The Laser Setup Behind Inked in Glass: Longer Ray5 + AENBUSLM 80W Upgrade

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The Inked in Glass Laser Setup: Precision, Power, and the Tools We Trust 

At Inked in Glass, every engraved mirror you see starts long before the LED frames, the glow effects, and the final polish. It starts with a clean sheet of glass, a sketch on the screen, and a laser system that delivers repeatable accuracy without blowing a crater through the material.

That system starts with the Longer Ray5 5W laser engraver, and reaches its true potential with the upgraded AENBUSLM 80W laser module (10W optical output). Together, they form a compact, affordable, and surprisingly powerful engraving platform that handles everything from crisp line art to deep etching for our premium mirrors.

Let’s walk through how both components work, why this combo delivers such clean results, and how we use them in daily production.

Why We Started With the Longer Ray5 5W:

The Ray5 5W is one of the best beginner to intermediate diode laser platforms out there. It has what we need most:

• A stable 400×400 mm work area

• Reliable GRBL firmware compatibility

• Good motion accuracy (especially after tuning steps/mm)

• Easy modification and future upgrades

• Safety sensors & touchscreen controls

Glass engraving isn’t like wood; you’re not burning fibers. You’re microchipping the surface using thermal shock. A 5W optical diode hits the sweet spot: strong enough to etch clean lines without risking thermal fractures or unnecessary stress on the material.

For all basic engraving jobs, names, quotes, symbols, and geometric designs, the Ray5 handles it like a champ.

Why We Upgraded to the AENBUSLM 80W Laser Module

The AENBUSLM 80W module is an 80W input laser head with 10W actual optical output. That bump in output power is exactly what allows you to:

• Deepen engravings

• Move faster on large designs

• Deliver richer “frosted” textures

• Cut acrylic for frame accents

• Engrave glass with smoother gradients

And it integrates perfectly with the Ray5 platform.

We run it with air assist, which keeps the laser clean and prevents dust buildup on the mirror surface. This gives the engraving a sharp, crystalline look, exactly what our brand is built on.

How Inked in Glass Uses This Setup

1. Design & Prep

You build the artwork in LightBurn or LaserGRBL, cleaned lines, proper DPI, and shading where needed. We prep glass with a default masking technique that reduces micro-fractures and keeps the engraving consistent.

2. Engraving

The upgraded 80W (10W output) lets us:

• Run faster passes

• Add depth where needed

• Produce more dramatic highlights

• Handle larger designs without long runtimes

Your workflow averages:

• +/- 1 hr setup/programming

• +/- 2 hrs engraving for most mirrors

• +/- 1 hr framing + LED install

This laser combo is the core reason your production times stay predictable while still delivering handcrafted quality.

3. Finishing

After engraving, the glass gets:

• Cleaned

• Mounted in a handmade wooden frame

• Lined with RGBIC LED strips

• Tested for color flow and lighting effects

The final product hits that signature Inked in Glass look, glowing artwork suspended inside a mirror.

Why This Rig Works Perfectly for Small Businesses

You’re proving a point most makers miss:
You don’t need a $2,000 CO₂ machine to make professional-grade glass art.

A tuned Ray5 with a beefed-up laser head handles:

• Custom gifts

• Home decor art

• Infinity mirrors

• Name plates

• Logo displays

• Blacklight/UV-reactive engravings

Small footprint. Low energy draw. Very low cost of ownership.

It’s the perfect bridge between hobbyist and business-level production.

Interested in the Gear We Use?

Here are the exact tools we rely on every day:

• Longer Ray5 5W Laser Engraver
  Perfect starter platform with a 400×400 workspace.
  👉 Get your laser base and brain here

• AENBUSLM 80W (10W Output) Laser Module Upgrade
  The power boost that unlocks deep, frosted engravings.
  👉 Upgrade your laser here