Laser Digest - February 13, 2026
Published
xTool officially released AImake v2, upgrading its AI crafting agent with improved design generation, deeper xTool Studio integration, and multi-machine job queuing. OMTech launched a structured Education Program offering 5-20% equipment discounts, free starter materials, and teaching curricula to schools and makerspaces. Gweike's G2 Pro 30W portable fiber laser is gaining traction for producing over 90 colors on stainless steel and titanium at speeds up to 15,000mm/s.
xTool AImake v2 Launches with Multi-Machine Workflow Automation
xTool has officially released AImake v2, the next evolution of its AI crafting agent that debuted at CES 2026. The update brings improved design quality from text prompts, deeper integration with xTool Studio for one-click job setup, and a new multi-machine queue system that lets users push designs to different xTool machines (laser, UV printer, vinyl cutter) from a single project file.
AImake v1 was an impressive demo but had limited practical use for serious makers. Version 2 bridges the gap between 'AI toy' and 'production tool' by adding job queuing across machines. The ability to design a product in AImake, split it into laser-cut parts and UV-printed labels, and send each to the right machine from one interface is a genuine workflow improvement. This positions xTool's ecosystem as the most integrated in the hobby laser space, competing less with LightBurn and more with Cricut's end-to-end approach.
💡What this means for you
AImake v2: Improved diffusion-based design generation. Multi-machine queue via xTool Studio 3.8. Supports F1 Ultra, P2S, and Screen Printer. Cloud project sync across devices.
Market Position: xTool is the only laser brand with a built-in AI design agent. Positions the ecosystem as 'Apple of Lasers' — walled garden but seamless experience.
- Does multi-machine queue work with non-xTool devices?
- Quality of AI-generated cut files vs hand-designed SVGs
- Privacy policy for designs processed through AImake cloud
⏸️ Wait if: You already use LightBurn and don't need AI design generation
✅ Buy if: You own multiple xTool machines and want unified workflow
OMTech Launches Formal Education Program with Tiered School Discounts
OMTech has formalized its education outreach with a structured Education Program. Schools and makerspaces can now apply for tiered discounts of 5-20% on equipment, with higher tiers unlocked by volume purchases. The program includes free starter material kits (acrylic, plywood, and leather samples), downloadable teaching curricula, and dedicated support channels for educators.
OMTech is playing the long game. By getting its machines into schools at a discount, they're creating a generation of users who learn on OMTech hardware. This is the same strategy that made Adobe dominant in creative software — give it to students, and they'll buy it as professionals. The inclusion of actual teaching materials (not just a discount code) shows this is a serious program, not just a marketing stunt. For schools choosing between a $1,200 Glowforge Aura and a discounted OMTech Polar, the OMTech now comes with a curriculum that justifies the purchase to administrators.
💡What this means for you
Tiered discount structure: Tier 1 (5% off single machine), Tier 2 (10% off 3+ machines), Tier 3 (20% off 10+ machines). Free starter kit included. Dedicated edu support line. Builds on existing Brain Builders STEM partnership.
Market Position: Competing with Glowforge's established education presence and Epilog's legacy in schools. OMTech's price-to-power ratio gives it an edge in budget-conscious districts.
- Is the curriculum aligned with specific state standards (NGSS, CTE)?
- Warranty terms for educational vs. consumer purchases
- Whether the program extends to international schools
⏸️ Wait if: Your school already has a Glowforge or Epilog fleet with existing curricula
✅ Buy if: You're outfitting a new makerspace and need the best power-per-dollar with teaching support
Gweike G2 Pro 30W Fiber Laser Gains Traction for 90-Color Metal Marking
Gweike's G2 Pro 30W portable fiber laser engraver is generating buzz in maker communities for its ability to produce over 90 distinct colors on stainless steel and titanium through MOPA pulse-width control. The compact unit ($2,499) engraves at speeds up to 15,000mm/s and supports deep engraving up to 0.5mm on hardened steel, making it viable for both artistic color marking and functional industrial engraving.
Color marking on metal has traditionally required $10K+ MOPA fiber lasers. The G2 Pro bringing this capability to the $2,500 price point is significant for jewelers, knife makers, and custom firearms engravers. The 90-color claim needs verification — in practice, achieving consistent colors requires very precise power/speed/frequency tuning, and results vary by alloy. But even 20 reliable colors would be a breakthrough at this price. The portability factor (12.5kg) also makes it a viable on-site service tool for industrial marking jobs.
💡What this means for you
30W MOPA fiber source. 90+ color palette via pulse width modulation (1-500ns). Max speed 15,000mm/s. Deep engrave: 0.5mm on hardened steel. Work area: 175x175mm. Weight: 12.5kg. Software: EzCad compatible.
Market Position: Priced below competing portable fiber lasers (xTool F1 Ultra fiber module ~$3,999). Targets jewelers, custom shops, and industrial marking services.
- Consistency of color reproduction across batches
- Laser source lifespan and warranty terms
- EzCad-only workflow vs LightBurn fiber support
⏸️ Wait if: You need a larger work area or need to mark on curved surfaces
✅ Buy if: You do custom metal engraving and want affordable color marking capability
Frequently Asked Questions
What is xTool AImake v2?▼
AImake v2 is xTool's AI crafting assistant that generates designs from text prompts and now supports multi-machine workflow automation. It integrates directly with xTool Studio to push jobs to lasers, UV printers, and vinyl cutters from a single project.
Who qualifies for the OMTech Education Program?▼
K-12 schools, universities, vocational training centers, and registered makerspaces can apply. Discounts range from 5% (single machine) to 20% (10+ machines), and all tiers include free starter material kits and teaching curricula.
Can the Gweike G2 Pro really do 90 colors on metal?▼
The G2 Pro uses MOPA pulse-width control to create oxide layers of varying thickness on stainless steel and titanium, producing different colors. While 90+ colors are theoretically achievable, practical results depend on alloy composition and precise parameter tuning. Expect 20-40 reliable, repeatable colors with standard settings.