Laser News Digest - February 3, 2026
Published
xTool officially released AImake v2 in February 2026, upgrading their AI crafting agent with improved design generation and workflow automation. Meanwhile, OMTech announced a formal Education Program offering 5-20% discounts to schools nationwide, building on their STEM partnership with Brain Builders. Industry analysts note more 100W+ CO2 options entering the mid-range market.
xTool Launches AImake v2: AI Crafting Agent Gets Major Upgrade
Following our previous coverage of AImake's CES 2026 debut, xTool has officially released version 2 of their AI crafting agent in February 2026. The update promises significant improvements in design generation quality, workflow integration, and multi-machine support.
AImake v2 addresses early user feedback about design quality and template limits. The key upgrade is tighter xTool Studio integration - AI-generated designs now translate directly to optimized cut paths without manual adjustment. This could significantly reduce the 'idea to object' time for crafters who struggle with design software. See our original coverage in the <a href='/news/laser-digest-2026-01-29'>January 29 laser digest</a>.
💡What this means for you
Version 2 improvements include: enhanced LLM-driven design generation with better understanding of material constraints, automatic kerf compensation for AI-generated designs, and batch project generation for production workflows.
Market Position: xTool is betting that AI-assisted design will lower the barrier to entry for laser crafting. Competitors like Glowforge have similar features brewing, but xTool's head start could establish early ecosystem lock-in.
- Performance comparison to v1 generation quality
- Compatibility with non-xTool machines via SVG export
- Subscription pricing vs. perpetual license
⏸️ Wait if: You're proficient in design software like Illustrator/Inkscape, AI design quality doesn't meet your production standards yet
✅ Buy if: Design is your bottleneck, not fabrication, You want to offer 'custom design' services without hiring a designer
OMTech Formalizes Education Program with 5-20% School Discounts
Building on their STEM partnership with Brain Builders announced in January, OMTech has formally launched their Education Program. The initiative offers educational institutions 5-20% discounts on laser equipment, free starter materials, and comprehensive teaching resources including lesson plans and tutorials.
This formalizes what was previously ad-hoc educational outreach. The 5-20% discount tier structure rewards larger purchases - districts buying multiple machines get better rates. The real value proposition is the teaching resources: lesson plans, safety curricula, and project templates reduce the burden on teachers to become laser experts overnight. See our earlier coverage of the Brain Builders partnership in the <a href='/news/laser-digest-2026-01-29'>January 29 digest</a>.
💡What this means for you
Program includes: tiered discount structure (5% for single units, up to 20% for district purchases), free starter material kits, ready-to-use lesson plans aligned with STEAM curricula, and dedicated education support line.
Market Position: Competes with Glowforge's established education presence and Epilog's traditional industrial education market. OMTech's price point advantage makes them attractive for budget-constrained public schools.
- Certification or PO requirements for discount eligibility
- Specific lesson plan topics and grade levels
- Whether homeschool co-ops qualify
Market Analysis: 100W+ CO2 Lasers Entering Mid-Range Price Brackets
Industry analysts note a shift in the desktop laser market: higher-wattage CO2 options (100W, 130W) are becoming available in mid-range price brackets under $8,000. Previously, these power levels required $15,000+ industrial investments.
This democratization follows the pattern we've seen in diode lasers, where 20W became the new 5W. For makers doing production work or cutting thick materials, 100W+ CO2 eliminates multiple-pass cutting frustration. The tradeoff: larger footprints, dedicated ventilation, and potentially 220V power requirements.
💡What this means for you
100W CO2 cuts 10mm acrylic in a single pass at reasonable speeds. 130W handles 15-20mm. Glass tube options from Chinese manufacturers like OMTech and Gweike drive the price reduction; Thunder Laser's RF options remain premium but offer longer tube life.
Market Position: This fills the gap between $2,000-4,000 desktop lasers and $20,000+ industrial machines. Small-batch manufacturers and serious hobbyists are the target demographic.
- Long-term reliability of budget 100W+ systems
- Tube replacement costs and availability
- Safety considerations for home use
⏸️ Wait if: Your current wattage handles your materials fine, You lack 220V power or dedicated ventilation space
✅ Buy if: Multi-pass cutting is slowing production, You're scaling up from hobby to business production
Frequently Asked Questions
What's new in xTool AImake v2?▼
AImake v2 includes improved AI design generation with better material understanding, automatic kerf compensation for laser-ready output, tighter xTool Studio integration, and batch project generation for production workflows. It builds on the v1 foundation announced at CES 2026.
Who qualifies for OMTech's Education Program discounts?▼
K-12 schools, community colleges, universities, and registered educational institutions can apply. Discount tiers range from 5% for single-unit purchases to 20% for district-level bulk orders. Contact OMTech's education team for eligibility confirmation.
Is 100W CO2 overkill for home use?▼
For most hobbyists, yes. 100W+ primarily benefits those cutting thick materials (12mm+ wood, 10mm+ acrylic) or doing volume production where single-pass cutting saves significant time. The machines are larger, require dedicated ventilation, and may need 220V power. 40-60W handles typical craft work efficiently.