Laser Digest - February 11, 2026
Published
Glowforge is showing signs of life after its late-2025 restructuring, launching Box Builder (AI-powered custom box design tool), new vector Combine tools, and an extended warranty program through 2029. Meanwhile, Gweike Cloud unveiled the G2 Pro, a 30W portable fiber laser engraver capable of 15,000mm/s and producing over 90 colors on metal surfaces. Gweike also launched a portable laser welding machine targeting on-site fabrication and equipment maintenance, signaling a push into field-deployable laser tools.
Glowforge Launches Box Builder and Design Tools Post-Restructuring
Three months after its Assignment for Benefit of Creditors restructuring, Glowforge is shipping meaningful product updates. Box Builder is a new AI-powered tool that generates cut-ready, finger-jointed box designs from user-specified dimensions. The app also gained new Combine tools (subtract, divide, intersect) for vector shape manipulation, an updated onboarding tutorial, and Magic Canvas UI improvements. A new extended warranty program through partner Mulberry offers protection through 2029, starting March 25.
The fact that Glowforge is shipping features -- not just surviving -- three months after near-bankruptcy is the real story here. Box Builder addresses a genuine pain point: parametric box generation is one of the most common laser cutting tasks, and most users resort to external generators like MakerCase or Boxes.py. Bringing this in-house is smart. The Combine tools (boolean operations on vectors) fill a gap that previously required switching to Inkscape or Illustrator. And the extended warranty through 2029 is a deliberate confidence signal -- you don't sell 4-year warranties if you're planning to fold. The question remains: with co-founders running a leaner operation, can they sustain this pace of development?
💡What this means for you
Box Builder: parametric finger-joint box generator with customizable dimensions, material thickness, and joint sizing. Combine tools: boolean vector operations (subtract, divide, intersect) for complex shape creation. Extended warranty: third-party program through Mulberry covering Glowforge devices through 2029. Updated onboarding tutorial for new users.
Market Position: Post-restructuring Glowforge competes against xTool (P3, S1), OMTech (Polar/Solis), and Thunder Laser (Bolt) in the desktop CO2 space. The cloud-based design ecosystem remains Glowforge's primary differentiator -- Box Builder and Combine tools make the case for staying within their walled garden rather than using external design tools.
- Development team size and roadmap post-restructuring
- Whether 'restart' means new hardware development or software-only focus
- Long-term viability with smaller team and reduced funding
- Impact on used Glowforge resale values
⏸️ Wait if: You're concerned about long-term company viability -- the restructuring is still recent
✅ Buy if: You value ease-of-use over power and the design tools match your workflow needs
Gweike Cloud G2 Pro 30W: Portable Fiber Laser with 90+ Color Marking
Gweike Cloud unveiled the G2 Pro, a 30W portable fiber laser engraver capable of deep metal engraving at speeds up to 15,000mm/s. The standout feature is its ability to produce over 90 distinct colors on stainless steel and titanium through oxide layer manipulation, opening creative applications beyond traditional monochrome marking.
Color marking on fiber lasers is done through precisely controlling oxide layer thickness on metals -- different temperatures and pulse patterns create different colors. Getting 90+ distinct, reproducible colors is impressive and suggests sophisticated pulse control. For makers and small businesses, this means promotional products (colored logo engravings on stainless drinkware, titanium jewelry) without inks or coatings. At 30W and 15,000mm/s, the G2 Pro is serious hardware positioned at the prosumer tier -- not a toy fiber marker.
💡What this means for you
30W fiber laser source with MOPA-style pulse control for color oxide layer creation. 15,000mm/s maximum marking speed. Portable form factor for field/studio deployment. Supports deep engraving on metals including stainless steel, titanium, aluminum, copper, and brass. 90+ reproducible colors on suitable substrates.
Market Position: Competes with xTool F2 Ultra UV in the portable marking segment but with different technology (fiber vs UV). Other competitors include JPT fiber sources used in budget Chinese markers and desktop units from Commarker and EM-Smart. The 90+ color capability is a differentiator if independently verified.
- Pricing (critical for prosumer positioning)
- Color consistency across production runs
- Working area dimensions
- Software ecosystem and file format support
⏸️ Wait if: You need independent color marking verification before investing
✅ Buy if: You sell custom drinkware/jewelry and want to add color engraving without UV printing
Gweike Launches Portable Laser Welding Machine for Field Fabrication
Gweike has released a portable laser welding machine designed to replace traditional MIG and TIG welding in field applications. The system targets on-site fabrication, equipment maintenance, and small-batch metal manufacturing with faster speeds, cleaner welds, and more consistent results than conventional methods. Alongside it, Gweike introduced the M Series Multifunction Laser System, an all-in-one platform for fabrication workshops.
Laser welding going portable is a significant accessibility step. Traditional laser welders are stationary, expensive, and require skilled operators. A portable unit that can handle field repairs and small-batch fabrication opens laser welding to maintenance crews, automotive shops, and mobile fabricators. For the maker community, this is less directly relevant -- most won't need a laser welder. But it signals Gweike's ambition to become a full-stack laser company (cutting, engraving, marking, and now welding), which strengthens their ecosystem play against competitors who only cover cutting/engraving.
💡What this means for you
Handheld fiber laser welding head with adjustable beam wobble for gap bridging. Designed for steel, stainless steel, aluminum, and copper welding at thicknesses comparable to traditional MIG/TIG. M Series Multifunction platform combines cutting, engraving, and welding capabilities in a single workstation.
Market Position: Competes with IPG Photonics, Raycus, and MAX Photonics in the handheld laser welding segment. The M Series multifunction concept follows a trend toward all-in-one platforms seen in CNC (e.g., Snapmaker, Makera) and 3D printing (e.g., Prusa XL with tool changer).
- Weld strength certifications (AWS D17.1 or equivalent)
- Safety certifications for portable laser welding
- Pricing and target market positioning
- Dealer/support network for field service users
⏸️ Wait if: You're a maker -- this is industrial equipment, not a desktop tool
✅ Buy if: You run a fabrication shop replacing MIG/TIG and want faster, cleaner welds
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Glowforge still in business after the restructuring?▼
Yes. Glowforge's co-founders reacquired the company's key assets through an Assignment for Benefit of Creditors in late 2025. They are actively shipping new features (Box Builder, Combine tools) and offering extended warranties through 2029, indicating ongoing operations.
What is color marking on a fiber laser?▼
Color marking uses precisely controlled laser pulses to create oxide layers of specific thicknesses on metals like stainless steel and titanium. Different thicknesses reflect different colors of light, producing vivid, permanent color engravings without inks or coatings. The Gweike G2 Pro claims 90+ distinct colors.
Can a portable laser welder replace MIG welding?▼
For many applications, yes. Portable laser welders offer faster speeds, smaller heat-affected zones, and less distortion than MIG welding. They excel at thin-material welding and cosmetic welds. However, they typically have lower penetration depth than MIG/TIG for thick structural work.