Bambu Lab R1 Released

Bambu Lab announced its entry into the desktop laser cutting market with the official reveal of the R1, a 55W CO2 laser system. The machine marks a broadening of the company's product line beyond 3D printers while adapting its established motion control algorithms.

The hardware features a 600 by 300 mm bed size capable of processing wood, leather, glass, fabric, slate, and anodized aluminum. Utilizing a glass tube CO2 laser with integrated water cooling allows the system to engrave and cut materials like clear acrylic and thick hardwoods that diode lasers cannot process.

Workpiece setup relies on the TriSense positioning system, which combines an overhead camera, a toolhead camera, dual lasers, and spatial encoders. The sensor array tracks curved, uneven, or transparent materials to maintain accurate height measurement across diverse surfaces.

Automated optical calibration utilizes a sensor mounted to the toolhead that measures the beam path and corrects alignment in approximately one minute. An onboard color touchscreen allows users to oversee job progress, view calibration status, and inspect machine diagnostics directly without needing a connected computer.

Motion systems borrowed from Bambu Lab 3D printers include active vibration compensation and dynamic laser power adjustments. The machine delivers accelerations up to 20,000 mm/s², ensuring consistent engraving depth even during high-speed directional changes.

Airflow management uses a corner-to-corner crossflow ventilation design that introduces fresh air from one side of the enclosure while exhausting smoke from the opposite side. Continuous airflow across the workspace helps eliminate dead zones where fumes might otherwise accumulate during long cutting runs.

Operational safeguards include internal flame detection sensors, lid-open safety switches, an emergency stop control, and an integrated automated fire suppression system. The fully enclosed housing contains laser radiation during standard operation.

Software connectivity integrates directly with the proprietary Bambu Suite application for Windows and macOS, alongside seamless links to MakerWorld user accounts. Third-party control software like LightBurn is not supported at launch, maintaining a fully native workflow.

Extended capabilities depend on optional accessories that are sold separately from the main system. An optional auto-feed conveyor enables processing of board stock up to 3 meters long, while an optional Vision Encoder increases absolute positioning accuracy to within 0.1 mm.

Additional add-ons include a rotary attachment for curved items, riser bases for tall stock, alternative focal length lenses, and the E1 Pro multi-stage air purifier. Installing pass-through extensions like the riser base or conveyor converts the enclosure from a Class 1 setup into a Class 4 device, which requires operators to wear laser safety eyewear.

The standard system carries an official price tag of $2,499 USD in North America and €2,499 in European territories. The base package ships with the laser machine and a short-focus lens included.

Following its official announcement on September 22, 2026, pre-orders opened on the manufacturer's direct online store. Order fulfillment and product shipments are scheduled to commence in early November 2026.