Standard 40W CO2 Laser

The LC40 is equipped with a standard laser tube that allows it to slice through and engrave leather, wood, glass, stone, rubber, and acrylic. The laser itself is tucked safely away near the back of the machine – mirrors are used to reflect the laser onto the material itself. Things are pretty standard in this department, but it’s the workflow quirks and extra features that make this machine special.

Connectivity and Accessibility

Even without a WiFi connection, you can control the LC40 using the onboard LCD touch screen. Alternatively, you could connect to the LC40 wirelessly for safe control from a distance. Dremel has opted for a totally-wireless software workflow, which can be both a blessing and a curse. On one hand, you don’t have to be near a machine emitting nasty fumes while setting up a new job; on the other hand, you’re stuck with Dremel’s proprietary software.

Built-in Smart Camera

The Dremel LC40 actually has a built-in camera to align your design to irregular workpieces. Essentially, this allows you to preview the design before you start cutting, which would be useful for irregularly shaped slices of material, for instance. This feature is rare among machines below and at this price range, so it’s definitely a pleasant feature that justifies the price tag.

Size and Extras

This is one bulky machine, roughly one meter in length and 0.6 meters in depth. Add to that the water cooling system that needs to stay tethered to the LC40 and you’ve got one bulky setup. And don’t forget: not all configurations of this machine come with a fume extractor (you’ll pay more for that convenience), so you’ll need a well-ventilated place to park the machine.