Only Boards scales up with major CMYUK kit investment
Woking-based print start-up, Only Boards, has invested in a fleet of Mimaki, Neolt, and JWEI solutions from equipment supplier CMYUK, as part of plans to scale up production and launch new brands
Digital fabrication specialist, xTool, has launched the X1, a modular multi-laser platform which combines a high-speed galvo setup with a large gantry workspace to automate batch engraving and precision cutting
XTool, a global manufacturer of digital fabrication solutions, has announced the launch of the xTool X1, which it describes as “the industry’s first sustainable, continuously upgradable smart flagship laser engraver and cutter.”
Built to bridge the gap between industrial-grade capabilities and desktop accessibility, the X1 aims to solves a range of common and complex engineering variables to deliver an all-in-one productivity engine for small businesses, 3D printing enthusiasts, and woodworking makers alike.
The X1 integrates its high-speed ‘Flying-Galvo’ system with its wide-format ‘Dragon-Gantry’ workspace, with the goal of eliminating the compromise between engraving speed and working area.
Driving two distinct motion systems through a synchronised four-axis linkage, the X1 can achieve high-speed galvo processing without sacrificing the broad spatial range required for large-scale production.
To increase its precision at high speeds, xTool engineered the X1 using a 4,000-ton industrial UniCast high-pressure die-cast aluminum frame. Combined with advanced software feathering algorithms, it can remove micro-vibrations and visual seam boundaries, allowing for fewer flaws in optical alignment across both flat and 3D surfaces.
Jessie Liu, president of xTool, says: "Users see a seamless 'Place & Go' experience on the surface, but under the hood the X1 solves hundreds of optical, algorithmic, and mechanical variables.
“The future of desktop fabrication is not about replacing machines every time your business expands; it’s about system-level upgrades. X1’ s true strength isn't just a single laser beam, it's the ability to make multiple laser sources work together in perfect harmony."
The X1 platform features a modular ecosystem and automated workflow designed to expand laser processing capabilities. Through its quick-connect system, users can swap between CO2, Diode, Fibre, MOPA, and UV laser modules on a single machine to handle diverse materials.
Operation is automated by an integrated triple-camera system and an adjustable base, which together handle material positioning and focusing to reduce manual setup.
The platform also supports mixed-material crafting, allowing users to combine natural materials with metal accents.
The xTool X1 is available for purchase starting today on the official xTool online store, reportedly featuring limited-time launch pricing across multiple configurations.
Earlier this month, xTool also announced its expansion into the craft cutter market with the launch of the xTool C1 Color Cutter.
The C1 has been developed to solve long-standing industry challenges by integrating high-precision CIS scanning, CMYK full-colour inkjet printing, and dynamic blade cutting into a single automated desktop workstation.
By combining full-colour printing and precision cutting in one compact machine, the C1 aims to eliminate the need for separate printers, manual material transfers, and error-prone registration marks, thereby simplifying workflows for paper crafts, vinyl graphics, HTV, apparel, and stickers.
