xTool Launching MetalFab All-in-One Laser Welding and Cutting System
xTool has unveiled the MetalFab, a next-generation metal fabrication system that combines laser welding, cutting, and cleaning in a single machine.
Launched via a Kickstarter campaign in April 2025, the MetalFab aims to make industrial-grade metalworking capabilities accessible to professional crafters, small manufacturers, and educational institutions worldwide. The system integrates a powerful fiber laser (available in 1200 W or 800 W models) with CNC automation and smart features, allowing users to weld, cut, and clean metal with one device.
By consolidating multiple fabrication processes, xTool’s MetalFab promises “all-in-one” convenience with “industrial-grade” precision, yet at a price point far below typical industrial machines.
Early backers can pre-order the MetalFab for about $6,499 (with shipments expected by July 2025)– a fraction of the six-figure costs of high-end industrial laser cutters or welding systems. This has generated excitement among makers and industry observers, as the MetalFab could democratize advanced metal fabrication much like desktop CNC routers did for woodworking.
Key Features and Specifications
At the heart of the MetalFab is a fiber laser source built with “industrial-grade Coherent chips” that efficiently converts electricity into a 1200 W, 1080 nm laser beam. (A lower-cost 800 W version is also offered for lighter-duty needs.) This high-power fiber laser is delivered through a handheld welding/cutting head or mounted on a CNC motion platform, enabling both manual and automated operations. The laser can process a variety of metals – including stainless steel, carbon steel, aluminum, and brass – with stable performance thanks to a dynamic galvo-mirror oscillation system.
In welding mode, the MetalFab can join metal thicknesses from 0.2 mm up to 5 mm with strong, precise seams. Notably, the laser produces a very small heat-affected zone (HAZ) – as low as 0.05 mm – which means minimal thermal distortion on thin materials. This allows for clean, high-quality welds that are often stronger than those from traditional TIG/MIG welding, due to the deeper penetration and narrower weld profile.
In cutting mode, the MetalFab’s capabilities are equally impressive. The 1200 W laser can cut through 10 mm thick carbon steel in a single pass (approximately 0.39 inches, with the 800 W model handling up to ~8 mm thickness). The cutting process leverages high energy density and assist gas to rapidly vaporize metal and blow away molten material, yielding smooth, burr-free edges with minimal slag. According to xTool, this results in little to no post-processing needed on cut parts.
The machine’s working area is around 24 inches in width and features a pass-through design that allows users to feed in oversized sheets or tubing for “infinitely” long cuts. In practice, this means the MetalFab can take a standard metal sheet (e.g. 4×8 ft) and cut large or continuous patterns by moving the sheet through the cutter – a feature especially useful for signage, architectural panels, or any project larger than the native bed. xTool calls this “FlexiTrack™” technology, enabling an expandable work area for large projects and efficient mass production.
To ensure precision and material efficiency, the MetalFab is equipped with a dual-camera system. A 16 MP overhead camera provides a live preview of the work area, while a secondary Z-axis macro camera focuses close-up for alignment of fine details. Backed by AI-driven software, these cameras can auto-generate optimal nesting layouts for parts, achieving up to 98.7% material utilization. This level of automation in positioning and nesting reduces waste and setup time – a clear advantage for small shops trying to maximize yield from expensive metal stock.
In addition, a feature called “Smart Flow Cutting” can algorithmically link linear cut paths when cutting repeated patterns (like an array of holes or parts), so that the laser cuts in a continuous path wherever possible rather than starting and stopping for each shape. This mode can boost cutting efficiency by about 50% on certain jobs, significantly increasing throughput for production runs.
Other industrial-grade aspects of the MetalFab include its robust safety and durability measures. The machine is built for 24/7 operation, with xTool claiming stable output even in challenging environments from -10 °C to 40 °C. It conforms to global safety standards (CE, FCC, FDA, etc.) and integrates 10 safety mechanisms, such as a dual-button trigger plus emergency stop on the laser gun, interlock circuits with a physical key, and an enclosed cutting chamber with auto-stop if opened. The protective enclosure is rated Class 1, blocking over 99.9% of 1080 nm laser radiation and using an explosion-proof viewing window for the operator’s safety.
These features are critical for use in schools or small workshops, ensuring that even novice operators and students can work with the high-power laser safely. Additionally, the system’s fiber laser is relatively efficient: it typically uses much less shielding gas than MIG/TIG welding (focusing only on the small weld pool) and consumes less electricity for an equivalent task due to higher thermal efficiency. xTool touts “50% gas saving” with MetalFab compared to conventional welding, which can translate to lower operating costs for businesses over time.
Welding, Cutting, and Cleaning in One
One of the MetalFab’s biggest selling points is its versatility – it’s not just a stationary laser cutter or fixed welding unit, but a multi-mode system that adapts to different metalworking tasks. The fiber laser head is detachable and handheld, allowing it to be used off the CNC gantry for flexible welding or cutting jobs. In fact, xTool’s design enables several distinct use cases:
- Precision CNC Laser Welding: Mounted on the gantry and working over the XYZ table, the laser can perform automated welds on small assemblies with high repeatability. This is useful for fabrication of intricate assemblies or when teaching robotic welding principles on a budget system. The CNC control ensures consistent weld patterns and makes it possible to weld complex geometries that might be difficult by hand.
- Handheld Laser Welding: For larger structures or on-site repair, the operator can remove the laser torch and use it much like a traditional welding gun. xTool advertises “no-experience welding” with this mode – even users without prior welding skill can “achieve smooth, durable welds with industrial-grade laser precision,” according to the company. Because the laser’s heat input is so targeted, it’s easier for a novice to avoid common welding mistakes like burn-through or warping. A wire feeder attachment allows the use of filler wire when needed, or the tool can do autogenous welds (fusing base metals directly) for a cleaner process. In an example of its unique capabilities, the MetalFab’s laser head is water-resistant, enabling underwater welding for special repair scenarios – it can literally “fix metal underwater with dry-land quality,” as xTool describes. This is a niche feature typically seen only in specialized industrial equipment, demonstrating the unit’s professional pedigree.
- CNC Laser Cutting: With the laser head on the gantry and the workpiece on the XYZ table, MetalFab functions as a traditional laser cutter. It can profile cut sheet metal (stainless, carbon steel, etc.) up to its thickness limits with industrial precision and cut quality. The inclusion of vibration-reducing algorithms (dubbed “VibeFreeCut™”) and other CNC enhancements helps ensure “flawless cutting results” even at the high speeds and accelerations the system can reach. While exact cutting speed specs haven’t been explicitly quoted, the high wattage implies it can cut common sheet metals very rapidly – a critical factor for small manufacturers looking to use it in production. Moreover, thanks to the manual feed pass-through, users can cut very large designs in sections, which standard enclosed laser machines often cannot accommodate. This effectively turns the MetalFab into a scalable cutting solution for things like long signage, architectural metalwork, or even chassis fabrication.
- Handheld Laser Cutting: Beyond the CNC table, the operator can also use the handheld laser torch to make on-site cuts on stationary objects – akin to how one would use a portable plasma cutter or angle grinder for trimming. The laser can slice through metal stock in tight spaces with clean edges and no flying sparks or abrasive dust. This is particularly useful for maintenance tasks, automotive fabrication (e.g., trimming a welded panel on a vehicle), or construction work where bringing the workpiece to the machine is impractical. The ability to carry the laser head to the work and cut freely adds a layer of flexibility that most CNC laser cutters lack.
- Laser Cleaning: Another innovative function is laser cleaning/rust removal. By attaching a special optics module, the MetalFab can act as a surface cleaner, stripping paint, oxide, or rust from metal surfaces with a 10 mm wide laser swath. This “rust eraser” can prepare parts for welding or restoration without chemicals or grinding. It’s a gentle process that vaporizes contaminants but doesn’t gouge the underlying metal, thus “protecting metal surfaces” while cleaning. For example, an operator could take a rusty bicycle chain or an old machine part and quickly clean it to a shiny base metal finish (an image from xTool shows the laser cleaning a bike chain link effortlessly). This cleaning capability is a welcome addition for anyone involved in equipment maintenance, automotive restoration, or art sculpture using reclaimed metal – tasks where removing corrosion or coatings is often labor-intensive.
The xTool MetalFab system features a CNC cutting platform with a pass-through slot, allowing large metal sheets to be fed for cutting. In this image, an operator slides a full-size sheet into the machine, illustrating how even oversized stock can be handled for engraving or cutting operations.
By offering all these functions, the MetalFab truly lives up to its “From DIY to Business – covers all your metal needs” slogan. Rather than purchasing separate machines – a laser cutter, a TIG welder, a plasma cutter, and a laser cleaning unit – a small workshop can invest in one MetalFab and gain multi-purpose capabilities. This not only saves floor space, but also ensures workflow integration: projects can seamlessly move from cutting to welding to finishing without delay. For instance, a metal artisan could cut components for a sculpture, weld them together, and clean the joints – all using the same machine, thereby streamlining the creative process.
Similarly, a small manufacturing firm could prototype a product by cutting sheet metal parts and welding the assembly in-house, accelerating development cycles and maintaining confidentiality (since they don’t need to outsource parts of the work).
Benefits for Small Manufacturers and Professional Crafters
For small manufacturers and fabrication businesses, xTool MetalFab represents an opportunity to adopt high-tech metalworking with a much lower barrier to entry. Traditionally, fiber laser cutters and automated welding systems are expensive and require specialized operators. In contrast, MetalFab is marketed as beginner-friendly, with an emphasis on intuitive control and quick learning.
The system comes with xTool’s integrated software, which one early reviewer noted is a strong point: “Pretty much no other manufacturer has built software like xTool… [with] full integration within the entire system,” said a tester from Make or Break Shop. Through a single interface, users can import designs, set up weld or cut paths aided by camera previews, and execute jobs with minimal tweaking. The approachable software and “low learning curve” mean that even a small shop with limited staff can operate the MetalFab effectively. As the YouTube channel Making Stuff observed, “if you have a shop where you’re making a lot of repetitive cuts or welds, or you have employees that you need to train, then the MetalFab would be excellent for this because of the speed, the duty cycle, and the low learning curve.”
Cost is a major factor for small enterprises, and here the MetalFab makes a compelling case. While precise international pricing is subject to exchange rates and regional taxes, the early-bird price of ~$6,500 is dramatically less than typical industrial laser systems. “I think this machine is going to be a great addition for anyone looking to add metal fabrication capabilities to their small- to medium-sized business without paying a six-figure price,” said a reviewer from Laser Engraving 911. That sentiment highlights how xTool’s solution targets a gap in the market – businesses that have outgrown hobby-grade tools but cannot invest in full-scale industrial equipment.
With MetalFab, a fabrication shop can take on a wider range of jobs (cutting custom parts, welding assemblies, repairing machinery) in-house. The ability to do both one-off custom jobs and moderate production runs on the same platform adds agility to their operations. For example, a small firm fabricating outdoor metal signs could cut intricate logos out of sheet metal and weld frame structures, all with one machine – fulfilling client orders faster and with total quality control.
Professional crafters, artists, and makers also stand to benefit. Many artisans working with metal (such as sculptors, custom furniture designers, or jewelry designers) often juggle multiple tools and outside services to realize their designs. The MetalFab gives them an “industrial precision” toolset in a relatively compact footprint. They can precisely cut motifs or components that would be impossible by hand, then use the laser welder to assemble pieces with nearly invisible seams. The fine control and low heat distortion are particularly useful for artistic work where aesthetics and detail are paramount. Additionally, the machine’s versatility encourages experimentation – a jeweler could etch patterns, weld posts or clasps, and clean oxidation from an old piece, for instance, using different settings of the laser.
“You can cut, fabricate, and weld in small shops without all of the extra bells and whistles,” noted one tester from Six Eight Woodworks, who emphasized that you’re “up and running with no experience. Here’s my first time welding ever — really, really simple.” Such feedback suggests that even creators new to metalwork can successfully use the MetalFab, lowering the entry barrier to working with metal medium. As a result, we may see more crossover where woodworkers, for example, start to incorporate metal accents into their products, or where makerspaces enable their members to try metal projects that were previously too advanced.
The MetalFab’s handheld laser head in action: here it is being used to slice through a stainless steel tube during a freehand cutting operation. The high-energy laser creates a precise cut with minimal sparks and no contact force, unlike traditional grinders or saws. Such portable cutting ability allows users to tackle modifications or repairs on large structures that won’t fit in a standard CNC machine.
Beyond creative applications, the MetalFab is also suited to practical repair and custom fabrication tasks that small businesses encounter. Auto repair shops, for instance, could use the laser cleaner to remove rust from car chassis sections and then laser-weld patches with excellent strength, avoiding the risk of heat warping panels. The ability to weld dissimilar metals or thin sheets with fine control opens up new repair techniques (e.g. fixing aluminium components which typically require TIG welding skill).
Similarly, a maintenance department in a factory could use the MetalFab for on-demand fabrication of replacement parts, cutting a needed bracket or enclosure out of metal and welding it as needed. The machine’s 24/7 rated design means it can handle extended use or even lights-out operation for an overnight job – important for businesses that need reliability. And with local support centers being part of xTool’s offering (as hinted in their campaign), customers can expect service and training resources in their region, which is often a deciding factor for professional adoption of new equipment.
Training the Next Generation
The xTool MetalFab’s multi-faceted capabilities and user-friendly design make it particularly attractive for engineering education and technical training programs. In one compact unit, students can be exposed to several advanced manufacturing processes that would normally require a fully outfitted workshop. Technical colleges, trade schools, and university engineering departments are among the early audiences showing interest in MetalFab. For them, the value lies in hands-on experience with cutting-edge fabrication technology – laser welding and CNC laser cutting – which are increasingly prevalent in industry. By learning on the MetalFab, students can understand the principles of CNC machining, laser-material interaction, and automation in a controlled, safe environment.
The machine’s ease of use is a key advantage in educational settings. Instructors can introduce welding to students without dealing with some complexities of traditional methods. There is no flame, no open arc flash (the laser light is invisible and enclosed or in a handheld unit with safety precautions), and the risk of burns or eye injury is greatly mitigated by the integrated safety features.
Students can start by using the software to plan a cut or weld path, use the camera system to align materials, and then execute the job while observing through the safety window. The immediate feedback of seeing a part cut out or a seam welded by a laser is a powerful teaching tool. And because the MetalFab is described as “beginner-friendly” with “intuitive software [that] lets you create effortlessly in minutes,” instructors can get novices up to speed quickly on basic operation. This is crucial in academic programs where class time is limited and a variety of students (with varying skill levels) need to use the machine.
Furthermore, the multi-process nature of MetalFab enables interdisciplinary learning. For example, an engineering student can go through the entire cycle of product development: design a part in CAD, cut the prototype out on the MetalFab, weld components if needed, and finally clean/polish the result. They can also experiment with parameters like laser power, speed, and assist gas settings, seeing firsthand how those affect weld penetration or cut quality – an experience that builds a deeper understanding of manufacturing science. Such experiential learning prepares students for modern manufacturing jobs, where increasingly workers must be adept with digital fabrication tools and automated systems.
A school that invests in a MetalFab could use it in courses ranging from welding technology and metal fabrication to robotics (as the CNC aspect can be treated like a robot) and materials science. Given that the system can weld materials like steel, aluminium, and even titanium or nickel alloys, it provides a platform to discuss metallurgical concepts and the differences between laser welding and conventional welding processes.
Another educational benefit is the ability to train students on safety and best practices with advanced equipment without the full danger of industrial machines. The enclosed laser cutter mode, for instance, means students can learn about laser cutting without being exposed to the beam or fumes (with proper filtration). The dual-controlled laser welding handset requires two buttons to activate the beam, enforcing good practices and preventing accidental firing.
These design elements allow younger or less experienced learners to engage with the technology under supervised yet relatively low-risk conditions. In addition, the novelty of laser-based processes can be inspiring to students who might find older machinery less engaging – a factor noted by educators aiming to attract talent into trades.
Finally, by having an all-in-one MetalFab, educational institutions can be cost-effective in their procurement. Rather than buying separate CNC plasma tables, welding booths, and laser engravers for a workshop (and needing the space for all of them), a single MetalFab can serve multiple classes and purposes. This consolidates budget and maintenance efforts, which is especially beneficial for smaller schools or community maker spaces.
As xTool positions the MetalFab as “geared towards everyone from professionals to advanced hobbyists”, it naturally aligns with bridging education and practical skills – training students who may start as hobbyists and graduate as industry-ready professionals. By nurturing proficiency in such versatile tools, educational programs will help create a workforce comfortable with modern fabrication technology.
An Ambitious High-Tech Solution for Industry and the Maker Movement
With the MetalFab, xTool is delivering an ambitious solution at the intersection of high-tech industry and the maker movement. The machine’s combination of laser welding, precise CNC cutting, and cleaning capabilities in one package is poised to benefit a wide spectrum of users – from independent craftspeople looking to elevate their metalwork, to small manufacturing shops seeking efficiency and new services, and to schools training the engineers and technicians of tomorrow.
The technical innovations in MetalFab, such as its dual-camera AI alignment system and energy-efficient fiber laser, underscore a broader trend of accessible automation: tools that once required specialized operators and significant capital are now becoming easier to use and afford.
While the MetalFab is still in its launch phase (with the Kickstarter campaign running until May 22, 2025), early demonstrations and expert reviews have been positive. Testers praise its speed, versatility, and user-focused design – one calling it “a great addition” for businesses ready to adopt metal fabrication without the usual steep costs. Of course, real-world adoption will ultimately depend on how the machine performs in diverse conditions once delivered, but the robust specs and xTool’s track record in the digital fabrication space inspire confidence.
Importantly, the MetalFab also signals that metals are the next frontier for prosumer fabrication tools. In the past decade, we’ve seen an explosion of desktop 3D printers, laser cutters, and CNC mills for hobbyists and small businesses. xTool’s MetalFab extends that revolution to the realm of metal fabrication – potentially ushering in a new wave of creativity and innovation as more people gain the ability to shape metal to their will, whether in a garage, a small shop, or a classroom.
Overall, the xTool MetalFab launch represents a significant development in the toolkit available to makers and engineers worldwide. By blending industrial capability with approachability, it embodies the kind of technological leap that can transform how metal projects are done at the small scale.
As this all-in-one metal solution rolls out to backers and eventually the broader market, it will be interesting to watch the impact on global craft and manufacturing communities – we may well see an uptick in metal-centric start-ups, inventive art pieces, and skilled graduates, all empowered by having a mini metal fabrication facility at their fingertips.
