Excel Laser HD1 Pro and Ultra: A First Look at the Dual-Source Hybrid

Introduction

The Excel Laser HD1 Pro and Ultra represent a different approach to desktop laser engraving. Instead of forcing one laser source to handle every material, these machines combine two separate sources in a single frame. The result is a system that can switch between diode and fiber work without moving material to a second machine.

The HD1 Pro pairs a 55W diode with a 20W infrared fiber source. The Ultra steps up to an 80W diode with a 60W MOPA fiber. Both machines run through LightBurn, which will feel familiar to anyone who has used a modern laser engraver. Early testing focused on building a material settings library, with work spanning basic woods, metals, cork, and other organic materials.

Excel Laser HD1 Pro: The 55W Diode and 20W Fiber Combo

The HD1 Pro is the entry point into the Excel Laser lineup. Its 55W diode handles the organic materials that diode lasers are known for: wood, slate, cork, and other natural surfaces. The 20W fiber source extends the machine into metal marking territory, covering brass, steel, and stainless steel.

What makes this setup interesting is the workflow. Instead of cutting a piece on a gantry machine and then moving it to a separate fiber unit for marking, the HD1 Pro does both in one place. The two sources share the same rail system, which keeps the footprint reasonable for a desktop machine.

During testing, the machine handled image engraving on wood with promising results. A bee design engraved on wood showed good detail, though the first attempt ran too hot at 50% power. Dropping to around 25-30% power with a tighter interval produced noticeably better contrast. The 20W fiber source marked steel discs cleanly, though the supplied samples had a slightly textured surface that made visual inspection a bit harder than on matte metal.

Excel Laser Ultra: The 80W Diode and 60W MOPA Fiber Upgrade

The Ultra is the higher-spec option in the lineup. Its 80W diode brings noticeably more cutting power, while the 60W MOPA fiber opens up deeper metal engraving work. The MOPA fiber is the source to choose when you want to remove material rather than just surface-mark it.

The Ultra was still in its shipping crate during early testing, waiting for the Pro to finish its material library work. The expectation is that the Ultra will be the machine for more advanced demonstrations, including stitching modes, surface scanning, and larger metal engraving projects.

For anyone planning to engrave coins or do substantial metal work, the higher-wattage fiber on the Ultra is the more practical choice. A 20W fiber can surface-mark metal effectively, but removing material takes time. The 60W MOPA fiber on the Ultra handles that kind of work with far less waiting.

Material Versatility: What the Dual Sources Can Handle

The dual-source design covers a wide range of materials. The diode source handles organics like wood, slate, cork, and other natural materials, generally faster than a single-source diode machine. The fiber source covers metals including brass, steel, and stainless steel, plus opaque and darker acrylics for marking.

Fiber marking on black acrylic works particularly well. A sample trophy piece in 1/8-inch black acrylic showed clean, detailed engraving that took about a minute to complete. The workflow advantage is real: instead of cutting a shape on one machine, moving it to a fiber unit, aligning it, and then marking it, the dual-source machine does the whole job in one pass.

Clear acrylic is the exception. Both diode and fiber sources struggle with transparent materials because the optical wavelength passes through instead of being absorbed. For clear acrylic work, a CO2 laser remains the right tool. Glitter acrylic can also be inconsistent on diode sources, depending on the size and type of glitter flakes in the material.

Setup, Software, and Everyday Use

The HD1 Pro prototype took about 45 minutes to an hour to assemble, with the process compared to building IKEA furniture. A printed manual covered the basics, and a digital copy was also available. The machine connects to a local network over Wi-Fi, and once connected, it runs over IP without needing a USB cable. Firmware updates happen through a simple web server interface.

LightBurn is the control software, and it feels familiar. The Excel-specific additions blend in so well that they can be hard to spot at first. The machine also has two cameras for job positioning, though the secondary camera’s exact role was still being explored during early testing.

The machine ships with an external chiller, which is simple to set up: plug it in and add water. A quick-connect fitting makes the water hookup straightforward. The air assist runs at a standard volume, and the machine overall is no louder than a typical laser engraver. The chiller is the noisiest component, especially when its compressor kicks in.

Buying Advice

The HD1 Pro and Ultra serve different buyers. The HD1 Pro is the sensible starting point for someone who wants dual-source capability without the higher price of the Ultra. Its 20W fiber handles surface marking on metals and opaque acrylics, while the 55W diode covers organic materials with good speed.

The Ultra is the machine to choose when you know you will do serious metal work. The 60W MOPA fiber removes material efficiently, which matters for coin engraving and deeper metal marking. The 80W diode also brings more cutting power for thicker materials.

Both machines are shipping from the Connecticut office starting in October and November. Pre-orders are available directly from the Excel Laser website. Final retail pricing was still being finalized at the time of testing, so checking the site for current numbers is worthwhile.

Conclusion

The Excel Laser HD1 Pro and Ultra make a strong case for the dual-source approach. Instead of compromising between diode and fiber capabilities, these machines give you two dedicated sources that share a single frame. The workflow benefits are clear, especially for anyone who regularly switches between wood and metal projects.

Early testing shows the machines perform well, with the usual prototype-stage quirks that firmware updates are already addressing. The HD1 Pro is a practical entry point, while the Ultra is the machine to watch for more demanding metal work. Both are worth a close look if you are considering a hybrid laser system.