Laser News Digest - April 26, 2026
Published
Gweike's G3 series (launched January 28, 2026) delivers five configurations pairing MOPA fiber and diode lasers in one desktop machine — the G3 Ultra tops out at 60W MOPA + 40W diode for $3,000-range pricing. Glowforge's restarted 20-person team has shipped Box Builder AI, AI Magic Canvas for all subscribers, and a Mulberry extended warranty protecting new purchases through 2029. xTool's HKEX IPO filing from January 1 remains in the approval queue with no public listing date.
Gweike G3 Dual-Laser Series: Five Models Pair MOPA Fiber and Diode in One Desktop Machine
Gweike launched the G3 series on January 28, 2026 — five desktop laser systems that combine a MOPA fiber laser and a diode laser in a single open-frame machine. The lineup runs from the G3 Basic (20W fiber + 20W diode) through the G3 Ultra (60W MOPA + 40W diode). All models share a 15,000mm/s maximum speed, 0.01mm precision, and a 16MP smart camera. The fiber wavelength handles metals (cutting 2mm copper and stainless steel at the top tier, 100+ permanent colors on steel/titanium/gold via MOPA pulse modulation) while the diode wavelength handles organics (cutting up to 20mm wood). The G3 Ultra and G3 Pro are available on Amazon with 7-10 day shipping. The G3 series complements the separately announced Gweike MCore, which pairs fiber with CO2 instead of diode — giving buyers a choice of metal-and-organics combinations.
The G3 series is the most significant desktop laser product that went uncovered in 2026's digest cycle. Launched on January 28 — one day before the CES-focused January 29 digests — it was buried under the wave of AImake, xTool UV printer, and Glowforge restructuring news. Now three months post-launch, real-world reviews are in and it is shipping without wait times. The G3 Ultra at 60W MOPA is particularly meaningful: previous dual-laser machines paired CO2 and diode. A 60W MOPA + 40W diode combination covers metal color marking, metal cutting, deep wood cutting, and non-metal engraving without needing a CO2 tube — simpler maintenance, smaller footprint. If your current machine is a single-wavelength diode and you want metal capability without a fiber-only unit, the G3 Pro or Ultra is the clearest upgrade path on the market right now.
💡What this means for you
G3 Basic: 20W fiber + 20W diode. G3 Standard: 30W fiber + 20W diode. G3 Plus: 50W fiber + 20W diode. G3 Pro: 30W MOPA + 40W diode. G3 Ultra: 60W MOPA + 40W diode. All models: 15,000mm/s speed, 0.01mm precision, 16MP smart camera. 60W MOPA cuts 2mm copper and stainless steel; produces 100+ permanent colors on metals via pulse modulation (1-4000 kHz adjustable frequency, 2-500 ns pulse width). 40W diode cuts up to 20mm wood with carbon-free edges.
Market Position: The G3 series fills the gap between pure-diode engravers (no metal cutting) and expensive industrial fiber systems. It directly competes with xTool's M series and the Atomstack B range at the lower end, while the G3 Ultra targets the same buyer as the ComMarker B4 — but with an integrated diode for organics rather than requiring a separate machine. The MCore (400W fiber + 80W CO2) sits above the G3 series for buyers who need heavier metal cutting or CO2-grade wood performance.
- How does the 16MP camera-assisted positioning compare to xTool Creative Space's camera workflow?
- What is the effective max metal cutting thickness on the G3 Pro (30W MOPA) versus G3 Ultra (60W MOPA)?
- Support availability and US warranty service compared to xTool and OMTech, which have stronger US presences
⏸️ Wait if: You primarily need thick metal cutting — the MCore's 400W fiber is purpose-built for that, You want manufacturer support with US showroom access — OMTech Santa Ana is the only walk-in option
✅ Buy if: You want MOPA color marking capability AND wood cutting in one open-frame machine under $3,000, You are upgrading from a single-wavelength diode and want to add metal capability without a separate CO2 or dedicated fiber unit
🏆 Standout Features
Glowforge Post-Restart Product Updates: Box Builder AI, AI Magic Canvas for All, and Mulberry Warranty to 2029
Following the April 24 report on Glowforge's restart under co-founders Dan Shapiro and Mark Gosselin, the restarted 20-person team has been actively shipping product updates. Box Builder — an AI tool that generates custom laser-cut box designs from natural language descriptions — is now live for subscribers. AI Magic Canvas, the AI-assisted design and generation tool, is now available to all subscribers with any Glowforge laser (previously tiered). Most significantly for buyers weighing cloud-dependency risk: starting March 25, new Glowforge purchases can add an extended warranty from Mulberry that covers the machine through 2029, providing a contractual backstop against the cloud-off scenario that concerned buyers throughout the restructuring period.
The Mulberry warranty is the most important development here for prospective buyers. Glowforge's cloud-dependent architecture has always been the primary objection: if the servers go down, the machine becomes a paperweight. An extended warranty through 2029 does not eliminate that risk, but it contractually commits a third-party insurer (Mulberry) to the machine's continued serviceability — creating financial accountability that the company alone could not provide during the ABC period. If you have been waiting on a Glowforge purchase because of cloud risk, the combination of founder-owned restart + Mulberry warranty coverage through 2029 is a meaningful risk reduction. Box Builder and AI Magic Canvas are quality-of-life improvements that make the Glowforge's software-first approach more competitive with xTool Creative Space and LightBurn.
xTool's Hong Kong IPO: Four Months In, Still Awaiting HKEX Approval — Analyst Flags Weakening Core Sales
xTool Innovate Ltd. filed its IPO prospectus with the Hong Kong Stock Exchange (HKEX) on January 1, 2026. As of late April 2026, the application remains in the standard review process with no listing date announced. Underwritten by Morgan Stanley (one of two lead underwriters), the filing highlights 2B+ yuan in 2024 revenue, ~47% global market share in laser engravers and cutters, and a $1.1B valuation following a November 2025 Series D. However, financial analysts at Bamboo Works and Benzinga have flagged concerns about weakening core product sales revenue — a trend that xTool's CES 2026 launches (AImake, UV printer, P3) appear designed to address through diversification into adjacent categories.
Four months without a listing date is not unusual for HKEX applications in the current environment, but the 'weakening core product sales' observation is worth watching for buyers. If xTool's laser engraver revenue growth is slowing while it invests in UV printing, AI features, and the MetalFab category, that resource allocation could affect near-term laser R&D pacing. The company is profitable and cash-rich ($163M at last count), so this is not a distress signal — but it does suggest the laser-only buyer's relationship with xTool is shifting from 'primary customer' to 'one segment among several.' For buyers comparing xTool to OMTech or Gweike, brand focus matters: xTool is diversifying while OMTech is doubling down on the maker ecosystem (UV, DTF, embroidery) and Gweike is iterating tightly on laser hardware.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Gweike G3 and how is it different from other desktop lasers?▼
The Gweike G3 is a dual-laser desktop engraver combining a MOPA fiber laser (for metals) and a diode laser (for organics) in one machine. Available in five configurations from G3 Basic (20W+20W) to G3 Ultra (60W MOPA+40W diode), it lets a single machine color-mark metals, cut stainless steel and copper, and cut up to 20mm wood — tasks that previously required two separate machines.
Does Glowforge still require a cloud connection in 2026?▼
Yes, Glowforge still requires cloud connectivity for operation. However, the restarted company (now owned by co-founders Dan Shapiro and Mark Gosselin) has introduced a Mulberry extended warranty available from March 25, 2026, covering new purchases through 2029 — providing some contractual protection against the cloud-dependency risk.
When will xTool go public?▼
xTool filed its IPO prospectus with the Hong Kong Stock Exchange on January 1, 2026. As of late April 2026, no listing date has been announced. The company controls approximately 47% of the global laser engraver market and was valued at $1.1 billion following a November 2025 Series D round.
Which Gweike G3 model should I buy?▼
For most makers who want both metal color marking and wood cutting: the G3 Pro (30W MOPA + 40W diode) is the entry point for MOPA metal engraving. The G3 Ultra (60W MOPA + 40W diode) adds metal cutting capability. The G3 Basic through G3 Plus use standard fiber (not MOPA), which limits color marking on metals. All models run 15,000mm/s at 0.01mm precision.