Use the Laser Flat Mode of xTool F1 with XCS on a Mobile Phone

Updated Jan 31,2024

1. Place the material

Ensure that the removable baseplate is installed on the base, and place the material on the baseplate.

Note: If the size or weight of the material to be processed is very small, you are advised to use tools such as tape to fix the material. Otherwise, the airflow of the exhaust fan may cause the material to change position during processing.

To cut a material, you are advised to place the triangular prism working panel on the baseplate first. Then, place the material on top of the triangular prism working panel.

Note: By using the triangular prism working panel, you can reduce the areas burned during material processing and protect the baseplate. Ensure that the triangular prisms lie towards the smoke outlet.

There are two options available for the following steps.
To design a pattern and set parameters from scratch, please follow the procedure of "Option 1".
To use a previously saved project, please follow the procedure of "Option 2".

Option 1:

2. Design objects for processing

You can use the provided tools in the software to create or import processing patterns when creating a project. You can also take photos or select photos from the album of your phone and use them as processing patterns.

Create project

(1) On the home screen of XCS, tap Create project.

(2) Tap the canvas to go to the element designing and parameter setting screen.

(3) Use the tools on the bottom of the screen to import images, input text or insert shapes.

(4) After you finish designing, tap Back on the top-left corner of the screen.

Camera

(1) On the home screen of XCS, tap Camera.

(2) Take a photo of what you like. After you tap ✔, the photo will be imported to the canvas.

Note: You can edit the photo or insert text or shapes to the canvas.

Album

(1) On the home screen of XCS, tap Album.

(2) Select a photo from the album of your phone. Tap the photo to import it to the canvas.

Note: You can edit the photo or insert text or shapes to the canvas.

3. Select the processing mode and material name

(1) On the project screen, select Laser flat as the processing mode.

(2) Select the material you use.

Note:
If you can't find your material in the list, you can click + More to search among more materials in the xTool SELECTED online material center.
If you can't find the name of your material, you can select User-defined material.

Note:
If you select a material on the material list or xTool Selected online material center, the software will automatically set the laser mode, focus, and other parameters for laser processing.
The default settings apply to xTool materials. You can use the default settings, or adjust the settings based on your need.

4. Set the laser focus

xTool F1 supports manual focusing and auto-focusing. You can choose the focusing the way you like.

Note: To cut a material, you are advised to set the focus point at the middle of each cutting depth for the best cutting results.
For example, to cut a 6 mm thick basswood with one pass, it is recommended to set the focus point at 3 mm below the surface of the material. You can start by focusing on a 3 mm thick material. Then, do not change the focusing setting, and replace the material with the 6 mm basswood to be cut.

Manual focus setting

Turn the knob to move the laser module up and down. When the red and blue light spots coincide, the focus is successfully set.

Note: If you turn the knob clockwise, the laser module will move up, and the red light spot will move toward the left. If you turn the knob counterclockwise, the laser module will move down, and the red light spot will move toward the right.

Note: When the bottom of the laser module reaches the highest point, stop turning the knob up.

Auto focus setting

(1) Measure the material thickness.

(2) Enter your measurement in Thickness (mm). Then, the machine will automatically focus.

Note: If you are using Auto Focus for the first time after xTool F1 is turned on, you need to initialize xTool F1, so as to make its laser module back to the original position. Under Thickness, click Init, and then the laser module will go back to the original position.

5. Set parameters for processing

(1) Tap the canvas to go to the design editing and parameter setting screen.

(2) Select the objects in the canvas and set parameters for each object. The parameters that can be set for bitmap objects and vector objects are different.

For bitmaps

For vectors

(3) After setting parameters for each object, tap Back on the top-left corner of the screen.

6. Preview the processing area

(1) At the bottom of the screen, tap Process to go to the Preview screen. Check the processing pattern.

(2) At the bottom of the screen, tap Settings to set parameters for framing. After you finish setting, tap OK.

Note: xTool F1 supports two preview modes: Rect and Outline.
If you select Rect, you can preview the rectangular border of the processing area.
If you select Outline, you can preview the outline of the processing objects.

(3) Close the protective enclosure, and then click Framing in the software or press the framing button on xTool F1 to preview the processing area on the material. If the area is not ideal, you can adjust the material position or tap Go to canvas adjustment in the software to adjust the object positions. After adjustment, preview the processing area again.

Note: During framing, keep the protective enclosure closed or wear goggles that can shield laser beams of 455 nm and 1064 nm wavelengths.

Note: To stop framing, tap Stop framing in the software or press the framing button on xTool F1.

7. Start processing

Note: Using the infrared laser for bitmap engraving at a low temperature may lead to unsatisfying engraving results. To ensure better engraving results, you can preheat the laser module before processing.

(1) At the bottom of the screen, tap Start.

(3) Close the protective enclosure. Then, press the knob on xTool F1 to start processing.

Note: During laser processing, keep the protective enclosure closed or wear goggles that can shield laser beams of 455 nm and 1064 nm wavelengths.

Option 2:

2. Open a saved project

(1) On the home screen of XCS, tap My projects.

(2) Select a project from the list or tap Open project from File and select an xTool Creative Space Project (.xcs) file from your phone.

Note: A project file contains objects for processing and processing configurations for each object. You can adjust the objects and parameter settings before you start framing and processing.

3. Preview the processing area

(1) At the bottom of the screen, tap Process to go to the Preview screen. Check the processing pattern.

(2) At the bottom of the screen, tap Settings to set parameters for framing. After you finish setting, tap OK.

Note: xTool F1 supports two preview modes: Rect and Outline.
If selecting Rect, you can preview the rectangular border of the processing area.
If selecting Outline, you can preview the outline of the processing objects.

Note: During framing, keep the protective enclosure closed or wear goggles that can shield laser beams of 455 nm and 1064 nm wavelengths.

Note: To stop framing, tap Stop framing in the software or press the framing button on xTool F1.

4. Start processing

(1) At the bottom of the screen, tap Start.

(3) Close the protective enclosure. Then, press the knob on xTool F1 to start processing.

Note: During laser processing, keep the protective enclosure closed or wear goggles that can shield laser beams of 455 nm and 1064 nm wavelengths.

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