Correction: A previous version of this article misrepresented the automatic passthrough feature of the P2. The text has been corrected.
xTool has announced the impending launch of the xTool P2, a powerful-yet-pricey CO2 laser cutter set to rival similar high-end machines, such as those offered by Glowforge.
Boasting 55W of power, xTool claims the P2 can cut through 18 mm of black walnut or 20 mm of acrylic in one pass and 3 mm of basswood at 35 mm/s, some six times faster than a 20W diode laser. Meanwhile, built-in air assist and fans allow for faster, cleaner cuts and prevent burnt edges.
Two 16 MP smart cameras – one panoramic and one close-range – respectively provide a live preview of the P2’s working area, enabling users to batch-process groups of smaller objects, and an autofocus feature, which allows the machine to recognize a material’s height and type, as well as engrave curved surfaces on glass, metal, anodized alloys, stainless steel, and the boatload of additional materials with which the P2 is compatible.
The P2 features a novel automatic passthrough feature that positions long materials that extend beyond the bounds of the machine. An optional automatic conveyor feeder attachment can support jobs with extremely long materials. A riser base add-on, that’s bumped up to 8.5 in. There’s also a rotary attachment, which allows for 360-degree engraving of spherical or cylindrical objects.
The P2 is fully enclosed with an automatically locking, light-filtered glass lid offering a method of protected viewing and an emergency button that immediately shuts down the machine should the need arise. An “exception warnings” feature ups safety another notch, alerting users to potentially hazardous conditions, such as a lack of cooling water. An optional fire safety kit can be equipped to extinguish fires, while an (also optional) smoke purifier can scrub the machine’s exhaust automatically.
In all, the P2 seems to be a professional-grade, feature-packed entry to the laser cutting space – and at $4,999, it boasts the price tag to prove it. With that said, preorders are currently open at $4,199. Orders placed from customers in the US and Canada will begin to ship in May. xTool details more in a blog post, or you can head to the P2 product page to snag your own.
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License: The text of "xTool Announces Powerful-Yet-Pricey CO2 Laser Cutter" by All3DP is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.