Sunstone Opera: Laser Engraver + CNC Milling Machine

The Sunstone Opera: The World's Only Laser Engraver and CNC Mill Combined Into One Machine

Two technologies. One machine. One program. The Opera integrates precision CNC milling and laser engraving into a single compact workstation — replacing two separate machines with one, and unlocking creative capabilities that neither technology alone can deliver.

Why the Opera Exists — and Why It Matters

Every jeweler working in custom design, repair, or production eventually hits the same wall: to do their best work, they need both a laser engraver and a CNC milling machine. Separate investments, separate software, separate bench space, separate learning curves, and the constant friction of moving a workpiece between two machines to complete a single job.

The Opera eliminates that entirely. Designed and manufactured in Italy by ElettroLaser — a company with decades of precision laser and CNC engineering experience — and sold and supported in the United States by Sunstone, the Opera is the first and only machine in the world to combine both technologies into one integrated system, controlled by a single software platform.

The result is not just a space-saving convenience. It is a fundamentally different way to work — where laser engraving, CNC milling, cutting, marking, burnishing, and diamond-cut effects can all happen within the same session, on the same workpiece, without removing it from the machine.

What the Opera Can Do

The Opera's hybrid capability covers a broader range of operations than any single-technology machine can approach:

Laser Engraving — precise, detailed marking and engraving on metal surfaces with the resolution and repeatability of a fiber laser system. Logos, text, patterns, portraits, and custom artwork — all without tool contact or material stress.

Laser Cutting — clean, precise cuts through metal stock for custom shapes, blanks, and design elements. The laser's non-contact nature eliminates the mechanical stress, burring, and tool wear associated with CNC cutting.

Laser Marking — surface-level contrast marking for serial numbers, hallmarks, barcodes, and brand identification across jewelry and industrial components.

CNC Milling — mechanical material removal with 0.0125mm XY resolution and 0.000625mm Z resolution. Used for creating texture, relief work, inlays, prong settings, channel cuts, and three-dimensional surface features that a laser alone cannot produce.

Burnishing — CNC-driven surface finishing that creates a polished, reflective line effect without material removal — ideal for architectural borders, decorative frames, and geometric detailing on metal surfaces.

Diamond-Cut Effects — the combination of CNC precision and laser capability enables the faceted, multi-angle reflective cuts associated with high-end diamond-cut engraving and design work. This is a finish traditionally achievable only by skilled hand engravers or expensive specialist machines.

The Workflow Advantage: One Setup. One Session. Done.

The traditional workflow for a piece requiring both engraving and milling involves two machines, two software programs, two setups, and the careful task of repositioning the workpiece between operations — with all the alignment risk that entails.

On the Opera, the entire workflow happens without removing the workpiece. The Opera Easy Creator software controls both the laser and the CNC functions from a single interface. The operator designs the job — specifying which areas to laser engrave, which to mill, which to cut — and the Opera executes the full sequence in one session.

This eliminates repositioning error, reduces setup time, and makes it possible to achieve precise registration between laser-engraved elements and CNC-milled features that would be extremely difficult to replicate across two separate machines.

Opera Easy Creator: Software Built for Every Skill Level

The Opera is controlled by Opera Easy Creator — custom-developed software that manages both laser and CNC operations from a unified interface. It was designed from the ground up with real jewelers and artisans in mind, not engineers.

Key capabilities:

• Extensive design template library — a comprehensive collection of ready-made designs, patterns, and motifs that can be applied immediately or used as starting points for custom work. For new users, this library dramatically shortens the time between machine setup and producing finished results
• Import custom designs — bring in artwork, logos, and custom vectors from your existing design tools for laser execution
• Unified laser + CNC control — program and sequence both technologies within the same workflow without switching programs or exporting files between systems
• Intuitive interface — designed for users at all experience levels, from first-time operators to experienced jewelers integrating the Opera into an established production workflow

Work Area and Technical Specifications

The Opera provides generous work area for benchtop jewelry and precision industrial work:

The Opera's 150 × 200mm maximum work area is well-suited to the full range of jewelry items — rings, bracelets, pendants, nameplates, watch components, and small industrial pieces. The expandable laser marking area (via optional rotating table) extends coverage to longer pieces like bangles and flat stock.

Choosing Your Configuration: What Optional Accessories Do You Need?

The Opera ships with a complete accessory kit that includes everything required to begin engraving and milling from day one. However, depending on your primary application, specific optional accessories will expand the machine's capability significantly.

Rotary Device — essential for engraving on rings, bracelets, bangles, and any curved or cylindrical surface. The rotary device holds the workpiece and rotates it under the laser or CNC tool, allowing the Opera to engrave wrap-around designs and full-circumference patterns. Strongly recommended for any jeweler whose work includes ring engraving.

Rotating Vise — a precision workholding fixture for engraving on rings and rounded surfaces with greater clamping control. Complements the rotary device for secure, repeatable workpiece positioning. Recommended for production environments where consistent positioning across multiple identical pieces is required.

Vacuum System — removes chips, dust, and debris generated during CNC milling operations, keeping the work area clean and protecting the machine's optics and mechanics during extended milling sessions. Recommended for any buyer planning significant CNC milling work alongside laser operations.

Note: All optional accessories are sold separately. If your work primarily involves flat stock engraving and cutting, the included accessory kit is sufficient. If ring and bracelet engraving is a core use case, add the rotary device and rotating vise at the time of purchase.

Who the Opera Is Built For

The Opera is designed for small to mid-size shops where both laser engraving and CNC milling capability are needed, but the investment in two separate professional machines isn't justified. Specifically:

Custom jewelers who create bespoke pieces involving both surface engraving and three-dimensional milling or cutting in a single design — and want to complete that work in one session on one machine.

Jewelry repair and personalization studios offering engraving services who want to expand into diamond-cut effects, burnishing, and CNC-driven texture work without a second machine.

Small manufacturers producing custom-designed jewelry components, nameplates, medallions, and decorative metalwork in moderate volumes, where the Opera's unified workflow enables faster turnaround than a two-machine setup.

Artisans and designers entering precision fabrication who want professional-grade laser and CNC capability in a single, learnable system with a software interface that doesn't require a machining background.

The Opera is not designed for large-scale industrial production requiring maximum throughput. For high-volume laser engraving or cutting at production scale, Sunstone's Orion LZR Pro and Eco series laser engravers are the appropriate tools. The Opera is purpose-built for the creative, custom, and mid-production environment where versatility matters more than volume.

Why Buy the Opera From The Maker's Chest?

75-Day Return Window — the most generous return policy in the channel. At $19,000, this is a significant investment. You have 75 days to evaluate the Opera in your actual workflow and studio conditions before committing.

Expert USA-Based Technical Support — the Opera is sold and supported in the United States by Sunstone's team. Our in-house support adds an additional layer of application guidance for setup, software configuration, and workflow integration.

Dual Lines of Support — both our team and Sunstone's USA-based support resources are available to you. Two channels working for your success on one purchase.

Authorized Sunstone Reseller — genuine product, full 2-year manufacturer warranty, Sunstone-backed support in the USA.

👉 Download the Opera Data Sheet, Opera Quick Install Guide, and Opera User's Guide for full specifications and setup instructions.

Frequently Asked Questions

What makes the Opera different from a standalone laser engraver? A standalone laser engraver performs surface marking and engraving — it cannot remove material three-dimensionally or create relief features. The Opera adds a full CNC milling capability alongside the laser, allowing the same machine to engrave, cut, mill, burnish, and create diamond-cut effects. The key operational advantage is that both technologies work on the same workpiece in the same session without repositioning — maintaining precision alignment between laser and CNC operations that would be very difficult to achieve across two separate machines.

Does the Opera replace a professional CNC milling machine? For jewelry-scale work — rings, pendants, bracelets, medallions, small nameplates — yes, the Opera's CNC capability covers the production scope of most custom jewelers and small manufacturers. For large-scale industrial milling or high-volume production runs, a dedicated professional CNC machine will offer higher throughput. The Opera is designed for the creative, custom, and mid-production environment, not industrial-scale volume work.

What metals can the Opera engrave and mill? The laser engraving capability works on all metals that respond to fiber laser marking — gold, silver, platinum, stainless steel, titanium, copper, brass, aluminum, and most precious and non-precious alloys used in jewelry. The CNC milling capability works on metals appropriate for jewelry-scale mechanical cutting. Contact our team for guidance on specific alloys or unusual materials.

Is the Opera software difficult to learn? Opera Easy Creator is designed for users at all experience levels — the included design template library allows first-time users to begin producing finished results quickly. Users with design experience can import custom artwork and vectors. The software controls both laser and CNC operations from a single interface, so there is one learning curve rather than two.

Can the Opera engrave on the inside of a ring? Engraving on the inside of a ring requires the optional rotary device. With the rotary device installed, the Opera can engrave both the outside and inside of rings and other curved surfaces. If ring engraving is a primary use case, the rotary device and rotating vise are recommended accessories.

What is the laser marking area and can it be extended? The standard laser marking area is 100 × 100mm. With the optional rotating table and moving scan head, this extends to 150 × 150mm — accommodating larger flat pieces and longer engraving paths. For context, this covers the full surface of most rings, pendants, bracelets, and small nameplates within the standard work area.

How does the Opera handle chip removal during CNC milling? During CNC milling, metal chips and debris are generated. The optional vacuum system removes this material in real time, protecting the machine's optics and keeping the work area clean. For buyers planning significant CNC milling work, the vacuum system is a recommended addition.

What warranty does the Opera carry? The Opera is backed by a 2-year manufacturer's warranty from ElettroLaser. As an authorized Sunstone reseller, purchases through The Maker's Chest are covered under that warranty with Sunstone's USA-based support team handling service coordination.

What is your return policy? 75-day returns. If the Opera doesn't perform as expected in your studio or production environment, reach out and we'll take care of you.

Brand: ElettroLaser / Sunstone | Manufactured in Italy | Max Laser Area: 100×100mm (150×150mm with accessories) | Max CNC Area: 200×140mm | Starting at $19,000 | 2-Year Warranty