More Power. More Bed. Four-Way Pass-Through. The 90W Maker Built for Serious Production Volume.
The OMTech Maker MF2028-80 is a 90W Yongli H2 CO2 laser engraving and cutting machine with a 20" × 28" working area, 4-way pass-through (front/back and side-to-side), 12,000-hour estimated tube life, a Ruida digital control panel, and dual honeycomb and aluminum blade workbeds.
Designed for makers, workshops, and small businesses that have outgrown smaller CO2 lasers and need production-level capacity, bed size, and power in a machine that doesn't require an industrial facility to operate.
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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Why 90W + 20" × 28" Is the Production Threshold That Changes the Business
The jump from a 60W/16" × 24" machine to the 90W/20" × 28" Maker is a genuine production-level upgrade across three dimensions simultaneously.
More laser power. 90W versus 60W means faster cutting on thicker materials, cleaner cut edges at equivalent speeds, and more operating headroom during sustained production runs. A 60W machine cutting through 8mm plywood requires slower speeds and multiple passes on thick material. A 90W machine clears the same material faster and more consistently — which directly translates to more output per shift.
More work area. The 20" × 28" (500 × 700mm) bed is meaningfully larger than the 16" × 24" MF1624. A project that fits in the 20" × 28" field in a single pass requires repositioning and re-alignment on the 16" × 24" machine — and every repositioning introduces alignment risk and setup time. For a business producing larger signs, wider leather goods, and full-size display panels, the additional bed area changes what's producible in a single setup.
Better laser tube longevity. The Yongli H2 tube is rated for 12,000 hours — six times longer than many entry-level CO2 tubes, and significantly longer than the 2,000-hour tubes found in smaller desktop machines. For a business where tube replacement is a planned maintenance cost, the longer estimated tube life reduces that frequency and its associated downtime.
4-Way Pass-Through — No Material Length or Width Limit
The Maker MF2028-80 is one of the few CO2 lasers in this class with 4-way pass-through — and the distinction matters for production flexibility:
Front and back pass-through (32.8" × 3.7" / 835 × 95mm): For materials longer than 28" in the feed direction — long boards, extended leather strips, continuous sign panels. Feed the material through the front, engrave or cut a section, advance, and continue without length limit.
Side-to-side pass-through (20.5" × 0.8" / 520 × 20mm): For material that extends beyond the 20" bed width. Allows wider flat stock to feed through laterally — a capability the front/back-only MF1624 doesn't provide.
For a sign shop processing full-length boards, a leather goods business running continuous strip work, or any operation regularly dealing with material that exceeds standard bed dimensions in both directions — 4-way pass-through is the practical difference between a machine that handles your workflow and one that doesn't.
Yongli H2 90W Tube — Industrial-Grade Reliability at Mid-Range Scale
The Maker MF2028-80 uses the Yongli H2 CO2 laser tube — a recognized industrial-grade glass tube brand used across production laser systems globally.
The tube is rated at 12,000 hours estimated service life when consistently used at lower power settings — a significant longevity advantage over the 2,000-hour tubes in entry-level machines. Yongli's H2 designation indicates a higher-quality glass composition and more consistent output characteristics than commodity CO2 tubes.
At 90W output, this tube handles:
- Faster cutting speeds on wood, acrylic, and MDF than 60W machines at equivalent settings
- Thicker single-pass cuts — reducing the number of passes required on production materials
- More consistent engraving output at high speeds on detailed photographic and fine-line work
- Extended production runs with more thermal stability than lower-power glass tubes
Tube length is 49.2" (1250mm) — larger tube diameter (60mm) and length than the MF1624's smaller tube, which contributes to the higher stable output and longer rated life.
Ruida Controller + Manual Focus — Production Control From the Machine
The Ruida digital control panel is one of the reasons the Maker series is trusted in small production environments rather than positioned as hobby equipment.
From the Ruida panel you can:
- Set laser power and speed directly on the machine without a connected computer
- Pause, resume, or halt a job mid-run without returning to software
- Navigate the file browser and run jobs loaded from a USB flash drive — fully offline operation
- Preview project frames before firing to confirm alignment without wasting material
Manual focus gives the operator direct control over the focal distance using the included focusing rulers — setting the correct height for each material type is a fast, reliable process that experienced operators complete in seconds per material change. For shops that cycle through different material thicknesses throughout a production day, manual focus with the Ruida's clear feedback is practical and efficient.
Dual Workbeds — Honeycomb and Aluminum Blade Both Included
The MF2028-80 ships with both workbed types, each appropriate for different job types:
Honeycomb workbed: The default for engraving and cutting lighter material. The honeycomb surface supports the workpiece while allowing laser energy to pass through without solid-surface reflection, which would cause uneven marks and heat buildup on the underside of the material.
Aluminum blade workbed: The right configuration for cutting thick or heavy material. The raised blade tips minimize surface contact, allowing cut pieces to drop cleanly without the honeycomb pattern interfering with cut-through lines. For production cutting of thick acrylic, heavy MDF, and dense wood, blade workbeds produce cleaner bottom-face finish on cut pieces.
At 20" × 28", having both workbed configurations available without additional purchase is particularly meaningful — a machine this size is likely serving a real production business where job variety requires both configurations on different days.
Water Cooling — What's Included and What to Consider
The MF2028-80 ships with a water pump and water tank — the basic cooling circuit is included in the box. Connect the water pump to the laser tube inlet and outlet, fill the water tank with distilled water, and the cooling system is operational.
Important: The product page recommends adding a dedicated water chiller for stable performance and optimal cooling, particularly for sustained high-power production operation. A water chiller maintains precise coolant temperature regardless of ambient conditions — which protects the Yongli H2 tube and maintains consistent output quality across long production runs.
For a shop running the machine 2–4 hours daily in a temperature-controlled environment, the included pump-and-tank setup is workable. For shops running 6+ hour production days in warm environments, investing in a compatible water chiller (such as a CW-5000 or CW-5200) is a production infrastructure decision worth making alongside the machine purchase. Contact our team for guidance on compatible chiller options.
LightBurn + RDWorks + Flexible Connections
Software: RDWorks is bundled on USB flash drive. LightBurn is compatible (separate license from Lightburn required) — and is the preferred production software for the Ruida controller with full feature access, better material libraries, and native macOS/Linux support. CorelDRAW and AutoCAD are also compatible for shops already using those design tools.
Connection methods: USB cable, Ethernet cable, USB flash drive, and offline mode via Ruida file browser. Ethernet enables network-based job submission from a design station across the shop.
Supported file formats: AI, BMP, DXF, GIF, JPG, PDF, PNG, SVG, TIFF, and more.
CE and FDA certified. 2-year machine warranty (1 year on parts).
The Maker's Chest Difference
The OMTech Maker MF2028-80 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, set it up in your production environment, run your actual job types through the full 20" × 28" bed, and confirm it delivers at the scale your business requires before you're committed
- 🇺🇸 Expert USA-based technical support — our team can help with Ruida controller setup, LightBurn configuration, water cooling assembly and chiller recommendations, exhaust setup, workbed selection, and any issues that arise in production
- 📞 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 pre-sale guidance — not sure whether the 60W MF1624 or the 90W MF2028 is the right step for your current volume and material thickness requirements? Or whether you need a water chiller alongside the machine? Talk to us before ordering. We'll give you a direct recommendation
Frequently Asked Questions About OMTech Maker MF2028-80 90W CO2 Laser Cutter and Engraver
Q: What's the practical difference between the 60W MF1624 and the 90W MF2028?
A: Three meaningful differences. First, bed size: 20" × 28" versus 16" × 24" — approximately 40% more working area. Second, laser power: 90W versus 60W — faster cutting on thicker materials, fewer passes on demanding stock, and more operating headroom during sustained production. Third, 4-way pass-through: the MF2028 has both front/back and side-to-side pass-through; the MF1624 has only front/back. For a shop regularly working with material that exceeds standard bed dimensions in both directions, the 4-way pass-through is a meaningful workflow advantage. If your typical work stays within 16" × 24" and 60W handles your materials, the MF1624 is the appropriate choice. Contact our team with your specific project sizes and material types and we'll tell you which is right.
Q: Do I need an external water chiller?
A: The machine ships with a water pump and tank for basic cooling. This works for moderate daily operation in controlled environments. For sustained high-power production runs (6+ hours daily) or warm workshop conditions, a dedicated water chiller (CW-5000 or CW-5200) is strongly recommended to protect the Yongli H2 tube and maintain consistent output. Contact our team before ordering if you want guidance on compatible chiller options to budget alongside the machine.
Q: What materials can it cut and engrave?
A: Engraving: Acrylic, wood, leather, rubber, paper, plastic, fabric, MDF, cardboard, marble, foam, and fiberglass. Cutting: Acrylic, wood, leather, rubber, paper, plastic, fabric, MDF, cardboard, and foam — up to 0.4" (10mm) maximum depth on compatible materials. The CO2 wavelength cannot cut or deeply etch bare metal, glass, ceramic, or stone.
Q: What is the Yongli H2 tube service life?
A: The Yongli H2 90W tube is rated at 12,000 hours estimated service life, particularly 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 — significantly longer than entry-level CO2 tubes. The 2-year machine warranty covers the initial ownership period.
Q: How does 4-way pass-through work?
A: The front/back pass-through (32.8" × 3.7") allows material longer than 28" to feed through the machine lengthwise — advance, engrave/cut, advance. The side-to-side pass-through (20.5" × 0.8") allows material wider than 20" to extend laterally through the machine. Both together mean neither the length nor the width of flat sheet material is an absolute limit for production work on this machine.
Q: Is it compatible with LightBurn?
A: Yes — the Ruida controller is one of LightBurn's best-supported hardware platforms. LightBurn requires a separate license purchase from Lightburn and runs on Windows, macOS, and Linux. RDWorks is bundled and included on USB drive.
Q: Can it engrave tumblers and cylindrical objects?
A: Yes, with a compatible rotary axis attachment (optional add-on). The Ruida controller supports rotary axis configuration for 360° cylindrical engraving. Contact our team for guidance on which rotary attachment fits this machine.
Q: Why buy from The Maker's Chest instead of directly from OMTech?
A: Our 75-day return window gives you significantly more evaluation time than OMTech's direct return policy — enough to set up the machine in your production space, run your actual job types, and confirm the 90W 20" × 28" configuration delivers what your business needs before you're locked in. Our USA-based expert support team is reachable by phone and email for setup, LightBurn and Ruida configuration, water cooling guidance, and production troubleshooting throughout your ownership.
