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MetalFab Laser Welder FAQs
Updated Apr 25,2025
Updated Apr 25,2025
Getting to know the machine
Q1: What do the colors of the X indicator mean?
Status | Status indicator | Buzzer |
| Solid white | |
Ready for laser emission. You can press the trigger on the welding head to emit laser beams. | Blinking green slowly | |
Emitting laser. | Solid green | |
Exceptions occur or device malfunctions. | Solid red | Three consecutive beeps |
Q2: What are the functions of different copper nozzles?
Welding copper nozzle (the default copper nozzle installed on the welding head) |  | Purpose: Primarily used for welding tasks that require filler material, suitable for welding thicker materials or scenarios where enhanced weld seam strength is needed. Applicable Scenarios: Thick plate welding, high-strength welding, wide gap welding, repair welding, etc. |
Welding nozzle (for autogenous welding) |  | Purpose: Suitable for welding tasks that do not require filler material, typically used for thin sheet welding or precision welding. Applicable Scenarios: Thin sheet welding, precision welding, decorative welding, etc. |
Cleaning nozzle |  | Purpose: Used for cleaning oxides, impurities, or residues in the welding area to ensure welding quality. Applicable Scenarios: Surface treatment before welding, weld seam cleaning, rust removal, etc. |
Cutting tip |  | Purpose: Used for cutting metal materials. Applicable Scenarios: Metal sheet cutting (only capable of maintaining a cut; the finish of handheld cutting edges is relatively difficult to control). |
How to replace the cutting tip:
How to replace the copper nozzle or the cleaning nozzle:
Q3: What does the wire feed enable switch on the welding head do?
A: The wire feeding enable switch provides temporary control over the welding machine's wire feeding function. This allows users to stop wire feeding during processing without having to adjust the settings on the welding machine's screen, improving user experience.
- When both the screen's "Wire Feed Enable" and the torch's "Wire Feed Enable" are on, the torch will feed wire while emitting light.
- If either "Wire Feed Enable" is off, the torch will not feed wire while emitting light.
Q4: Can one person lift Metalfab Laser Welder?
A: The main unit weighs 38.2 kg, and the wire feeder is 13.2 kg (excluding wire). While one person can lift it, assistance is recommended for ease and safety.
Using with the Wire Feeder
Q1: Do I always need a wire feeder for welding?
A: Wire feeder and filler wire are not always needed. For thin materials (under 1 mm) or when welding small gaps, the base metal can be melted directly, using autogenous welding.
Q2: How do I choose the right wire for different materials?
Materials | Grades | Recommended Wire | Shielding Gas |
Stainless Steel | 304 Stainless Steel | 308L | Nitrogen / Argon |
316 Stainless Steel | 316L | ||
430 Stainless Steel | 309L | ||
Carbon Steel | Q235, 20# | ER70S-6 | |
45# | ER50-6 | ||
Galvanized Steel Plate | DX51D, DX52D | ER70S-G / ER70S-6 | |
Aluminum | 1060 | 6061 | |
Brass | H62 | S221 |
Q3: Is the wire feeder compatible with different wire diameters (0.8mm, 1.0mm)?
A: Yes. Please select the appropriate wire feed rollers based on the diameter of the wire being used, ensuring both rollers are the same size.
The wire feed rollers support wire diameters of 0.8mm, 1.0mm, 1.2mm, and 1.6mm.
Important: The roller tensioners must be adjusted to the correct position for each wire diameter.
Q4: How do I retract the wire properly?
A: Make sure you follow these steps when you're retracting the wire:
- Open the side door of the wire feeder.
- While pressing the retraction button, rotate the wire spool (If the wire spool is not tightened, the wires will loosen).
- When the wire is about to come out of the wire-feeding rollers, be sure to pinch the wire by hand to prevent the wires from scattering because there will be no force from the feeding rollers once the wire is out.
Operation & processing tips
Q1: Do I need a license or certification to operate MetalFab Laser Welder?
A: No additional certification is required. However, we strongly recommend users complete our basic safety training about laser welding operations to ensure using the machine safely.
Q2: Is prior welding experience required?
A: No. The machine is beginner-friendly and easy to operate.
Q3: Can xTool MetalFab Laser Welder be used in wet environments or underwater?
A: Yes, but immerse only the copper nozzle of the welding head can be submerged. Keep the rest of the welding head dry, as it is not waterproof.
Q4: Can xTool MetalFab Laser Welder be used for marking or engraving?
A: No.
Q5: Can xTool MetalFab Laser Welder detect defects like cracks in real time during welding?
A: No, real-time defect detection is not supported.
Q6: What shielding gas should I use, and what’s the recommended flow rate?
Gas type | Nitrogen Argon | Notes |
|---|---|---|
Laser Welding | Recommended gas flow rate: 10L/min ~ 15L/min | When the gas supply pathway remains unchanged, the pressure and flow rate maintain a fixed correlation.
|
Laser Cleaning | Recommended gas flow rate: 10L/min ~ 15L/min | |
Laser Cutting | Recommended gas pressure: 600 ~ 800kPa |
Q7: How do I set the Scan width for the welding head?
A: Set the Scan width based on material characteristics and joint requirements:
- Material Properties
- High thermal conductivity (Aluminum, Copper): Use wider oscillation (typically 1.0-2.0mm) to distribute heat and prevent localized overheating
- Low thermal conductivity (Stainless Steel): Narrower oscillation (0.3-0.8mm recommended) concentrates energy for proper penetration
- Joint Gap Requirements
- Narrow joints (<0.5mm gap): Small scan width (0.5-1.0mm) maintains focused energy density
- Wide joints (>1.0mm gap): Wider oscillation (1.5-3.0mm) ensures full coverage and uniform fusion
Q8: What should I do if filler wire sticks during welding?
To resolve filler wire adhesion, you can:
- Increase the laser shutdown delay time;
- Or decrease the Re-feeding delay.
Q9: Why does black smoke appear during welding?
A: Black smoke during welding can result from several factors:
- Material Properties: Some materials—especially aluminum alloys—are more prone to generating smoke due to their sensitivity and composition.
- Surface Contamination: Oil films, grease, or oxide layers on the material's surface can increase smoke production during welding.
- Welding Wire: Standard welding wires not designed for laser welding may produce more fumes. Low-fume wires are recommended for cleaner welds.
- Welding Technique: Incorrect torch angles, inadequate shielding gas flow rates, or improper power settings can lead to incomplete gas coverage, leading to more smoke.
- Damaged Lens: A damaged lens can scatter the laser beam or arc energy, increasing smoke and reducing overall weld quality.
Q10: Can I manually fine-tune welding parameters?
A: Yes, xTool MetalFab Laser Welder 1200W allows users to manually fine-tune welding parameters. For more control, switch to Advanced Mode and enable the Professional option to customize settings according to your specific requirements.
Q11: Will continuous use cause laser power to drop due to overheating?
A: No, xTool MetalFab Laser Welder 1200W is designed to maintain stable power output for extended periods under normal operating conditions. Power degradation will not occur during processing.
Q12: Does Metalfab Laser Welder support remote diagnostics and fault alerts?
A: No, these features are not supported.
Q13: Can I import design files like SVG or DXF?
A: No. This is a handheld tool with its own operating system and does not support external file imports.
Q14: Can Metalfab Laser Welder export logs or processing data?
A: No, the machine does not support data export.
Welding different materials
Q1: Is laser welding as strong as traditional arc welding (TIG/MIG)?
A: Laser welding typically matches or exceeds the strength of traditional TIG or MIG methods. It creates a smaller heat-affected zone, produces deeper and narrower welds, and forms finer-structured seams. These characteristics result in superior performance and structural integrity compared to conventional welding techniques.
Q2: How can I find the best settings for welding materials of different thicknesses?
A: xTool MetalFab Laser Welder 1200w defaults to Standard mode upon startup. In this mode, users can simply select material type, thickness, and wire diameter to begin welding--ideal for quick setup. For more experienced users seeking greater control, switching to Advanced mode unlocks additional parameter settings, allowing fine-tuning based on specific welding needs.
Q3: Can laser welding achieve the same penetration depth as traditional methods when welding 5 mm stainless steel?
A: With appropriate process parameters, xTool MetalFab Laser Welder 1200W can typically achieve a penetration depth of 5mm or even deeper. The specific penetration depth depends on factors such as the set laser power, welding speed, and focal position.
Q4: How can I prevent porosity when laser welding aluminum alloys?
A: To avoid porosity, you should pay attention to these things:
- Material Preparation: Thoroughly clean the aluminum surface to remove oxide layers and contaminants. Ensure the material is completely dry before welding.
- Parameter Settings: Increase wire feed speed as needed to optimize the welding process and prevent gas entrapment.
- Gas Selection: Use argon as the preferred shielding gas for welding aluminum. While nitrogen can be used under normal conditions, argon is more effective in reducing porosity in this application.
Q5: Can xTool MetalFab Laser Welder weld or cut titanium and magnesium alloys?
A: Yes, and you will need argon gas when processing titanium.
Q6: How do I prevent zinc layer evaporation and contamination when welding galvanized steel?
A: To minimize zinc vaporization and contamination during welding, implement these measures:
- Laser power and welding parameters control
- Reduce laser power: Use appropriately lowered power settings
- Optimize welding speed: Maintain proper speed to avoid heat concentration
- Shielding Gas Protection
- Use Argon/Nitrogen: These inert gases prevent oxidation and reduce zinc fumes
- Adjust gas flow: Ensure sufficient, stable coverage of the weld zone
- Zinc Layer Pre-treatment
- Local zinc removal: Mechanically grind or chemically strip zinc from weld areas
- Laser ablation: Pre-clean with low-power laser to remove zinc coating
- Ventilation & Safety
- Install fume extraction: Effectively remove hazardous zinc oxide particles
- Wear proper PPE:
- Respiratory protection (NIOSH-approved masks)
- Laser safety goggles
Upgrades & integration
Q1: Can I upgrade the laser power or firmware? What are the costs?
A: MetalFab Laser Welder's laser power cannot be increased, but you can freely update the firmware using xTool Creative Space (XCS).
Q2: Can I use Metalfab Laser Welder on the same circuit as other welding machines?
A: To ensure safety and prevent electrical overload, we recommend operating this laser welder on a separate circuit from other welding equipment.
Q3: Does MetalFab Laser Welder support multi-axis synchronization, such as with robots?
A: Currently, MetalFab Laser Welder 1200W only supports MetalFab CNC Cutter, and is not compatible with third-party multi-axis systems.
Q4: Will future versions support multiple laser heads working together?
A: No, there are currently no plans to support this feature.
Security
Q1: Is MetalFab Laser Welder safe to use?
A: MetalFab Laser Welder includes multiple safety features such as a safety circuit loop, USB key lock, emergency stop button, and the Grip sensing button on the welding head to ensure safe and controlled operation.
Q2: Is MetalFab Laser Welder environmentally compliant?
A: Yes. It meets all required certifications and offers greater environmental benefits than traditional welding due to its cleaner laser process.
Q3: Does MetalFab Laser Welder exceed typical industrial noise levels?
A: When operating at full power, MetalFab Laser Welder generates noise levels above 90 dB, which exceeds standard industrial thresholds. Prolonged exposure at this level may affect hearing, so we strongly recommend wearing hearing protection during operation.
Q4: Is the emergency stop mechanism reliable?
A: xTool MetalFab Laser Welder 1200W features a certified emergency stop button. Once pressed, it immediately cuts off power to the laser for enhanced operational safety.
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