Bambu Lab has brought its "it just works" approach to laser cutting with the new Bambu Lab R1 — a 55W CO2 laser cutter and engraver built for schools, makerspaces, small businesses, and creators who want real cutting power without the complicated setup CO2 lasers are known for.
Its tagline says it well: Big job. Light work.
R1 at a glance
- Laser: 55W CO2
- Work area: 600 × 300 mm (up to 600 × 3,000 mm with Conveyor)
- Max cutting: up to 18 mm black walnut / 20 mm acrylic
- Speed: up to 1,000 mm/s
- Positioning: dual-camera system, <0.2 mm accuracy
- Safety: enclosed Class 1 laser
- Price: from $2,499*
The R1 starts at $2,499. Two bundles are also available: the R1 Long Material Bundle at $3,289 and the R1 Long Material & Rotary Bundle at $3,499.*
* Prices shown are the prices at InnoAddi when this article was published on October 23, 2026. Prices may change later — please check the Bambu Lab R1 product page for the latest price before ordering.
Why choose the Bambu Lab R1?
- 55W CO2 laser: cuts deeper and handles more materials than a diode laser, including clear acrylic
- Large work area: 600 × 300 mm standalone, expandable to 600 × 3,000 mm with the Conveyor
- Fast, without losing detail: up to 1,000 mm/s speed and 20,000 mm/s² acceleration
- No manual calibration: fully automatic laser alignment, autofocus, and one-tap setup
- What you mark is what you cut: dual-camera + dual-laser + dual-encoder positioning, accurate to <0.2 mm
- Cleaner, safer cutting: fully enclosed Class 1 laser safety, lid-open protection, flame detection, safety key, and emergency stop
55W CO2 power: cuts deeper, cuts more
CO2 is the laser type you want for serious cutting — and for materials diode lasers struggle with.
Cut and engrave: wood, acrylic (including clear acrylic), leather, fabric, paper, EVA foam, and shell.
Engrave only: coated metal, glass, and ceramic. Bare metal cannot be engraved.
 Clear acrylic — cut and engraved, something a diode laser cannot do.
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 Leather, fabric, wood, paper, and EVA foam are all supported.
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Maximum cutting capacity:
- Short-focus lens: up to 15 mm black walnut / 20 mm acrylic
- Medium-focus lens: up to 18 mm black walnut / 20 mm acrylic
- Long-focus lens: up to 18 mm black walnut / 20 mm acrylic, faster at the same thickness
That covers most school, makerspace, and small-business work — signs, nameplates, awards, jigs, enclosures, classroom projects, and personalized products — in a single pass on many common materials.
Big job. Light work.
Standalone, the R1 offers a 600 × 300 mm working area and fits material up to 710 × 380 mm. Add the Conveyor and the working area extends to 600 × 3,000 mm, so longer stock is no longer a hard limit.
It also handles more than flat sheets: curved-surface, cylinder, and revolve-shape processing are supported, so taller, rounder, and longer projects are all in scope.
 PlayDeck — modular play table & stool set, made on the R1. Project by @janberrydesign.
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 Sunflower Painting, made on the R1. Project by @miyabi.
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What you mark is what you cut
Positioning is where many laser jobs go wrong. The R1 uses a dual-camera + dual-laser + dual-encoder system with panoramic and detail capture, so you can place a design on the material you see — even on small, crooked, or curved pieces — and trust it to land where you put it.
- Positioning accuracy: <0.2 mm
- Absolute motion accuracy with Vision Encoder: <0.1 mm across 600 mm
- Focusing: fully automatic laser ranging
No manual calibration
Traditional CO2 lasers ask you to align mirrors by hand. The R1 aligns its own optical path automatically, focuses automatically, and offers one-tap setup, automatic material recognition for official Bambu Lab materials, and built-in system health management. Less setup time, fewer ruined pieces, and a much shorter learning curve for students and staff.
Built for schools, makerspaces, and small businesses
- Schools & makerspaces: enclosed Class 1 safety, automatic setup, and a workflow students can learn quickly
- Small businesses & Etsy sellers: fast 1,000 mm/s engraving for personalized products, signage, and packaging
- Prototyping shops: cut wood and acrylic parts up to 20 mm, then pair them with your 3D printed components
 Fully enclosed, Class 1 laser safety in standard use.
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 Flame detection, lid-open protection, a safety key, and an emergency stop.
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Buying for a school or organization? We can help with a formal quote, tax-exempt orders, and volume questions — request a quote or call us at (508) 966-7045.
Which R1 is right for you?
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R1 — $2,499*
The machine itself, ready for sheet materials up to 600 × 300 mm |
R1 Long Material Bundle — $3,289*
For longer stock and extended projects |
R1 Long Material & Rotary Bundle — $3,499*
Adds rotary capability for cylinders and round objects |
Whichever you choose, you can browse all R1 parts, accessories, and materials, including the Laser Material Starter Pack for R1.
FAQ
Can the R1 cut clear acrylic?
Yes. Unlike a diode laser, its 55W CO2 laser can cut and engrave clear acrylic, up to 20 mm depending on the lens.
Can it engrave metal?
It can engrave coated metal. Bare metal cannot be engraved. Glass and ceramic are engrave-only as well.
How big can my project be?
600 × 300 mm on the standard bed, and up to 600 × 3,000 mm with the Conveyor for long material.
Is it suitable for a classroom?
Yes — it is fully enclosed with Class 1 laser safety in standard use, plus lid-open protection, flame detection, a safety key, and an emergency stop.
Shop the Bambu Lab R1 — from $2,499*
* Prices shown are the prices at InnoAddi when this article was published on October 23, 2026. Prices may change later — please check the Bambu Lab R1 product page for the latest price before ordering.
InnoAddi is an authorized Bambu Lab reseller. Questions about the R1 for your school, makerspace, or shop? Call (508) 966-7045 or request a quote and we will help you choose the right bundle.
