Wainlux K10 Mini - Laser engraving at home, easy!

The Wainlux K10 Mini is a they make laser engraving learnable and accessible to every mortal on earth. The machine they are going to present now was created with these goals in mind, and its use can be learned in hours, essentially for anyone. Of course, simplicity does not only have advantages, but you will be able to read about it in this article!

Watch my video presentation, if you like it, subscribe to my channel!

Introduction - Wainlux K10 Mini

In my last Wainlux test, which included the K8 engraver and the associated extractor, I said that the machine is the easiest machine to use that I have come across so far. He made laser work accessible to many, but we had to pay a pretty hefty price in return.

In this article, I have to introduce you to the Wainlux K10 Mini, which is even simpler, even smaller, and fortunately much cheaper than the K8.

This machine is designed for people who don't want to use lasers professionally, but sometimes have a key chain or a small souvenir at home that they would like to make themselves, making use of their creative energy. The Wainlux K10 Mini is so simple that you don't even need glasses. Setting up the machine is child's play, just as no one will complain about the software.

I won't waste any more words, let's see the specifications of the Wainlux K10 Mini, and before that a few sentences about how the laser works!

The technology used in laser engraving is as follows:

Laser engraving machines have a high-intensity, so-called solid-state laser, which is usually a diode laser or a frequency-converted Nd:YAG laser. These lasers emit highly focused, high-energy-density, high-frequency light. Diode lasers typically emit 808 or 980 nm infrared light, while frequency-converted Nd:YAG lasers typically emit 532 nm green or 355 nm ultraviolet light. This high energy density, practically parallel, coherent beam of light is so intense that it can be absorbed at a small point on the surface of the material and vaporize the material, thus creating the desired pattern of the engraving.

The laser is focused through a lens system that concentrates the light beam into a very small focal point. The lens system often includes a movable focusing mechanism that allows the user to focus the laser at the correct distance from the engraved workpiece. The engraving depth can be controlled by adjusting the laser power and irradiation time.

So the point is that the laser does not cut the material or carve a pattern in the material in the classical sense, but simply vaporizes the material. Due to precise work and the achievement of detailed designs, it is extremely important that the focus of the laser is as small as possible.

For different machines, manufacturers also provide a performance value. This often causes confusion, because some dealers give the power absorbed by the machines (in watts), while others correctly state the output power of the laser. The latter is what determines what we will be able to use the given machine for.

As a rule of thumb, 2,5-3 watt machines are suitable for engraving softer materials or cutting cardboard. With the 5-watt machines, we can cut even thinner 3-millimeter plywood. At 10 watts, it will be possible to cut even 5 mm plywood, but we can even engrave steel. Above 10 watts, the limits are pushed more and more, today's most powerful machines with an optical power of up to 70 watts can even compete with traditional CO lasers.

Let's see what the Wainlux K10 Mini can do!

Specification

The Wainlux K10 Mini, as the name suggests, has a rather small structure. A 20 x 20 x 22 centimeter cube can weigh one and a half to two kilos. It follows from the small size that the surface to be engraved cannot be too large either, we can manage with only 10 x 10 cm, which makes it clear that we will not be able to print patterns that fill entire walls with this machine.

The exact size of the focus is not given by the manufacturer, the light is usually not focused in a square shape, so we usually get a smaller and a larger value than the length of the sides of the laser focus. Of course, we are talking about very low values ​​here. In the case of the Wainlux K10 Mini, the manufacturer says that this value is 0.01mm. This is absolutely not true, because it could be 0,01 x 0,01 or 0,01 x 0,02 millimeters or similar. So, you cannot express the side boundaries of an area with a single number, you should enter at least two values ​​for this. Anyway, let's move on!

The machine will be produced in two versions, at the time of the presentation the one with an output power of 3 watts is available, but in principle there will also be a version with 5 watts. It arrived at me a month and a half before the presentation, of course the 3-watt machine.

We can't find out much about the machine, the data sheet states that there are good small stepper motors and a 32-bit controller (MCU). From software, we can use CutLabX, which is great for beginners, or LaserGRBL, which is excellent for advanced users. the latter requires a little practice, I e.g. I also use this with larger machines.

The design of the Wainlux K10 Mini is not very interesting, it is like a high tech helmet with a flip-up helmet grill. Let's say it would be small for my head. The laser head moves in a relatively small path under the cover. The focus is fixed and can be adjusted for materials of different thicknesses by rotating the lens.

You can keep in touch with your computer via USB, and if you can also connect via WiFi in the CutLabX software, you need WiFi in order to use all the options.

Perhaps the most interesting part of the machine is what is missing. That is, the bottom. Because there is no bottom. I thought a lot about how stupid this is, because that way, if you don't set the material to be engraved exactly, you will be engraving on the table.

After that, of course, I found out the reason for the lack, but more on that later!

All in all, the machine itself doesn't have many special features in terms of specifications, well, but the experience part will reveal what's good about it!

Experiences

I'll start with the software called CutlabX. I will not discuss the installation, it is completely simple, those who have already installed a program under Windows will get by with it.

After starting, if we have registered, we will immediately receive an army of engraveable patterns, a 3D puzzle that can be cut out, which is not the case with the K8, which also indicates that you will not be cutting with this machine. We have to buy the models anyway, the prices are $0, that is, they are free. If you "buy" one of them, the Buy button changes to Use, which means you can use it.

You now have two options, either Use or "Click to start creation", both will take you to the same interface, only in the case of Use, the "purchased" sample will be loaded immediately.

The next task is to create the USB connection, this will definitely be needed. If we connected it to our computer and turned on the Wainlux K10 Mini, we have to select the port in the lower right corner, it was Com4 for me, and we have to push the Connect button.

When we're done with that, you can set up the Wifi, you'll need that too. If the USB connection is established, a Set Wifi button will appear next to Connect. By clicking on this, you can set the name of the Wifi in a small window and enter the password for the wifi. If this is also done, the program and the machine must be restarted.

I note here that in the case of the K10, I don't see much sense in Wi-Fi. With the K8, due to some strange design anomaly, the camera image could only be seen when we used the wifi connection, it did not work via USB. But the Wainlux K10 Mini doesn't have a camera, so I didn't use the Wi-Fi myself, there was no reason.

The program is very simple and we can access all the important settings. When starting out, what will be important for you is adjusting the speed and strength of the head. You can move the head with small buttons, there is a console where you can see the currently running commands, you can run and save Gcode files, you can adjust the strength in the case of graphics, so the important things are here, simply and transparently.

So this part of the matter can be unchecked, CutLabX will be a friend for beginners!

Again, it's not complicated to use. He didn't put the Wainlux camera in this machine, like in the K8, I miss it a bit, because if it was, we would engrave it in the right place and not in the table.

Anyway, turning back to this bottomless solution, the thing is really meaningless at first. I immediately looked for a metal tray for the test so as not to engrave on the table. But, the thing also makes sense, not a little. This meaning is that only small objects can fit in the small machine, but any object of any size can fit under the machine. Let's say a phone back, if you want to engrave an emblem on it. But, you can even engrave the center of your dining table. Or on the wall, if you are so perverted that you also engrave instead of wallpaper.

So, the bottom line is that if you buy the machine, make sure you have a thick hardwood board, or a metal tray, or something at your disposal when you start using it, for sure, just so you don't damage the table.

What is also very good, and it was designed for beginners, is that you don't need goggles to use it. The fact is that the light of the laser damages the cornea, but not only the direct light, but also the reflected light, so it is no coincidence that glasses are added to the larger machines. In the case of the Wainlux K10 Mini, on the other hand, the fold-down plexiglass stands in the way of both direct and reflected light.

For safety reasons, the engraving only starts when the plexiglass is folded down.

Before I forget, on the back of the machine, in addition to the power connector and the Type C connector for connecting to a PC, we also find a card reader and a USB A connector. The latter, as it turned out, can be used for a glass turner, which can be optionally purchased for the machine. Interesting. GCODE files can be placed on the card, and the machine's software can be updated from here. Oh, and of course, we shouldn't forget that using the card, the machine is also suitable for offline work, that is, in principle, you don't even need a computer. Franco!

One more thing that should not be forgotten is that the mini smoke extractor supplied with the K8 can also be used with the Wainlux K10 Mini. Well, I really like that!

What is it like to work with the machine?

I already wrote about the CutLabX software in detail in my previous Wainlux test, so I can mostly repeat myself. A little too smelly for me, too user-friendly, if you know what I mean. Basically, I can find all the settings that are essential for use, but for me, functionality is more important than the fact that large labels, tabs, and colorful figures dot the interface. But for beginners, this is undoubtedly the better option!

Those who are just starting to get to know laser engraving, may not have the goal of delving into it more seriously later on, all they need is to sometimes make one-on-one decorations and engravings, CutLabX will be perfect for them. More perfect than perfect!

It is completely transparent, the functions are neatly arranged in different tabs, so you can't get lost in the settings. Perhaps only the USB setting can be a problem, but it is only to the extent that we have to select which port we want to use from a drop-down menu (e.g. com3).

The free samples available after registration are nice and cute, they will be good for warm-up and first jobs. Since 3 watts won't be enough for cutting, we only get patterns that can be engraved, so that's enough, you don't need more.

So the software is good, and it is necessary, because the machine itself is very simple. You fold up the plexiglass, place the workpiece. Next to folded Plexiglas, you can see a small blue dot of light on the workpiece, this marks the upper left corner of the pattern to be engraved. This is necessary so that you can set up the workpiece, at least roughly know where your pattern will be.

When you are done with this, by pressing the preview button in the software, the laser runs along the edges of the sample, so you can set the workpiece exactly so that the sample does not hang anywhere. When you're done with that, you can adjust the laser strength and the speed of the head. If you are ready with this, then the work can begin.

Summary – Wainlux K10 Mini

The most important question of this chapter is who the Wainlux K10 Mini will be good for. Although, on second thought, if you've read this far, I think you already know.

The Wainlux K10 Mini is the absolute entry level. Not because it's so bad, but because you can work with it in a relatively small area. Its performance is sufficient for occasional work. However, the quality is not the same as that of an entry-level machine, but it is much better. In other words, this is actually not a very cheap, entry-level machine, it is simply a structure capable of engraving in good quality, which was invented so that it can be used even without prior training and serious professional knowledge.

The size of the focus is small enough to create works with delicate designs, and the strength of the laser is enough to engrave graphics in many shades on soft materials, wood, leather, and cardboard.

All in all, the Wainlux K10 Mini will be a great choice for those who don't want to spend a lot on an engraver, don't want to be professionals on the subject, but don't want to buy crap either. They will love this machine!

At the end of the purchasing options!

You can buy the Wainlux K10 Mini from three stores, but the cheapest is from the manufacturer's store, because there because of the presentation (this was yesterday, Wednesday, May 15) the HOC-HU you can buy it for ~61 forints with a coupon code.

The price on Amazon is HUF 93, and on Aliexpress it is HUF 600 including delivery. So, according to him, use the coupon code you received for my article in the manufacturer's store!

Wainlux K10 Mini Engraver - Wainlux Store

Wainlux K10 Mini Engraver - Amazon

Wainlux K10 Mini Engraver - Aliexpress

More similar articles on our site

Wainlux K10 Mini - Specifications:

• Engraving size: 80 * 80mm
• Engraving accuracy: 0,01mm
• Heat dissipation method: air cooling
• Engraving height: less than 50mm (3W), less than 40mm (5W)
• Design of laser eye protection: with a completely closed, transparent window design

Wainlux K10 Mini – Focusing method:

• 1,3W button type focusing, 20-120mm, optimal focus distance 50mm;
• 2,5W fixed focus needle focusing 40mm, dovetail groove slides the laser up and down.
• Laser stability: The driver board, laser box, heat sink, etc. it is reasonably designed, and the optical and electrical performance is stable.

Wainlux K10 Mini – Other Capabilities:

• Data transfer: USB to serial port wired transfer, WiFi wireless transfer.
• Operating voltage: 100-240V/50-60HZ (mains adapter)
• Machine input voltage: (1,6W) DC12V 4A (3W)
• Motor: 35 stepper motor
• Motor drive: stepper motor drive chip
• Processor: Processor: 32-bit high-speed MCU
• Characteristic: The relationship between computer processors and processors:

Wainlux K10 Mini - Security Capabilities:

1. FDA certified laser level CLASS 1, fully enclosed structure, the machine does not emit laser when the protective cover is opened to prevent laser leakage.
2. The safety protection design of the micro-opening induction shield, the machine will not work when the shield is opened, it is suitable for different groups (elderly and children, especially professionals and non-professionals, science and education).

Wainlux K10 Mini – Extras:

1. The machine has its own extraction fan and can be connected to an external cleaner.
2. The transparent orange protective cover makes it easy to see the real-time engraving inside
3. It can be started and stopped with one click and supports offline engraving.
4. The power cable and the computer cable are placed behind the machine, which is organized and does not take up space.
5. 3W and 5W lasers are optional, so users can easily change lasers.
6. Quiet design, low noise level
7. The machine is compact, takes up no space and is easy to move.

Wainlux K10 Mini - Optional accessories

1. Protective plate, L-shaped positioner
2. Cleaner
3. MD19 rotary module, the maximum engraving cylinder diameter is 60mm (3W)/85mm (1,6W) (raise the machine to the second level, press and hold the engraving button for 8 seconds, and the micro switch of the protective cover is shielded).

Wainlux K10 Mini – Software:

• CutLabX software platform (computer application + mobile application),
• GRBL Software Platform (PC Application)