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xTool F1 Ultra Learning Center — Guides, Settings & Tutorials

Everything you need to get the most out of your F1 Ultra, from first-time setup to advanced parameter tuning for specific materials.

Getting Started

New to the F1 Ultra? Follow these steps to go from unboxing to your first engraving in under two hours.

1

Unbox & Position

Place the F1 Ultra on a stable, level surface. Connect the power cable and USB. The machine weighs approximately 18kg, so two people are recommended for unpacking. Ensure 30cm clearance on all sides for ventilation.

2

Install Software

Download xTool Creative Space from the official xTool website (Windows/macOS). Connect your machine via USB or Wi-Fi. The software will automatically detect the F1 Ultra and load the correct machine profile, including material presets.

3

Set Focus & Frame

Place your workpiece inside the enclosure. Use the built-in camera to preview your design position. The auto-focus function sets the correct focal distance for the selected laser source. Frame your design on-screen before committing.

4

Engrave & Iterate

Start with a small test area using the material preset. Examine the result, then adjust speed and power if needed. The touchscreen displays real-time progress. Keep the lid closed during operation — the interlock disables lasers if opened.

Material Parameter Reference

Starting parameters for common materials. These are guidelines based on testing with specific material samples — your results may vary depending on exact alloy composition, surface finish, and material thickness. Always run a small test area first.

Fiber Laser (20W / 1064nm) — Metal & Hard Materials

Material Operation Speed (mm/s) Power (%) Passes Notes
Stainless Steel 304 Surface Mark 800 - 1200 60 - 80 1 High-contrast dark mark. Clean surface with isopropyl alcohol before marking.
Stainless Steel 304 Color Mark 100 - 400 30 - 50 1 Polished surface required. Frequency 30-80kHz produces different colors. Requires experimentation.
Aluminum (bare) Surface Mark 600 - 1000 70 - 90 1-2 Low contrast on bare aluminum. Consider anodizing first for visible marks.
Anodized Aluminum Anodize Removal 1000 - 2000 40 - 60 1 Removes anodize layer revealing white base metal. Excellent contrast on black anodized parts.
Brass Surface Mark 400 - 800 70 - 90 1-2 Brass is more reflective than steel. Multiple passes may be needed for depth.
Titanium Surface/Color 200 - 600 40 - 70 1 Produces vivid color marks at lower speeds. Grade 2 and Grade 5 respond well.
Glass (soda-lime) Frosted Engrave 200 - 500 20 - 40 2-3 Use multiple light passes rather than single heavy pass to prevent cracking.

Diode Laser (2W / 455nm) — Organic & Non-Metal Materials

Material Operation Speed (mm/s) Power (%) Passes Notes
Birch Plywood (3mm) Engrave 1000 - 2000 40 - 60 1 Clean, light brown engraving. Lower power prevents excessive charring.
Walnut Engrave 800 - 1500 30 - 50 1 Dark wood requires less power. Test on scrap — walnut density varies significantly.
Bamboo Engrave 1000 - 1800 40 - 55 1 Good contrast. Grain direction affects appearance — run test along and across grain.
Vegetable-Tanned Leather Engrave 800 - 1500 20 - 45 1 Creates rich, darkened engraving. Use fume extraction — leather smoke is unpleasant and potentially harmful.
Acrylic (cast, clear) Engrave 600 - 1200 50 - 70 1 Creates frosted white engraving on clear acrylic. Air assist recommended to reduce melting.
Cork Engrave 1200 - 2000 20 - 35 1 Very low power needed. Cork is soft and burns easily. Test at 20% power first.
Cardstock / Paper Engrave / Cut 1500 - 3000 15 - 30 1 Can engrave and cut thin paper. Secure edges to prevent shifting. Fire risk — monitor closely.

All parameters tested on the xTool F1 Ultra with standard configuration. Results depend on your specific material batch, ambient temperature, and focus accuracy. Always perform a test on scrap material before production runs.

Software & Connectivity

The F1 Ultra works with multiple software platforms. Here's what you need to know about each option.

xTool Creative Space

Free, Included

The primary software for the F1 Ultra. Includes machine-specific material presets, built-in camera positioning, photo engraving mode with automatic dithering, and batch processing. Available for Windows 10+ and macOS 11+.

  • Auto-detect F1 Ultra via USB/Wi-Fi
  • Pre-loaded material parameter database
  • Photo-to-engraving conversion
  • Batch duplicate and array tools

LightBurn

Paid, Third-Party

LightBurn is the industry standard for desktop laser control software and supports the F1 Ultra's diode laser module. It offers more advanced design tools and fine-grained parameter control than xTool Creative Space, making it popular with experienced users.

  • Advanced vector and raster design tools
  • Variable power and speed layers
  • Camera alignment support
  • License: $60 one-time (GCode tier)

EzCad2

Specialized, Windows Only

EzCad2 is the standard control software for galvo-based fiber laser systems. It provides full control over the fiber laser module, including frequency (kHz) tuning for color marking, hatch pattern configuration, and serialization tools for industrial marking.

  • Full fiber laser parameter control
  • Color marking frequency tuning
  • Serial number and barcode generation
  • Windows only — no macOS support

Technical Specifications

Full specification sheet for the xTool F1 Ultra dual-laser engraving system.

Fiber Laser 20W JPT MOPA fiber laser source, 1064nm wavelength, pulse width adjustable 4-200ns
Diode Laser 2W blue diode laser, 455nm wavelength
Working Area 115mm x 115mm (4.5" x 4.5")
Engraving Speed Up to 10,000mm/s (fiber), up to 4,000mm/s (diode)
Resolution 0.01mm minimum spot size
Galvo System Imported Scanlab galvanometer scanning head
Laser Safety Class 1 (fully enclosed with interlock system)
Machine Dimensions Approximately 457mm x 381mm x 253mm (18" x 15" x 10")
Weight Approximately 18kg (39.7 lbs)
Power Consumption 220W typical, 350W peak
Connectivity USB Type-C, Wi-Fi 2.4GHz
Display 3.5" color touchscreen for standalone operation
Software Compatibility xTool Creative Space (Win/Mac), LightBurn (diode), EzCad2 (fiber, Windows only)
File Formats SVG, DXF, AI, PNG, JPG, BMP, PLT
Fiber Laser Lifespan Estimated 100,000+ hours
Certifications CE, FDA (21 CFR 1040.10 & 1040.11)

Maintenance & Troubleshooting

Keeping your F1 Ultra running smoothly doesn't require much, but these habits will extend machine life and maintain engraving quality.

Routine Maintenance

  • Every 20-50 hours: Clean the lens protective window with lens cleaning tissue and isopropyl alcohol. Debris on the window degrades engraving quality before it becomes visible to the eye.
  • Weekly: Wipe down the interior work surface. Accumulated debris (especially from wood and leather) can interfere with material positioning and reflects stray laser light.
  • Monthly: Check the exhaust hose connection for leaks. If using an external fume extractor, replace the activated carbon filter according to manufacturer recommendations (typically every 3-6 months).
  • As needed: Update xTool Creative Space when new versions become available. Updates often include revised material presets and bug fixes for camera alignment.

Common Issues & Solutions

  • Faded or inconsistent engraving: Most often caused by a dirty lens window or incorrect focus distance. Clean the window first, then re-run auto-focus. If the issue persists, check that the material surface is flat and level.
  • Camera preview misalignment: Recalibrate the camera through xTool Creative Space Settings > Camera Calibration. Use the included calibration card and follow the on-screen steps. This takes about 5 minutes.
  • Fiber laser produces no mark on metal: Verify the correct laser source is selected in software. Check that the material is within focus range. Bare copper and gold require higher power and slower speed than steel.
  • Excessive charring on wood: Reduce power by 10-15% and increase speed. If air assist is installed, ensure it's running. Consider masking tape over the wood surface to reduce smoke staining around the engraved area.

Still Have Questions?

Our support team is happy to help with material recommendations, parameter tuning, and troubleshooting. You can also check our blog for detailed project walkthroughs.

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