What metals can the MetalFab cut and weld, and how do the 1200W and 800W models differ?
It cuts and welds stainless steel, aluminium, brass, carbon steel, galvanised sheet, titanium, nickel and magnesium alloys. The 1200W welds up to 5 mm stainless/carbon steel where the 800W handles 4 mm; handheld cutting is 5 mm (1200W) versus 3 mm (800W). On the CNC table, burr-free cuts run to 10 mm carbon steel/galvanised, 5 mm stainless, 4 mm aluminium and 3 mm brass (1200W) — the 800W does 8 mm carbon steel, 4 mm stainless and 2 mm brass/aluminium. The 1200W ships with a free wire-feeder machine; the 800W has the wire feeder built in and is lighter.
How do I cut thick carbon steel (2–10 mm) without dross?
Use the double-layer nozzle set — D1.2 for carbon steel ≤8 mm, D1.0 above 8 mm — and 99.99% oxygen at 0.05–0.06 MPa (1200W). Do not use air, nitrogen or argon for thick carbon steel; they produce heavy dross. Keep the pattern simple: the minimum gap should not be smaller than the metal thickness, so circles and rectangles give the best result on 10 mm. Continuous cutting of thick steel heats the material — around 15 minutes on 10 mm, then let it cool.
What gases do I need for welding, cutting and cleaning?
Welding: nitrogen or argon at 99.99%+ purity, 0.1–0.2 MPa, 15–30 L/min (argon for titanium). Cutting: the xTool air compressor and dryer give burr-free cuts at 0.6 MPa on 4 mm stainless, 4 mm aluminium, 3 mm brass and 1 mm carbon/galvanised with the SaveGas™ nozzle (1200W); nitrogen or argon at 1.2 MPa achieve the same; oxygen with the double-layer nozzle cuts carbon and galvanised steel above 1 mm, up to 10 mm. Cleaning: compressed air works, nitrogen or argon gives a brighter, oxidation-free finish.
Can I use the MetalFab for engraving?
Yes — engraving on stainless steel, galvanised steel, titanium and coated metals such as anodised aluminium, with vector engraving, vector filling and bitmap filling. One-click parameters come from XCS. To protect the laser, avoid engraving on highly reflective metals like copper.
Why do I need the camera, and what do I gain?
The camera-driven workflow is what makes the machine efficient and thrifty. The 16MP panoramic camera captures full-bed imaging for precise positioning and enables Smart Nesting with up to 98.7% material use; the close-range camera gives micron-level precision for secondary and fine processing. Machines without cameras cannot match this workflow.
What software does it use? Is it user-friendly?
XCS — designed for intuitive control and streamlined workflows. The Material EasySet Library carries 100+ pre-optimised parameters for 30+ materials: select the material and apply everything with one click. It also supports auto lead-in lines and automatic path optimisation, which is where a lot of the cutting efficiency comes from.
I have no laser welding experience. Is it easy to learn, and is the weld quality there?
You can get started in about five minutes. The 550 g integrated welding gun has a 5-second quick release, and the 8-inch smart touchscreen carries 108+ built-in parameters for one-click use. It welds up to 5 mm stainless or carbon steel and has passed SGS welding quality tests — first-time welders achieve clean, strong welds with minimal practice.
Is localised service available, and what is the after-sales warranty policy?
Yes. xTool maintains a global localised service network with teams in the U.S. and Europe; in Malaysia, Trinventor Solution is your local partner for installation, training, consumables and support. Support includes 24/7 online assistance (email, live chat, phone), 1-on-1 dedicated warranty assistance and demo-room reservations.
What are the power requirements?
The welder runs on 200–240V. The 1200W model needs a circuit of 21A or higher (rated output up to 4200W); the 800W needs 15A or higher (up to 3000W). The CNC cutter accepts 100–240V. In Malaysia both models run on a normal 240V single-phase supply with the correct breaker — we check your workshop supply before installation.
