The 90W 20" × 28" Production CO2 Laser — With Autofocus That Cuts Setup Time on Every Job.
The OMTech Maker AF2028-80 is a 90W Yongli H2 CO2 laser engraving and cutting machine with a 20" × 28" working area, autofocus, 4-way pass-through, and a 12,000-hour estimated tube life — delivering the production-level capacity of the manual-focus MF2028 with the one workflow upgrade that matters most to operators cycling through different materials and thicknesses throughout the day.
For makers, customization studios, sign shops, and small production businesses that need serious capacity and repeatable precision without manual focus calibration slowing them down, the AF2028 is the configuration to choose.
Compatible Materials:
Wood
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MDF / Plywood
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Leather
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Plastics
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Fabric
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Stone
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Coated Metals
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Glass
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AF2028 vs MF2028 — The One Difference That Matters in Daily Production
The OMTech Maker lineup offers the 90W 20" × 28" machine in two configurations: the MF2028-80 (manual focus) and the AF2028-80 (autofocus). Every other specification is identical — same Yongli H2 90W tube, same 20" × 28" bed, same Ruida controller, same 4-way pass-through, same dual workbeds, same software.
The difference is entirely in how the focal distance is set before each job.
Manual focus (MF2028): The operator uses the included focusing rulers to manually measure and set the correct distance from the laser head to the workpiece surface. For shops that work with the same material thickness repeatedly throughout the day, this is a fast, reliable one-time setup per material type.
Autofocus (AF2028): The machine automatically measures the workpiece surface and sets the focal height. Place the material, trigger autofocus, and the machine is ready to engrave — no ruler, no measurement, no test burn. For production shops cycling through wood, acrylic, leather, and other materials of different thicknesses throughout a shift, autofocus eliminates a repetitive calibration step that occurs dozens of times per day.
The autofocus upgrade is the right choice when your production involves frequent material changes. If you work primarily with one consistent material thickness all day, manual focus is straightforward and fully capable.
90W + 20" × 28" — What This Power-and-Bed Combination Unlocks
The step from 60W/16" × 24" to 90W/20" × 28" is a production-level upgrade across both power and capacity:
90W for thicker material and faster throughput. At 90W, single-pass cutting penetrates thicker stock more consistently than 60W configurations. Dense MDF, thick acrylic, heavy leather, and layered materials that require multiple passes at 60W clear faster — which directly affects how many orders the machine can fulfill in a shift.
20" × 28" (500 × 700mm) for bigger projects and bigger batches. A 16" × 24" machine can't process a 19" × 25" sign blank in one pass — the AF2028 can. More bed area means more pieces per batch layout, larger individual pieces per setup, and less time spent on repositioning and realignment.
0.4" (10mm) maximum cutting depth on compatible materials — the full depth range of the Yongli H2 at 90W, appropriate for structural wood projects, thick decorative panels, and layered fabrication where depth is part of the design.
Yongli H2 90W Tube — 12,000-Hour Rated Life
The Yongli H2 CO2 laser tube is an industry-recognized name in production laser environments — a higher-quality glass tube formulation used across commercial and industrial CO2 laser systems globally.
At 12,000 hours estimated service life (particularly when operated consistently at lower power settings), the H2 tube rated for this machine is rated at approximately 6× longer than many entry-level CO2 tubes. For a production shop where tube replacement is a planned maintenance cost, this directly affects how frequently that cost occurs and the associated downtime.
At 90W output, the tube supports:
- Clean, fast cutting on wood, acrylic, MDF, leather, and other materials at production speeds
- Detailed engraving with controlled power for fine-line artwork, photographic reproduction, and text
- Sustained performance across multi-hour production runs when paired with appropriate water cooling.
4-Way Pass-Through — Length and Width Both Handled
The AF2028-80 provides 4-way pass-through — both front/back and side-to-side — which is relatively rare at this machine class:
Front and back pass-through (32.8" × 3.7"): For flat material longer than 28" — full-length sign boards, extended leather strips, continuous banner material. Feed through the front, process a section, advance, continue.
Side-to-side pass-through (20.4" × 0.7"): For material wider than 20" that needs lateral extension during processing.
For a sign shop processing full-length boards, a leather goods business running continuous strip production, or any operation regularly dealing with non-standard material dimensions — 4-way pass-through is the practical difference between a machine that fits the workflow and one that constrains it.
Ruida Controller — Run Jobs On-Machine, Offline, and Networked
The Ruida digital control panel is what distinguishes a production laser from a hobby machine in daily operation:
Direct on-machine control — adjust power and speed, pause or halt mid-job, preview project frames, and navigate files from the panel without returning to the design computer.
Offline operation — load job files to USB flash drive, run from the Ruida's file browser without a computer connected. For a production floor where the laser runs continuously while the operator works at a separate design station, offline operation is standard workflow.
Ethernet connectivity — for network-based job transfer from a design computer on the other side of the shop.
RDWorks bundled — included on USB flash drive and ready to use on Windows. LightBurn included — a free LightBurn license is included with this machine, courtesy of The Maker's Chest. LightBurn is the preferred production software for Ruida-based machines with a large community, better material libraries, and native macOS/Linux support.
Dual Workbeds — The Right Surface for Every Job
The AF2028-80 ships with both workbed configurations:
Honeycomb workbed: The standard for engraving and cutting thinner materials. The honeycomb surface supports the workpiece without blocking laser pass-through, preventing reflection back into the cut.
Aluminum blade workbed: For cutting thicker, heavier material where drop-through clearance matters. Raised blade tips minimize contact points, allowing cut pieces to clear cleanly with polished bottom-face edges.
At 20" × 28" production scale, having both workbeds available without additional purchase means you set up for the job, not for the machine.
Water Cooling — What's Included and What's Recommended
A water pump and water tank are included — the basic cooling circuit is operational from day one with distilled water. For shops running light to moderate daily sessions in a climate-controlled environment, the included setup works.
For sustained high-power production, the product page recommends adding a dedicated water chiller. A chiller maintains precise coolant temperature regardless of ambient conditions — protecting the Yongli H2 tube and maintaining consistent output quality across 6–8 hour production days. Compatible options include the CW-5000 and CW-5200 series. Contact our team before ordering if you want guidance on the right chiller to budget alongside the machine.
The Maker's Chest Difference
The OMTech Maker AF2028-80 is available from OMTech directly and from other resellers. Here's what changes when you order through The Maker's Chest:
- 🛡️ 75-day returns — significantly longer than OMTech's direct return window. Enough time to receive the machine, run it through your actual production materials and job types, confirm the autofocus works for your workflow, and make an informed decision before you're committed
- 🇺🇸 Expert USA-based technical support — our team can help with Ruida controller setup, LightBurn configuration, autofocus calibration, water cooling assembly and chiller recommendations, exhaust setup, and any production issues
- 📞 Dual lines of support — phone and email, so when production is running and something needs attention, you have a direct path to a real person
- 🔧 Straight configuration guidance — AF2028 (autofocus) or MF2028 (manual focus)? Not sure which is right for your material variety and daily workflow? Do you need a chiller alongside the machine? Talk to us before ordering and we'll give you honest answers
Frequently Asked Questions About OMTech Maker AF2028-80 90W CO2 Laser Cutter and Engraver
Q: What's the real difference between the AF2028-80 and the MF2028-80?
A: The only hardware difference is autofocus versus manual focus. Every other specification — Yongli H2 90W tube, 20" × 28" bed, 12,000-hour tube life, 4-way pass-through, dual workbeds, Ruida controller, 600mm/s speed, 0.4" max depth — is identical. The AF2028 suits shops that cycle through different material thicknesses throughout the day and want autofocus to handle the focal calibration step automatically. The MF2028 suits shops working primarily at consistent material heights where manual focus setup is fast and repeatable.
Q: How does autofocus work on this machine?
A: The autofocus probe on the laser head measures the distance to the workpiece surface and adjusts the head height to the correct focal distance automatically. Place the material on the workbed, trigger autofocus from the control panel or LightBurn/RDWorks, and the machine is ready to engrave — no measuring ruler, no test burn, no manual adjustment. For every material thickness change during a production day, autofocus replaces a manual calibration step.
Q: What laser tube does it use and how long does it last?
A: The Yongli H2 90W CO2 glass tube is rated at 12,000 hours estimated service life when consistently operated at lower power settings. At 6 hours daily, 250 working days per year, that's approximately 8 years of rated tube life. The machine ships with a 2-year warranty (1 year on parts).
Q: Does it need a water chiller?
A: A water pump and tank are included — basic cooling is operational from day one. For sustained production operation (6+ hours daily) or warm ambient conditions, a dedicated water chiller is strongly recommended. CW-5000 or CW-5200 series chillers are compatible. Contact our team for guidance on compatible options to budget alongside the machine.
Q: Is LightBurn compatible?
A: Yes — the Ruida controller is one of LightBurn's best-supported hardware platforms. A LightBurn license is included free with this machine, courtesy of The Maker's Chest. It runs on Windows, macOS, and Linux. RDWorks is bundled and included on USB drive.
Q: How does 4-way pass-through work in practice?
A: The front/back pass-through (32.8" × 3.7") allows flat material longer than 28" to extend through both sides of the machine — you process sections sequentially without removing the material. The side-to-side pass-through (20.4" × 0.7") allows material wider than 20" to extend laterally. For shops processing non-standard material sizes in either dimension, both pass-throughs together significantly expand effective material capacity.
Q: Can it engrave cylindrical objects?
A: Yes, with a compatible rotary axis attachment (optional add-on). The Ruida controller supports rotary axis configuration for 360° cylindrical engraving on tumblers, mugs, and similar round objects. Contact our team for guidance on compatible rotary attachments.
Q: Why buy from The Maker's Chest instead of directly from OMTech?
A: Our 75-day return window gives you real production evaluation time — significantly more than OMTech's direct return policy — enough to run the machine through your actual job types, verify autofocus performance for your materials, and confirm the AF2028 delivers what your production requires before you're locked in. Our USA-based expert support team is reachable by phone and email for LightBurn and Ruida setup, autofocus calibration, water chiller guidance, and ongoing production support throughout your ownership.
