Review: The Creality Falcon universal laser engraver safety enclosure

For those of us primarily operating open gantry laser engravers, the integration of safety measures often requires careful consideration. The Creality Laser Engraver Enclosure has emerged as a surprisingly effective and budget-friendly solution for managing smoke, fumes, and stray laser radiation, particularly when tackling wood and acrylic cutting projects.

While not a perfect, all-encompassing solution, its benefits, especially for the price, make it a compelling addition to a hobbyist or small workshop.

Let’s be frank: this enclosure is essentially a lightweight, tent-like structure designed to envelop your laser engraver. Initially, I was skeptical of its effectiveness, but it has proven to be surprisingly adept at its primary functions. While it undeniably increases the overall footprint of your laser setup, a factor to consider for those with limited space, the enhanced safety and improved air quality it provides are, in my experience, well worth the spatial trade-off.

The assembly process is remarkably user-friendly. Inside the packaging, you’ll find a single, clear instruction sheet featuring a straightforward diagram illustrating how the various components fit together.

Each piece is neatly organised within individual bags, clearly labeled with numbers to correspond with the instructions, making the entire setup process quick and intuitive. I had the enclosure fully assembled and ready for use within a matter of minutes.

One of the most significant improvements this enclosure offers is its ability to contain the smoke and fumes generated during laser operation, which previously permeated my workspace. The integrated fan and accompanying venting pipe perform admirably in extracting the smoke, particularly when working with materials like wood, which tend to produce substantial amounts of particulate matter.

However, it’s important to note that the enclosure lacks a dedicated base. Consequently, while the majority of the smoke is effectively captured and exhausted, a faint odour can still occasionally escape from the bottom, suggesting that additional sealing or placement in a well-ventilated area remains beneficial.

For individuals operating on a tight budget, myself included, and lacking the space, resources, or DIY expertise to construct a custom-built enclosure, the Creality option presents an excellent compromise. Securing it for under £50 on TEMU felt like an absolute steal, representing a significant upgrade in safety and air quality for a minimal investment.

The enclosure proves particularly invaluable when cutting wood, where smoke generation is often considerable and can quickly become a nuisance and a potential health hazard. However, for more intricate metal engraving tasks, where constant access to the workpiece is often required for adjustments or fine-tuning of smaller items like key rings and metal business cards, the enclosure can feel somewhat restrictive and can diminish the ambient light within the workspace. This limitation could be mitigated by the addition of inexpensive strip lighting installed inside the enclosure, a modification I am considering.

Despite being branded under the Creality name, the enclosure’s design allows for universal compatibility with most open gantry laser engraving machines currently available on the market. I have personally used it successfully with both an Atomstack A10 Pro and a Sculpfun S9. One minor consideration is the internal height; with the Sculpfun S9, I had to temporarily remove my Cam 500 camera as it exceeded the enclosure’s height. However, this could be easily resolved by constructing a simple boxed frame at the base of the enclosure to provide additional vertical clearance.

The use of flame-retardant material in the enclosure’s construction provides an extra layer of safety and reassurance, a crucial factor when dealing with laser technology.

In conclusion, the Creality Universal Laser Engraver Safety Enclosure offers a practical, affordable, and easily assembled solution for hobbyists and small workshop users seeking to enhance the safety and air quality of their laser engraving operations with open gantry machines. While it has minor limitations, particularly regarding the lack of a base and potential restrictions for intricate metalwork, its overall benefits far outweigh these drawbacks, especially when compared to operating an open gantry laser without any form of containment. It represents a significant step towards a safer and more comfortable laser engraving experience.

Editor’s Note: It’s worth noting that Creality has released a newer version of this product, the ‘Laser Engraver Enclosure Pro,’ which is currently available for purchase directly from the CrealityFalcon website for just £84.99.