Laser News Digest - April 14, 2026
Published
Gweike's MCore is the biggest laser announcement of April 2026: a 400W fiber + 80W CO2 hybrid desktop machine with industrial servo motors and ±0.02mm precision. xTool is entering UV printing in Q2 2026 alongside its new AImake AI agent, while Glowforge is restructuring financially — a potential inflection point for the cloud-laser market.
Gweike MCore: The World's First Desktop Hybrid Fiber + CO2 Laser System
Gweike has introduced the MCore — the world's first desktop machine that integrates a 400W fiber laser for metal cutting and engraving alongside an 80W CO2 laser for non-metal materials like wood, acrylic, and leather. It features a 16MP wide-angle camera, auto-conveyor feeding, and industrial servo motors delivering ±0.02mm precision.
If you run a workshop that handles both metal and non-metal jobs, this replaces two machines with one footprint. The 400W fiber means single-pass cuts through thin steel and aluminum, while the 80W CO2 handles your existing wood and acrylic workflows. The auto-conveyor feeding is the real sleeper feature for production shops running batch jobs.
💡What this means for you
400W fiber = cuts thin steel, aluminum, brass in a single pass. 80W CO2 = cuts 20mm+ wood and thick acrylic. The industrial servo motors (not stepper motors) provide ±0.02mm repeatability — that is industrial-grade precision in a desktop form factor. The 16MP camera enables live workspace preview for precise material placement.
Market Position: This sits in completely uncharted territory. No other desktop machine combines fiber and CO2 in one chassis. The closest alternative is buying a Gweike/OMTech CO2 AND a separate fiber unit, which costs more and takes double the floor space. If the price lands under $15K, this disrupts the prosumer-to-light-industrial segment.
- Retail pricing has not been officially confirmed — likely $8K–$15K range based on component costs
- Work area dimensions not fully specified in initial press materials
- Software compatibility — will it support LightBurn for both laser sources?
⏸️ Wait if: You only work with non-metals — a standalone CO2 like the xTool P3 or OMTech Polar is more than enough, You need a fully confirmed spec sheet and community reviews before committing
✅ Buy if: You currently own separate fiber and CO2 machines and want to consolidate, You run a production shop doing mixed-material jobs (e.g., metal signs with wood bases)
🏆 Standout Features
xTool Enters UV Printing with Q2 2026 Desktop Printer Launch, Introduces AImake AI Agent
Following previews at CES 2026, xTool is preparing to launch its first desktop UV printer in Q2 2026. The machine targets a 'print on anything' use case — cylindrical items, phone cases, leather goods. Simultaneously, xTool is rolling out AImake, an AI crafting agent integrated into xTool Studio that assists users from design refinement through fabrication.
xTool entering UV printing puts them in direct competition with the eufyMake E1 and their own ecosystem partner OMTech. For existing xTool laser owners, the appeal is obvious: one software ecosystem (xTool Studio) controlling both your laser and UV printer. The AImake AI agent could be a game-changer for hobbyists who struggle with the design-to-production gap.
OMTech Expands Beyond Lasers: UV Printers, DTF, and Embroidery Join the Ecosystem
OMTech is no longer just a laser company. Their ecosystem now includes CO2 and fiber lasers alongside UV printers, DTF (Direct to Film) printers, and embroidery machines. The brand continues to emphasize offline operation, LightBurn compatibility, and high-wattage value positioning as core differentiators.
For makers running small businesses, OMTech is quietly building the most complete single-vendor production ecosystem in the desktop space. If you already own an OMTech laser, staying in-ecosystem for UV and DTF means fewer software headaches and potentially better cross-device workflow integration down the road.
Glowforge Files for Creditor Restructuring — What It Means for Owners
Glowforge has filed for an Assignment for the Benefit of Creditors (ABC) to navigate financial challenges. Despite the business restructuring, the company continues updating its software ecosystem — expanding Glowforge Premium to non-Glowforge laser owners and introducing new design tools like Box Builder and improved Smartfit nesting.
If you own a Glowforge, do not panic — ABC is not bankruptcy cancellation. Your machine still works. But this is a signal to pay attention. Cloud-dependent machines carry inherent risk: if the company restructures further, your laser's functionality depends on servers you do not control. This is exactly why we have consistently recommended machines that support offline operation and open software like LightBurn.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can the Gweike MCore cut metal and wood with one machine?▼
Yes. The MCore integrates a 400W fiber laser for metals (steel, aluminum, brass) and an 80W CO2 laser for non-metals (wood, acrylic, leather) in a single desktop chassis. It is the first hybrid desktop laser system to combine both laser sources.
Is Glowforge going out of business?▼
Not exactly. Glowforge has filed for an Assignment for the Benefit of Creditors (ABC), which is a restructuring process — not a traditional bankruptcy. The company continues to update its software and support existing customers. However, Glowforge machines rely on cloud servers for operation, which means long-term functionality depends on the company maintaining those servers.
When is the xTool UV printer coming out?▼
xTool is targeting Q2 2026 for its first desktop UV printer launch, following CES 2026 previews. The machine aims to print on cylindrical items, phone cases, leather, and other surfaces. It will integrate with xTool Studio alongside their existing laser products.