Laser engraving and cutting machines have rapidly improved in recent years, with manufacturers constantly developing new capabilities for desktop models. One such machine that has my attention is the WeCrete Vision 40W. I have had a chance to test this machine and believe I should share my experience with using the Vision 40W, why I think it is unique in today’s competitive market.
First Impressions and Unboxing
The WeCrete Vision 40W is a stylish piece of equipment. Its clean white exterior and bright orange top give it a professional yet approachable look. I loved its appearance right out of the box. However, the packaging wasn’t so lucky. The top of the box was crushed during shipping. Thankfully, the machine inside remained unharmed. To ensure future products arrive intact, consider using sturdier packaging.
Unboxing the WeCrete Vision 40W was a pleasant experience, as the components were neatly arranged. The laser engraver itself felt impressively sturdy, suggesting it’s built to last. Included in the box were various accessories and a concise quick start guide.
Key Specifications and Features
Before diving into performance, let’s take a look at what the WeCrete Vision 40W brings to the table:
- Laser Power: 40W diode laser
- Wavelength: 455 nanometers
- Maximum Speed: 600 mm/second
- Laser Spot Size: 0.09 x 0.10 mm
- Working Area: 400 x 270 mm (15.75″ x 10.63″)
- auto-lifting focus system: 0-140mm range
- Built-in HD Camera
- Air Assist: Included (30Kpa, 30L/min)
- Connectivity: Wi-Fi, USB
- Software Compatibility: WeCreat MakeIt! and LightBurn
- Safety Features: Class 1 laser enclosure
Setting Up and Getting Started
Setting up the WeCrete Vision 40W was relatively straightforward. The auto-lifting bed and built-in air assist were pre-installed, requiring minimal assembly. One of the first tasks was calibrating the HD camera, a process that proved to be simpler than expected. The machine guides you through engraving nine plus signs on a sheet of basswood, which the camera uses for alignment. Following the on-screen prompts made this typically tedious process quite manageable.
However, I did encounter a small hiccup with the camera’s performance on darker materials. The review unit struggled to detect edges and alignment marks on black or very dark surfaces. I found that adding extra lighting or using a contrasting background helped mitigate this issue, but it’s something to keep in mind for users working frequently with dark materials.
Pros & Cons
Pros ✅
+ Powerful 40W laser for thick material cutting
+ User-friendly software with pre-set parameters
+ Built-in HD camera for precise alignment
+ Auto-lifting bed for easy focus adjustment
+ Fully enclosed design for safety
+ Wi-Fi connectivity
+ Compatible with proprietary software and LightBurn
Cons 📛
– Camera struggles with dark materials
– Limited customization for one-click parameters
– Scratch-prone plastic lid
– Some smoke leakage during operation
– Slightly smaller working area than some competitors
Power Consumption
The WeCrete Vision 40W works with standard 100-240 volt AC power (50 or 60 Hz) and uses a maximum of 140 watts. This low power usage makes it ideal for home use without needing special electrical setups.
Weight and Dimensions
The WeCrete Vision 40W is very heavy. It weighs 19.34 kilograms without its box and about 29.4 kilograms when packed. It’s also quite big, it’s 589 x 531 x 253 millimeters at its smallest and 589 x 531 x 393 millimeters at its tallest. These measurements are important to consider when planning where to place the machine.
Speed and Efficiency
One area where the WeCrete Vision 40W really shines is its speed. Cutting at a maximum speed of 600mm/s, this laser is a speed demon compared to many others. Its impressive 20,000mm/s² acceleration lets you finish projects in record time.
Keep in mind that the actual cutting speed can change based on the material and design. For example, when cutting through thick 10mm basswood, a speed of about 6mm/s gave me the best results.
Performance: Cutting and Engraving
Now, Let’s dive into the heart of the matter: How does the WeCrete Vision 40W perform in real life? To get a full picture of its abilities, I tested the machine with a wide range of materials & projects.
Wood Engraving and Cutting
Basswood is a common material for laser projects. I started with this wood and was really happy with how the WeCrete Vision 40W worked. At full power and a speed of 15 mm/s, like the instructions said, the laser cut through 3mm thick basswood without any trouble. The cuts were clean and precise, though I did notice some minor charring along the edges. This was easily remedied by connecting the air assist, which I had initially forgotten to plug in (a rookie mistake!).
For engraving, I tested the machine by creating a detailed Star Trek Enterprise logo on basswood. With the air assist properly connected this time, the results were outstanding. The lines were crisp and clean, with minimal charring and excellent detail retention.
Moving on to thicker materials, I attempted cutting 6mm basswood. The WeCrete Vision 40W handled this challenge admirably, producing clean cuts with almost no charring. The thicker material also proved more resistant to warping, making it an excellent choice for more substantial projects.
Metal Engraving
To test the machine’s capabilities on metal, I used a laser marking spray on a stainless steel cup. After applying a light coat of the spray, I carefully adjusted the laser settings to achieve the best results. The WeCrete Vision 40W impressed me with its ability to create clear, sharp contrasts on the stainless steel surface. It’s important to note that the laser marks rather than engraves the metal, but the results were nonetheless striking.
I also tried engraving on an aluminum dog tag, which required inverting the image for better results. The WeCrete Vision 40W handled this task well, producing a clear and legible engraving.
Leather Cutting
One of the more demanding tests I put the WeCrete Vision 40W through was cutting 14 oz. leather for a crown project. The laser excelled at cutting through thick leather with incredible precision. This proves the machine can handle tougher materials, making it a versatile tool for various crafts and small businesses.
Software and User Interface
The WeCrete Vision 40W comes with its proprietary software, WeCreat MakeIt!, which offers a user-friendly interface for designing and executing laser projects. The software includes a feature called QuickView Matrix, which provides one-click settings for over 100 materials. This is particularly helpful for beginners or those looking to streamline their workflow.
During my testing, as for the pre-set parameters, I discovered that they are pretty good across the board but benefitted from slight adjustment. I would love for them to add the functionality where we can save our custom settings.
The software’s built-in camera is a game-changer. It helps you place designs accurately, cutting down on wasted material and alignment mistakes. While the laser works with LightBurn, the popular laser software, the camera feature isn’t supported yet. This might matter if you rely heavily on LightBurn.
Working Area and Material Compatibility
The WeCrete Vision 40W offers a working area of 400 x 270 mm (15.75″ x 10.63″), which is slightly smaller than some competitors but still adequate for most projects. It’s important to note that this is a reduction from the 20W version due to the larger laser module.
It can handle a wide range of materials including:
- Wood (various types including ashwood, basswood, cherrywood, and walnut)
- Acrylic
- Leather
- Cardboard
- Denim
- Felt
- Thin metal (for engraving)
- Many more
The maximum thickness for one-pass cutting varies by material:
- Ashwood: 13mm
- Basswood: 15mm
- Cherrywood: 18mm
- Walnut: 15mm
- Black Acrylic: 15mm
- Cardboard: 8mm
- Denim: 6mm
- Leather: 7mm
- Felt: 8mm
- Stainless Metal: 0.1mm (for engraving/marking)
Safety and Convenience Features
One aspect of the WeCrete Vision 40W that I particularly appreciated was its focus on safety and user convenience. The laser is fully enclosed, making it a safe Class 1 device. You don’t need safety goggles for normal use, which is great for classrooms or shared spaces.
The laser turns off by itself when you open the lid. This is good for safety, but it can be annoying if you need to do something fast.
The auto-lifting bed is another standout feature, automatically adjusting to ensure proper focus for materials of varying thicknesses. You don’t need to manually adjust the focus, which prevents mistakes and saves time.
Specification Chart:
| Specification | WeCreate Vision 40W |
|---|---|
| Laser Power | 40W |
| Working Area | 400 x 270mm (15.75″ x 10.63″) |
| Max Material Height | 140mm |
| Max Speed | 600mm/s |
| Connectivity | Wi-Fi, USB |
| Camera | Built-in HD |
| Auto-focus | Yes (0-140mm) |
| Air Assist | Included (30Kpa, 30L/min) |
| Supported Software | WeCreate MakeIt!, LightBurn |
| Supported File Types | jpg, jpeg, gif, png, bmp, svg, dxf, webp |
| Power Requirements | 100-240 VAC, 50/60 Hz, Max: 140W |
| Dimensions | 589 x 531 x 253-393mm |
| Weight | 19.34kg (net) |
The Built-in HD Camera
The WeCrete Vision 40W’s built-in HD camera is a game-changer. This is not some kind of a Gimmick this going to change your workflow. By dramatically reducing material waste, this powerful tool offers significant benefits. The camera provides a live view of your workspace, making it effortless to align your designs perfectly on the material.
However, I did encounter a few hiccups with the camera system. Initially, there were some calibration issues, particularly when working with darker materials. I found that adding some extra lighting or using a contrasting background helped the camera detect the work surface more accurately. Once properly calibrated, the alignment was spot-on, with accuracy to less than 1mm.
Pass-through Capability
An important feature I didn’t mention earlier is the optional auto pass-through conveyor. This attachment allows for working with materials up to 145.67″ long, significantly expanding the machine’s capabilities for larger projects.
Rotary Engraving
The WeCrete Vision 40W comes with a spot for a rotary attachment, which I found easy to install and use. To test this feature, I engraved a design on a black tumbler. The process was straightforward, requiring only that I flip the image to the correct orientation in the software. The results were impressive, with the engraving wrapping smoothly around the cylindrical surface.
Air Assist and Exhaust System
The built-in air assist system activates automatically during cutting operations, helping to clear debris and improve cut quality. However, I did notice some smoke leakage when using the machine with a fume extractor. This could potentially be due to the small exhaust fan on the back of the unit. For best results, I’d recommend venting the exhaust to an external source, especially when working with materials that produce a lot of smoke or fumes.
Long-term Considerations and Maintenance
After extended use, I found that the WeCrete Vision 40W held up well. The linear rails and belts showed no signs of wear, and the laser module maintained its performance. However, I did notice that the plastic lid, while laser-safe, is prone to scratches.The lid could be made better by using a stronger material, like hard plastic or glass, in the next version.
Maintenance is relatively straightforward, with the most frequent task being cleaning the lens and mirror. The included maintenance kit provides all the necessary tools for this, and the process is well-documented in the user manual.
Additional Accessories
Apart from the rotary attachment, there are several other accessories available for the WeCrete Vision 40W:
- 2W Switchable Infrared Laser Module: This allows for engraving on a wider range of materials, especially metals and some plastics.
- Fume Extractor: While I mentioned some issues with smoke management, this optional accessory can significantly improve air quality during operation.
- Booster Fan: This can be used to upgrade the exhaust system for more effective outdoor ventilation.
User Feedback
Based on early user reviews, many users appreciate the machine’s ease of use and the quality of its output. However, some have reported issues with the power switch failing after several uses, requiring them to unplug the unit after each use. This is something potential buyers should be aware of and monitor.
These additional points provide a more comprehensive view of the WeCrete Vision 40W’s capabilities and considerations. They complement the earlier review to give a fuller picture of what users can expect from this laser engraver.
Who Is It For?
The WeCrete Vision 40W is a versatile machine that caters to a wide range of users. Its ease of use and safety features make it an excellent choice for beginners or educational settings. The auto-focus and built-in camera make laser engraving easy, even for beginners. You can get professional results quickly.
The WeCrete Vision 40W is also great for experienced users, with plenty of power and features. It can cut through thick materials quickly and accurately, making it perfect for growing businesses or dedicated hobbyists.
Conclusion
The WeCrete Vision 40W is a powerful, stripped-down desktop laser engraver that’s making waves in the market. This minimalist machine offers professional-level performance with user-friendly operation. Its Core XY setup is impressively fast, appealing to both beginners and experienced users alike.
This device boasts several notable features. It includes a high-definition camera with sub-millimeter accuracy, an auto-lifting bed accommodating materials from 1mm to 140mm thick, and a robust 40W laser capable of cutting through various materials effortlessly. Its versatility allows it to handle delicate paper and thick leather with equal precision.
It’s not perfect, though. The camera can have trouble with dark materials, and the software could be more customizable. But these are minor bumps in the road, and the machine still shines overall.
The WeCrete Vision 40W is a great fit for hobbyists who want to level up, small businesses needing a reliable tool, or schools looking for a safe and user-friendly engraver. It balances power, precision, and ease of use, making it a strong contender in the market.
Remember, research is key! Make sure this engraver meets your needs. Based on testing, I believe it can bring creative ideas to life for many users. It’s a worthy addition to our top 3D printer list and has the potential to make a real impact.
FAQs:
Is WeCreate a good laser?
WeCreate offers a compact yet powerful laser with auto-lifting and automated focus, suitable for various materials. Its high-resolution camera and optional fume extractor make it ideal for both beginners and experienced users seeking a quality, well-priced machine.
What is the difference between WeCreate 20W and 40W?
The 40W model is best suited to thicker materials like wood, acrylics and leather. The 20W version features a finer laser spot, which again is better for material mid-thickness and provides more detailed engraving.
How big is the WeCreate Vision?
The WeCreate Vision measures 589 x 531 x 253mm (lowest setting) to 589 x 531 x 393mm (highest setting).
Can the WeCreate Vision 40W engrave metal?
Yes, it can engrave and mark metals, especially with the use of marking spray. For direct metal engraving, the optional 2W IR laser module is recommended.
Is the WeCreate Vision 40W suitable for beginners?
Absolutely, Its simple design, automatic focus, and built-in camera make it perfect for beginners. Even experts can use its special features.
What maintenance does the WeCreate Vision 40W require?
Regular lens and work area cleaning, periodic part lubrication, and good ventilation are essential maintenance steps. The laser module is replaceable when needed.
Robb Koch is a USA tech journalist focused on laser engravers and other tech tools. He delivers concise, insightful reviews that help readers make informed decisions. Koch’s work spans the United States, Europe, and Asia, keeping users up-to-date on the latest advancements in the field.
Feel free to reach out to me at i.robbkoch@gmail.com.
