Best for
- Bare-aluminum tags and plates
- Small part identification
- Buyers separating direct marking from coating removal
Watch for
- Alloy and finish change the result
- Reflective-metal controls are model-specific
- Anodized evidence does not prove bare-aluminum performance
Machines in this decision
Merchant links are standard outbound links. No active affiliate relationship is recorded, and relationships never affect rankings or tool results. Affiliate status is not a ranking input.
xTool F1 Ultra
Evidence recordDual diode/fiber · 20 W blue diode + 20 W conventional fiber · 220 × 220 mm standard; 220 × 500 mm with current conveyor configuration
- Fit
- lower-cost dual-source workflow
- Watch
- conventional fiber rather than MOPA
- Price context
- $2,999 — US standalone price observed 10 Sep 2026; conveyor and bundles cost more
xTool F2 Ultra
Evidence recordDual diode/fiber · 40 W blue diode + 60 W 1064 nm MOPA · 220 × 220 mm internal area
- Fit
- integrated dual-process workflow
- Watch
- small internal work area
- Price context
- $5,299 — US dual 60 W MOPA + 40 W diode standalone price observed 10 Sep 2026; MOPA-only and bundle prices differ
ComMarker B6 Fiber
Evidence recordFiber · 20 W, 30 W and higher configurations shown on the current page · Lens/configuration dependent
- Fit
- conventional fiber cost comparison
- Watch
- open base configuration requires a controlled-area assessment
- Price context
- $1,599 — US 20 W Basic promotional price observed 7 Sep 2026; power and bundle changes materially change cost
ComMarker B6 MOPA
Evidence recordMOPA fiber · 20 W, 30 W or 60 W configurations · Lens/configuration dependent
- Fit
- dedicated MOPA station
- Watch
- open workflow needs controlled-area assessment
- Price context
- From $2,599 — US 20 W Basic price observed 7 Sep 2026; 30 W and 60 W Basic configurations were $3,099 and $3,999, and control bundles cost more
Monport GM 60W Pro MOPA
Evidence recordMOPA fiber · 60 W · 175 × 175 mm
- Fit
- small-format metal marking
- Watch
- open workflow needs a controlled-area assessment
- Price context
- $4,006.37 — US autofocus Pro price observed 3 Sep 2026; the lower $3,900 option is manual-focus, not the same configuration
Evidence desk
Side-by-side documented facts
Each record shows its evidence date. Prices, bundles, availability and regional terms can change; recheck the exact configuration before purchase.
| Criterion | xTool F1 Ultra | xTool F2 Ultra | ComMarker B6 Fiber | ComMarker B6 MOPA | Monport GM 60W Pro MOPA |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Laser process | Dual diode/fiber · 20 W blue diode + 20 W conventional fiber | Dual diode/fiber · 40 W blue diode + 60 W 1064 nm MOPA | Fiber · 20 W, 30 W and higher configurations shown on the current page | MOPA fiber · 20 W, 30 W or 60 W configurations | MOPA fiber · 60 W |
| Published work area | 220 × 220 mm standard; 220 × 500 mm with current conveyor configuration | 220 × 220 mm internal area | Lens/configuration dependent | Lens/configuration dependent | 175 × 175 mm |
| Enclosure / class context | Integrated enclosed workflow in current official comparison data | Integrated enclosed workflow per current product documentation | Open marking format in the base configuration; enclosure appears only in selected bundles | Open marking format in reviewed product evidence | Open marking format; official manual warns there is no protective housing |
| Ventilation context | Use exact model extraction and material controls | Use model-specific extraction and material controls | Extractor appears only in selected bundles; exact material contaminants control the final design | No universal extraction configuration established | Material-dependent dedicated extraction may be required; no extractor is assumed included |
| Machine dimensions | 273 × 373 × 492 mm in current official comparison data | Not established in the reviewed evidence | Not established in the reviewed evidence | Not established in the reviewed evidence | 400 × 330 × 620 mm |
| Published weight | 14.7 kg (32.4 lb) | Not established in the reviewed evidence | Not established in the reviewed evidence | Not established in the reviewed evidence | 16.6 kg net |
| Rotary compatibility | Not established in the reviewed evidence | RA3 rotary supported; exact object capacity was not established in the reviewed evidence | R5 rotary appears in current Rotary and Ultimate bundles | Not established in the reviewed evidence | Rotary supported; an optional rotary-axis variant was listed at $4,176.37 on 3 Sep 2026 |
| Electrical / cooling | Not established in the reviewed evidence | Not established in the reviewed evidence | Not established in the reviewed evidence | Not established in the reviewed evidence | 110–120 V, 60 Hz US configuration · Air cooled |
| Software | xTool Studio/XCS via USB or Wi-Fi in current official comparison data | xTool Studio/XCS; current official FAQ says F2 Ultra is no longer LightBurn-compatible | Verify the exact current software and license for the selected system | Not established in the reviewed evidence | BslAppSimple and LightBurn on Windows/macOS; USB connection |
| Availability | US standalone and conveyor configurations listed available on 10 Sep 2026 | Official US page stated shipment in 7–9 business days when checked 3 Sep 2026 | 20 W and 30 W configurations listed on the official US page on 8 Sep 2026 | 20 W, 30 W and 60 W configurations listed for sale on the official US page on 7 Sep 2026 | Autofocus Pro configuration listed with an early-October ship estimate on 3 Sep 2026 |
| Published price | $2,999. US standalone price observed 10 Sep 2026; conveyor and bundles cost more | $5,299. US dual 60 W MOPA + 40 W diode standalone price observed 10 Sep 2026; MOPA-only and bundle prices differ | $1,599. US 20 W Basic promotional price observed 7 Sep 2026; power and bundle changes materially change cost | From $2,599. US 20 W Basic price observed 7 Sep 2026; 30 W and 60 W Basic configurations were $3,099 and $3,999, and control bundles cost more | $4,006.37. US autofocus Pro price observed 3 Sep 2026; the lower $3,900 option is manual-focus, not the same configuration |
| Warranty context | Verify current regional policy and exact configuration | Verify current regional policy | Verify current regional warranty and selected configuration before purchase | Verify current regional warranty before purchase | Product page lists two years for the machine and one year for the laser source |
| Evidence verified | Sep 10, 2026 | Sep 10, 2026 | Sep 8, 2026 | Sep 7, 2026 | Sep 3, 2026 |
Prove that the surface is bare aluminum
Record the alloy or supplier SKU, temper where relevant, surface preparation and every conversion coating, plating, paint, powder coat, film or adhesive. A silver appearance is not proof of bare aluminum.
If any layer is unknown, stop. Obtain supplier documentation rather than using a flame, burn or ad-hoc chemistry test.
Choose direct mark, contrast or depth
A visible surface mark, dark contrast, shallow engraving and material removal are different acceptance targets. Specify readability, depth allowance, cosmetic limit, edge distance and durability before requesting samples.
Current xTool F2 Ultra documentation explicitly routes aluminum to its MOPA infrared source. That exact-model record supports continued qualification, not a universal aluminum recipe.
Conventional fiber versus MOPA
Conventional fiber is the lower-complexity starting point when it produces the required accepted mark. MOPA enters when pulse-width control solves a measured result or cycle problem on the exact alloy.
Compare the same blank, artwork, lens, field, fixture, extraction and inspection method. A promotional color image or maximum-speed claim is not a matched test.
Qualify fixture, inspection and controls
Thin cards and tags need flat support, repeatable orientation and burr-safe handling. Critical codes need a defined verifier and rejection rule; visual sharpness alone is not traceability validation.
Preserve the complete manufacturer protection system and use material-appropriate fume and particulate controls. Do not defeat a cover, interlock or access control for reflected-beam work.
When to stop
Do not process when the alloy, surface layer or intended result is unresolved; when the part cannot be fixtured inside the documented field; or when the required protective and contaminant controls are absent.
No universal settings are published here. Keep a qualified parameter record tied to the exact machine, source, lens, blank and inspection result.
Bare-aluminum sources were rechecked 10 Sep 2026. This page intentionally does not compete with the anodized-aluminum guide.
Decision criteria
Primary and authoritative sources
A source link supports the stated fact; it is not an endorsement.
- xTool F2 Ultra: xTool F2 Ultra material routing
- ComMarker B6 Fiber: Official ComMarker B6 conventional-fiber product page
- KEYENCE: fiber, CO2 and UV material comparison
- OSHA: laser hazards and controls
- xTool F1 Ultra: xTool current machine comparison
- xTool F1 Ultra: xTool F1 Ultra official product page
- xTool F2 Ultra: xTool F2 Ultra official product page
- xTool F2 Ultra: xTool F2 Ultra official manual
- ComMarker B6 MOPA: Official ComMarker B6 JPT MOPA page
- Monport GM 60W Pro MOPA: Official GM60 Pro MOPA product page
- Monport GM 60W Pro MOPA: Official GM Pro quick-start manual