professional when you use air assist for your laser crafting.
The xTool S1 laser does not come with an air assist installed, so it makes a good example here. You can purchase it in a bundle with the S1 or buy it separately. Either way, you will need to install the air assist to the laser.
If you are using a different laser, check the manual to see if it already has air assist installed.
Setting Up Air Assist
The xTool air assist is its own separate unit and comes with an air hose and a power cord. There is a dial to adjust the settings — setting it to Auto allows it to automatically detect what it needs to do.
On the bottom of the unit, there are packing materials that need to be removed. It also comes with an air filter installed and a replacement filter included.
Plug the power cord into the back of the box and then into the wall. Next, plug one end of the air hose into the unit and the other end into the laser.
Inside the compartment where the air filter is located, there is a wireless dongle. This allows the air assist to communicate with the xTool S1. Install the dongle into the laser and when you start the laser, it will automatically connect to the air assist — no additional steps required.
Should You Use an Air Assist with Your Laser?
The difference in cuts and engraving quality when using air assist is noticeable. If you are looking for professional finished products, air assist is well worth it.
Do be aware that if you purchase your air assist unit separately, you will need multiple outlets available. For example, running the xTool S1 requires three outlets: one for the laser, one for the filter, and one for the air assist. Lasers that come with air assist already installed do not need a separate plug, as it is powered by the laser itself.
Air assist is an essential tool in laser crafting. If you have any additional questions, leave them in the comments!
