LASERS for Home Use
The first functioning laser was built in 1960. The word laser is an acronym for "light amplification by stimulated emission of radiation". Simply put, it is a beam of light focused to a tight spot. There are many types of lasers used in many applications including computers, barcode scanners, fiber-optics, surgical instruments, and firearms. Carbon dioxide (CO2) lasers are used for cutting and welding. There are two on the market (that I know of) that are designed and marketed for home and small business use. They can cut, score, and engrave a variety of materials including wood, paper, leather, acrylic, and fabric. They are small, affordable, and easy to use. Lasers can cut multiple layers of fabric in one run. Click below for more information on these products. I own a Glowforge Basic and you can get a discount when you purchase a Glowforge using this link. I have not used the xTool, but it appears to operate similar to the Glowforge. The xTool has a slightly larger cutting space. The information contained in this menu is based on the standard size Glowforge, but the information can be applied to the xTool laser as well. Glowforge came out with a smaller laser in 2023 called the Glowforge Aura which is very affordable. The cutting space is 12" x 12", whereas the original Glowforge is 19.5 x 11 inches.
Mechanical Cutting Machines
There are several machines on the market that use a straight blade or a rotary blade to cut materials. They include the Cricut Maker and the Brother ScanNCut. They have the ability to cut one layer of fabric or paper with each run. Simple designs with smooth edges and few turns cut very well. The blades do not cut intricate designs very well and may tear the material or damage the machine.