Sculpfun V5 UV Laser

Here you will find all the information about the Sculpfun V5 UV laser. The page will be continuously updated as soon as I have something to add.

With the V5, Sculpfun adds the first UV galvo laser to its repertoire. UV lasers are among the most versatile lasers because they can process the widest range of materials and, depending on the material, produce significantly better results. Unlike conventional CO₂ or fiber lasers, the UV laser operates at a significantly shorter wavelength (355 nm), which enables cold marking—a decisive advantage for heat-sensitive materials. The minimal heat generation during the marking process virtually eliminates thermal deformation, discoloration, and material damage.

This technology makes the Sculpfun V5 particularly suitable for demanding applications on plastics, metals, and ceramics, where maximum precision and surface quality are required. The UV radiation is absorbed directly into the material and produces permanent, high-contrast markings without mechanical impact. The result is razor-sharp lettering, logos, and serial numbers with resolutions in the micrometer range.

Tip: You can download the package containing all files for V5 from the Sculpfun website. It also includes 3D files for crystals and reliefs if you want to quickly run some initial tests.

Technical Specifications

Technical Specifications	Sculpfun V5
Laser Power	5 W (Turbo mode up to 6 W)
Wavelength	355 nm (UV)
Working Area	150 × 150 mm / 70 × 70 mm (interchangeable)
Spot Size	0.0019 mm
Frequency	30–100 kHz
Pulse width	1-200 ns
Resolution	up to 16K
Max. Working Speed	10,000 mm/s
Repeatability Accuracy	0.001 mm
Focusing	Electric height adjustment (Auto Z)
Galvo System	Industrial grade
Supported Materials	Plastics (ABS, PVC, PC, PET, PP), metals (stainless steel, aluminum, copper, brass, titanium, gold, silver, platinum), glass, crystal, ceramics, PCB boards, leather, wood, stone, and more (1500+ materials)
Software	SGD Laser (proprietary, free) / LightBurn Pro
Connectivity	WiFi / USB
Supported Systems	Windows / macOS / Android / iOS
Dimensions	387 × 592 × 638 mm
Weight	26.7 kg
Additional Features	3D crystal engraving, cold processing, flat/curved surface engraving, dual focus
Compatible Extensions	RA PRO MAX (rotary module), G9SE (working area extension to 150 × 350 mm)

Official pictures

Setup

Sculpfun has published a video showing how to start up the laser and take your first steps with the software. All essential information can also be found in the manual. I recommend downloading the complete package from the website (current link to Google Drive).

Calibration

Each V5 is calibrated at the factory. This is done individually and is different for each device. The parameters are stored in the firmware. The SGD software can read these parameters and is therefore correctly configured from the outset.

The profiles for LightBurn are generic! You still have to transfer the calibration parameters! To accomplish this, you can perform the calibration manually or, more quickly, read the parameters with SGD and transfer them.

In the SGD software, select Advanced -> Area. The password is “sculpfun001.” Here you will find an overview of the parameters. Under “Device Information,” you must switch between the two lenses to access all values. My values are shown here as an example (but they should be slightly different for each laser!):

In LightBurn, go to the device settings (there is also a separate profile/device for each lens), and then you can set the values accordingly.

Official videos

Sculpfun has published a whole series of videos showing how to use various components with the V5:

Settings for a UV laser

Compared to diode lasers, there are additional parameters that can and must be adjusted on a UV laser to achieve perfect results. Since the additional parameters make the solution space even larger, it is difficult to find the right parameters at the beginning. That is why Sculpfun also provides a few parameters; see further below. First, a few explanations about the parameters:

Introduction

A UV galvo laser is a precise tool for material processing that is controlled by four key parameters: frequency, power, speed, and pulse width. Understanding these parameters and their interactions is crucial for successful laser processing.

The four main parameters

Frequency (kHz)

The frequency indicates how many laser pulses are emitted per second, measured in kilohertz (kHz). At 30 kHz, for example, the laser fires 30,000 pulses per second.

Effects:

• Low frequency (30-50 kHz): Individual pulses are clearly separated from each other, recognizable as individual dots or “dotted” lines. Suitable for deep engravings and coarser structures.
• High frequency (50-100 kHz): Pulses overlap significantly, creating homogeneous, smooth lines and surfaces. Ideal for fine details and uniform surface treatment.

Rule of thumb: The higher the frequency, the more even and finer the result, but the lower the energy per individual pulse.

Power (watts/percent)

The power determines the total energy emitted by the laser. For a 5W laser, the power can typically be set between 0-100%, which corresponds to 0-5 watts.

Effects:

• Low power (10-30%): Superficial markings, minimal material removal, no thermal damage. Suitable for sensitive materials or pure color changes.
• High power (70-100%): Deeper engravings, faster material removal, greater heat generation. Necessary for hard materials or deep structures.

Important: The actual energy introduced into the material depends on the combination of power and other parameters.

Speed (mm/s)

The speed describes how fast the laser beam is moved across the material, typically in millimeters per second (mm/s) or as a percentage of the maximum galvo speed.

Effects:

• Low speed (50-500 mm/s): The laser remains at each point for longer, and more energy is introduced into the material. Result: deeper engravings, stronger thermal effects, risk of discoloration or burns.
• High speed (1000-3000 mm/s): Less energy per area, more superficial processing, reduced heat impact. Suitable for fast marking or temperature-sensitive materials.

Note: Speed is the most influential parameter for controlling the energy density on the material.

Pulse width (pulse duration, ns/µs)

The pulse width indicates how long a single laser pulse lasts, measured in nanoseconds (ns) or microseconds (µs). Many UV lasers operate in the nanosecond range (V5: 1-100 ns).

Effects:

• Short pulse width (<50 ns): “Cold” processing with minimal heat generation. Material is ablated rather than melted through photochemical processes. Ideal for high-precision work and thermally sensitive materials.
• Long pulse width (>100 ns): More thermal energy, stronger heat effects in the material. Can lead to discoloration or melting.

Special feature of UV lasers: UV lasers (355 nm wavelength) are particularly valued for their short pulse widths and “cold” processing. The short wavelength is absorbed directly by many materials without generating heat.

Dotting time (dot delay, µs)

Dotting time (also known as point delay, mark delay, or jump delay) is the amount of time the laser waits after positioning the galvo mirrors before it starts firing, or how long it remains at a single point. It is measured in microseconds (µs), with typical values ranging from 0 to 500 µs.

Technical background: Galvo mirrors require a certain amount of time to position themselves and stabilize after rapid movements. If the laser fires too early, the position may not yet be exact, resulting in blurred edges or offset dots. Dotting time compensates for this mechanical inertia.

Effects:

• Short dotting time (0-50 µs): Maximum speed, but risk of inaccuracies at sharp corners, changes in direction, or individual points. The galvos have less time to stabilize. Suitable for smooth curves and lines without abrupt changes in direction.
• Medium dotting time (50-150 µs): Good compromise between speed and precision. Standard setting for most applications. Galvos have sufficient time to stabilize with normal geometries.
• Long dotting time (150-500 µs): Maximum precision for complex geometries with many corners, individual points, or frequent changes in direction. Noticeably longer processing time, as there is a wait at each position change.

When is dotting time particularly important?

• Individual dots: In dot patterns or QR codes, the laser lingers at each dot. The dotting time directly determines how much energy is applied per dot.
• Sharp corners: With rectangular or angular geometries, the galvos must change direction abruptly. Without sufficient dotting time, corners become “rounded” or blurred.
• Fine fonts: Letters with many details benefit from increased dotting time for clean edges.
• High speeds: The faster the galvos work, the more essential the stabilization time becomes.

Practical tip: If your engravings are blurred at the corners or individual dots appear to have different intensities, increase the dotting time gradually in increments of 20-50 µs. For simple lines and curves, you can minimize the dotting time to save processing time.

Difference from speed: While speed determines how fast the laser moves during processing, dotting time controls the waiting time during position changes and stops. Both parameters complement each other to control the overall processing time.

Relationships between parameters

The parameters influence each other and together determine the energy density on the material:

Energy density formula (simplified): Energy density = (power × pulse width × frequency) / speed

This gives rise to important correlations:

• Maintain constant energy density:
  • If you double the speed, you have to double the power or double the frequency to achieve the same result.
  • Halving the frequency makes the individual pulses stronger (with the same total power), which can lead to visible pulse intervals.
• Pulse overlap: The overlap of two consecutive pulses is determined by the ratio of frequency to velocity:
  • At 20 kHz and 500 mm/s: Pulse spacing = 500 mm/s ÷ 20,000 pulses/s = 0.025 mm (25 µm)
  • At 50 kHz and 500 mm/s: Pulse spacing = 500 mm/s ÷ 50,000 pulses/s = 0.010 mm (10 µm)

Typical spot size for galvo lasers: 20–50 µm. The smaller the pulse spacing in relation to the spot size, the more the pulses overlap and the more homogeneous the result.

Practical application examples

Example 1: Fine lettering on glass

• Frequency: 80 kHz (high overlap for smooth lines)
• Power: 30% (1.5W – glass is fragile)
• Speed: 800 mm/s (moderate speed)
• Pulse width: Short (20-30 ns, cold processing prevents cracks)

Example 2: Deep engraving in aluminum

• Frequency: 30 kHz (lower frequency = more energy per pulse)
• Power: 90% (4.5W – maximum energy for metalworking)
• Speed: 200 mm/s (slow for deep removal)
• Pulse width: Medium (50-80 ns)

Example 3: Quick marking on plastic

• Frequency: 60 kHz (good balance)
• Power: 20% (1W – plastic melts easily)
• Speed: 1500 mm/s (fast to prevent overheating)
• Pulse width: Short (15-25 ns)

Practical tips

Getting started with new materials:

• Start with medium values (e.g., 50 kHz, 50% power, 500 mm/s).
• Test small squares with different combinations.
• Adjust only one parameter at a time to understand the effect.
• Document successful tests.

Problem-solving:

• Lines appear dotted: Increase frequency or reduce speed.
• Material melts or discolors: Reduce power, increase speed, or select a shorter pulse width.
• Engraving too shallow: Increase power, reduce speed, or pass over multiple times.
• Uneven results: Increase frequency for better pulse overlap.
• Blurred corners or offset dots: Increase dotting time.
• Processing takes too long: Reduce dotting time (if quality is sufficient).

Safety note: UV lasers are particularly dangerous for the eyes and skin. Always work with the laser housing closed and approved protective equipment.

These parameters of a UV galvo laser work together and are interdependent. Finding the right balance requires understanding and experimentation. With the basics from this article and systematic testing, you can find the optimal settings for every material and application. Always remember: frequency determines smoothness, power determines intensity, speed determines dwell time, and pulse width determines the type of energy transfer.

Sculpfun provides a list of settings that have proven themselves in laboratory tests. These can be found in the download directory. I have created a PDF for a quick overview: Download, or here again as an image. Please note: This is only to be understood as a guideline; you still have to find the best parameters yourself through testing.

Settings for 3D glass engraving

The settings recommended by Sculpfun for the crystals supplied or purchased from the Sculpfun store are as follows: I tested them myself and was satisfied with the results. Depending on the material, manufacturer, etc., the settings may need to be adjusted; see the explanations above. Sculpfun has also published a video on this topic; see above.

Speed: 1700 mm/s, power: 60%, frequency: 40 kHz, pulse width: 5 ns, Q pulse width: 10, dotting time: 600.

Settings for 3D reliefs

Here too, Sculpfun provides a short list of settings that have proven themselves in laboratory tests. These can be found in the download directory. I have created a PDF for a quick overview: Download, or here again as an image:

Settings for LightBurn – Rotary & Chuck

As mentioned above, the settings for the RA Pro Max are stored in SGD, but are not imported into LightBurn. Therefore, the settings must be configured manually in the wizard. The settings under “Rotary settings” are important. You might need to tune them a little to get them perfect.

User-Addons

As with the other models, many users have come up with useful additions to the laser, which will now be given their own category. Here I will list all the add-ons that I am aware of or that users wanted to share.

Videos/Reviews

Official promotional video:

Results Gallery

Here you can browse through user submitted results using this laser: