The Ultimate Laser "Printer": "The VersaLaser looks like an oversize printer without feed or output trays. It accepts paper, wood, a variety of plastics, leather, some coated metals, and even stone and marble."

The built-in 25W laser is powerful enough to burn quickly through paper and cardboard without leaving so much as a charred edge. It can cut through wood 1/4 inch thick or more. The thin beam barely discolors the edges of the top surface but leaves the sides of the cut a rich, dark brown. Acrylic plastics such as Plexiglas cut easily, too. The beam moves with surprising speed for wood and paper but slower and at lower power for plastics, so the heat from the beam can melt the plastic edge and leave a smooth, polished surface.

n engraving/etching mode, the beam sweeps back and forth across the workpiece, burning a raster image of your artwork into its surface. Or in the case of anodized aluminum, it bleaches the color out of the anodized layer, leaving the aluminum protected but with the wording or images of your choice shining through in the areas struck by the beam.