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The idea behind the Falcon T1 is inspired but not unique: essentially, one machine that can replace five, with swappable modules that enable it to engrave and cut wood, mark metal, and engrave crystal, all via a set of interchangeable laser modules sold separately.
Swap the module, and the machine becomes a different tool, much like many other workshop tools, so from that point of view the concept is far from unique.
This means that if you’re a business short on space, or even if it’s not, then a machine like this will be appealing. There are, of course, a few catches: the first is that the machine ships with one module, the 20W fibre laser, which I’m looking at in this review.
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However, the key to this machine is that it’s a 5-in-1, so as a first look I’ll be using this module and then covering the others later. It’s worth noting that each of those additional modules costs anything from £859 upwards, so the more you buy, the more cost effective this machine becomes, when compared with dedicated machines.
There is another slight issue, which Creality has addressed to a point: this machine is designed for small products. In this review, the fibre laser is used on a small metal object, which is fine with the fibre laser and the 175 x 175mm work area.
However, as you switch to the diode modules, you may want a larger workspace, which is where the additional lenses and the conveyor for batch production come into play.
In this first-look review, I have based my use and findings on the 20W Fibre Laser module, and I’ll update with the additional modules when they arrive.
Creality Falcon T1: Price & availability
The Falcon T1 is listed on the official Creality website for $2249, and on the UK site for £1999.
That buys the machine with the 20W Fibre Laser module. Additional modules start from $809 / £859 each, so a full five-laser system quickly escalates the price.
Accessories add more again: the Rotary Kit Pro, a conveyor, smoke purifier, flexible fixture, knife bed, and UV riser all available separately, creating a comprehensive ecosystem for businesses.
Creality Falcon T1: Design
Specs
Modules: 20W diode, 40W diode, 20W fibre, 60W MOPA, 5W UV (sold separately)
Wavelengths: 445nm diode, 1064nm fibre and MOPA, 355nm UV
Working area: 175 x 175mm (UV internal engraving 70 x 70mm)
Spot size: 0.12 x 0.14mm (20W diode), 0.05mm (fibre/MOPA), 0.014mm (UV)
Processing accuracy: 0.01mm or better; positioning accuracy +/-0.01mm
Maximum speed: 10,000mm/s
Cutting: 8mm basswood (20W diode), 12mm basswood (40W diode), 0.2mm anodised aluminium (fibre)
Camera: HD positioning, autofocus and monitoring
Display: 4.3in detachable touchscreen; USB, cloud and app control
Software: Falcon Design Space, LightBurn, GRBL; Windows and macOS
Safety: Class 1 enclosed, lid-open stop, emergency stop, key lock, temperature, smoke and flame detection
Dimensions: 464 x 312 x 509mm
Getting started with the T1 is a relatively quick process once the machine is unboxed. The machine is almost fully assembled, with only the build plate, screen, power, and module needing to be fitted.
Most of the few parts that need attention before you start just need to be plugged in, with the large laser module essentially slotting into the back of the machine. To access the slot, you need to rotate the machine’s body. The T1 itself weighs in at 20 kg. I couldn’t find official figures, so this is the result from me putting the machine on the scales. The 20W module weighs 3.2kg, and you do need to leave yourself a little room for manoeuvre to access the module slot.
The module is a box of electronics with the laser lens, and each module is essentially of the same design, just utilising different technology for the beam. As this is a space-saving exercise, the module measures in at 22 x 95 x 175mm. The installation process to a working state takes a couple of minutes, with the actual tool swap, which is usually the time-consuming part, taking no more than a suggested 15 seconds.
To swap modules, you first need to switch on the machine. This should raise the centre section. If not, when the screen has finished the boot sequence, tap the tool change button; you’ll need to do this if you’ve been working with one of the modules and need to swap.
Then switch the machine off; there’s no hot swapping. Push the lock button on top, withdraw the installed module, then insert the next module, rotate the machine back into position, and power on. This is the simplest tool change I think I’ve come across for any machine, and while it may not take 15 seconds for the entire process, that takes closer to two minutes, I managed 5 seconds for the actual module change; it’s that simple.
Once everything is set up and in position, the T1, as a machine, is relatively tall and fully enclosed with a large tinted viewing panel, measuring 464 x 312 x 509mm. Compared with similar machines, the footprint is pretty standard, as is the height. The height, however, increases as the entire protective cover rises when you load and unload materials, and again when you change modules.
On the side of the machine is the detachable 4.3-inch touchscreen, which I liked more than I expected. It uses a magnet to attach to the right-hand side on an extendable cable, so it stores away neatly out of the way and pulls round to the front when you want it. The screen itself is extremely responsive and gives access to most of what you need without a computer, though the excellent desktop software gives you full control.
Before using the machine, the inserted module needs to be calibrated. The box includes a calibration chart and a few other items of material that can be used to do this. The process is relatively straightforward, and Creality has created several tutorial videos to guide you through the process.
As the lid is lifted, you can place it on the removable work bed, which offers height, and the design enables various positioning options, especially for awkward objects. With the setup that I was sent, I was only able to work with metal due to the fibre module, and as I went through the test materials, there was almost nothing to clean up afterwards.
From experience, I know that using a diode head generates far more dust and particles that need to be cleaned away. It’s also worth noting that the exhaust fan and dust guard both detach for cleaning.
I’ll also note that no air purifier was supplied with my machine, so I connected an existing filter from another manufacturer using a little ducting, and it worked perfectly, although with full manual control. If you already own a purifier, that is worth knowing; you will lose the integrated feedback and control, but you’ll save some cash.
Creality Falcon T1: Features
The module swap is the headline feature here, and although I only had a single module to work with, it seemed easy enough. However, swapping heads and recalibration are features that would set this apart from competitors. I was unable to check this, so it could be as simple as a quick swap or require far more time; again, I’ll update when further modules arrive.
An area that I am interested in seeing work is the calibration handling; it looks to be the clever part. Once you have calibrated each module with the supplied cards, swapping between modules doesn’t require recalibration, allowing you to move quickly between materials and processes.
If, however, you do move the machine around the workshop, as I did, a quick recalibration is sensible before starting again. Compared with the usual business of changing laser heads, the whole process seems quick.
Inside the machine is an HD camera that works through the desktop software and enables you to place designs onto material accurately; this is essential when you are engraving something where you only get one go, such as a phone, lens or laptop.
Everything is calibrated so positioning is precise rather than approximate, and the software will map designs onto curved surfaces such as bottles.
The AI tools are more useful than they sound and far better than the usual gimmicky template images you see. Instead, they can be used to generate relief images to create coins from images sourced from Salisbury Museum, engraving them into blank metal coins, and it worked remarkably well.
There is also automatic layout, batch filling, and colour-engraving assistance for metals, and the multicolour engraving produced by the fibre module through the software is impressive.
Creality Falcon T1: Performance
Setup took around 10 minutes, as the machine arrived pre-assembled and factory-calibrated. I just needed to attach the cables and install the 20W fibre module before running through the calibration process, following the online videos, and then started with the test files from the supplied USB stick.
Later, when connected to a MacBook Pro, the Falcon Design Space was equally easy to use, and from there I could lay out my own designs, access the live camera feed, and position artwork precisely over the material, eliminating the guesswork.
The software really deserves a big mention, and I’ve used it before on previous Falcon machines. It’s just well thought out and lets you get straight to work rather than faffing around with settings. Unlike fibre lasers that hand you off to third-party software, this is fully integrated with the hardware, and that integration pays off constantly in workflow.
Everything worked seamlessly and felt stable from the outset, one of the issues I often find with fibre lasers intended for the professional market. Being able to set a job running from another room or to position a design against a live camera feed, rather than by guesswork, turns what is often a fiddly process into something straightforward.
At the time of review, I’m only testing the one module, but will update on the ease of swapping and the software’s recognition of each new option once installed. Using the Fibre laser gave me quite a bit of flexibility with materials, including engraving on metal. It was incredibly fast and accurate, with fine, crisp edges and detail.
Most designs engraved onto various types of metal were completed in a few seconds, with most complex designs completed within 30 seconds.
This is also one of the first machines that makes working in colour with metal engraving relatively easy, and it is a prime example of where AI comes into play. Essentially, load the image, and the AI converts it into what is needed.
Although the hit rate on this isn’t 100%, it does make things easier than almost all other solutions I’ve tried, with only the XTool option being on a par. You can then go in and adjust the colours, as needed. As ever, a little experimentation is needed, but it’s just about as smooth a process as I’ve yet come across in this type of work.
On average, these designs, at the maximum size I tried (160 x 160), took around an hour. There were a few glitches along the way, but I was pleased to see that the software lets you generate test charts to test the material before you start.
Using the module with metals and the engraving quality with the 20W fibre module is exceptional. Speed and resolution are among the best I have seen, on a par with the strongest dedicated fibre machines, although the weaker power does mean more passes when embossing.
To test this, I had a high-resolution image from Salisbury Museum of a coin, and once it was processed through the software, it was embossed onto one of the coin blanks. The effect of this coin, due to its age and relief, was subtle, but when a few other designs were transformed, and the results were pronounced.
This is an amazing process, although, whereas the other uses are relatively quick, the process of creating an embossed coin took 13 hours, so roughly 26 hours for the two sides if you want to go down that route. A 40W or the MOPA will make a big difference to this speed and will be one of the most exciting aspects of this engraver.
With that modular design, the 20w will hopefully see an upgrade in the future. One thing worth knowing is that, with this machine, and for that matter, higher-quality fibre material is important: cheap metal items engrave, but they do not look great afterwards. In contrast, a quality stainless steel piece under the same laser looks superb. If you are producing items to sell, buy decent blanks.
The 175 x 175mm working area proved decent enough for the small metal objects, which is exactly what the fibre machines tend to suit: keyrings, coins, tags, and similar personalised items. For anything larger, it will feel restrictive.
Through the review, I also tested the conveyor, one of the few accessories supplied, and setting it up requires considerably more room; it also requires you to disengage the lid’s safety feature, so protective glasses are required. I was surprised to see that none have been provided.
However, again, this is quite common for this level of machine, and the results and speed increase for batch production are impressive. What really stands out is how it can automatically recognise the objects placed on the surface and engrave without you needing to align each individually.
If you do a lot of batch work, the conveyor makes sense, and again it shows the potential for the machine, which I only feel like through the review I am touching on.
Creality Falcon T1: Final verdict
In this test, I gave the 20 fibre module a good run, and it instantly gives a good idea of its potential, once those other modules are purchased.
Add in the 20W and 40W diode modules, which handle wood and acrylic cutting; the 60W MOPA, which most professionals will be interested in for deep and colored metal work; and the 5W UV module for glass, ceramics and internal crystal engraving, this machine really makes sense.
Couple all that with the rotary kit and the smoke purifier, and you have a professional eco-system that starts to look extremely appealing.
If you regularly work with wood, leather, metal, and glass, the modular concept makes sense, and buying the modules you need rather than five separate machines will save both money and a great deal of space in the long run.
On reviewing the fibre module, the engineering and software quality do show potential, but if you’re only going to be using one module then this is an expensive option. However, add in at least one or two additional modules and it makes sense in both cost and size.
Should you buy the Creality Falcon T1 laser engraver
|
Value: |
The concept saves money against five machines, but a single module makes it expensive |
4 |
|
Design: |
Enclosed, practical and genuinely well thought out for maintenance and workflow |
4.5 |
|
Features |
An exceptionally feature-packed machine, with excellent software and camera positioning |
5 |
|
Performance |
The 20W fibre module is exceptional; the rest remains untested |
5 |
|
Total |
An innovative machine with value dependent on the modules you select |
4.5 |
Buy it if…
Don’t buy it if…
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