5W UV galvo
xTool F2 Ultra UV — Hands-On Review
The F2 Ultra UV solves the problem fibre and CO₂ can't: marking heat-sensitive substrates without scorching, warping, or damaging the surface beneath. It's a 5 W cold-process UV galvo, and once you've used one for premium packaging or plastics work it's hard to live without.
Disclosure: BVLS is an official xTool Squad Service Station and an xTool affiliate partner. Some xTool product links earn us a commission at no additional cost to you. Our recommendations are based on the machines we use in production every day.
Who it's for
Where this machine actually earns its keep.
- Cosmetics, fragrance and drinks brands marking glass and plastic packaging.
- Studios marking polycarbonate, acrylic and plated awards without surface damage.
- Anyone working with leather, anodised finishes or coated electronics enclosures.
Strengths
- Cold marking — no melt, no scorch, no surface deformation on heat-sensitive materials.
- Photographic-quality marks on glass and clear plastics.
- Works on plated surfaces (gold, silver, rhodium) without lifting the plating.
Honest limits
- 5 W of UV is plenty for marking — not for cutting or deep engraving.
- Throughput on heavy raster fills is slower than the fibre dual.
- Optics and source are more expensive to service long-term than diode or CO₂.
Materials
What we actually mark, cut and engrave on it.
- Glass bottles and jars — crisp, frosted-look marks.
- Polycarbonate, ABS, acrylic — clean marks with no melt halo.
- Premium leather — light surface marks that don't burn through.
- Plated jewellery and giftware — marks without compromising the plating layer.
See the full materials & finishes list, or browse the portfolio.
At a glance
The spec, briefly.
| Source | 5 W UV galvo (cold process) |
|---|---|
| Best for | Heat-sensitive substrates, glass, plastics, plated metals |
| Format | Galvo — fixed field, fast |
| Rotary | Compatible (sold separately) |
Frequently asked
- Why pay for UV when fibre and CO₂ exist?
- Because they scorch the substrates UV is designed for. If you mark glass, plastics, plated parts or premium leather regularly, UV is the only option that doesn't compromise the surface.
- Will it mark dark plastics?
- Most engineering plastics mark well; some dyed plastics give weaker contrast. We test sample materials before quoting production runs.
Want one-to-one advice before you buy? Book an independent xTool consultation — we can place the order with xTool on your behalf after the call.