OMTech's updated K40 takes the classic desktop CO2 layout and fixes the shortcuts owners used to fix themselves: air assist is built in, LightBurn runs it out of the box, and the tube is rated at 45W.
The headline change is the tube. OMTech rates the K40+ at 45W and says it cuts 10mm acrylic and 8mm wood, with cutting 1.5 to 2 times faster and 15 to 20% deeper than before. Those are maker's maximums, and you should read them the way an old hand reads any tube rating.
CO2 tube wattage is a label, not a measurement you can check at home. Real output depends on the tube current you run, the coolant temperature, alignment, lens condition and the tube's age.
| Material | OMTech's stated maximum | What to expect day to day |
|---|---|---|
| Cast acrylic | 10mm | Thinner sheets cut in one pass; the maximum takes slow speed and good focus |
| Plywood and hardwood | 8mm | 3–6mm cuts are routine; glue layers in plywood vary a lot |
| Engraving | Up to 300 mm/s | Photo work often runs slower for better detail |
For a sober second opinion, look at the same class of machine from VEVOR. Its 45W, 12 × 8 in model recommends 5mm acrylic and 3mm wood. Somewhere between that conservative advice and OMTech's maximums is where most owners land, depending on material and patience.
The materials guide covers what CO2 lasers can and cannot cut safely, and the tube and power supply guide explains safe current.
| Spec | Value |
|---|---|
| Model | OMTech K40+ 45W |
| Laser source | 45W CO2 glass tube |
| Work area | 12 × 8 in (300 × 200mm) |
| Max engraving speed | 300 mm/s |
| Rated cutting depth, acrylic | 0.4 in (10mm) |
| Rated cutting depth, wood | 0.31 in (8mm) |
| Air assist | Built-in 45° nozzle, flow adjusts with laser power |
| Work bed | Honeycomb, with detachable base |
| Rotary | Optional rotary axis compatible |
| Software | LightBurn supported; LaserGRBL included |
| Cooling | Water cooled; bundles add coolant or a CW-3000 chiller |
| Safety | Door and water protection, emergency stop |
| Viewing window | Flame-retardant |
| Machine dimensions | 31.9 × 19.7 × 9.8 in |
| Weight | 81.8 lb |
| Support | 2 years of service, 24/7 support |
| Chiller bundles | Chiller ships in a separate package |
The work area is 12 × 8 in, 300 × 200mm, the classic K40 footprint. That suits coasters, tags, earrings, small signs, phone stands and box joints for small boxes. Plan bigger projects as tiled parts or look at a larger machine.
OMTech builds some flexibility into that small bed. A honeycomb table handles flat work and lets smoke and the beam pass through underneath. The base detaches, so taller objects can sit lower in the cabinet, and OMTech's K40+ descriptions mention a laser head that extends about 1.2 in for the same reason.
OMTech's own rotary for 40–45W machines handles objects from 0.8 to 1.6 in across and connects through a four-wire cable to a dedicated port. That is a narrow range, good for pens, small bottles and slim tumblers, not wide mugs.
Then there is the machine itself: 31.9 × 19.7 × 9.8 in and 81.8 lb. You need a sturdy bench, two people to lift it, and space around it. Allow room at the back or side for the exhaust duct, water lines and the chiller or bucket, plus access to the lid and the emergency stop.
The K40 dimensions guide has full clearances and weights for planning the space.
For years, the K40 recipe was the same: buy the cheap machine, then fix it. Owners added an air-assist head, swapped the stock controller so LightBurn would run it, and bolted on safety switches. The K40+ ships with those three fixed, which changes what you spend in the first month.
| Area | Classic K40 | OMTech K40+ 45W |
|---|---|---|
| Software | Proprietary plug-ins or K40 Whisperer | LightBurn supported, LaserGRBL included |
| Air assist | Usually none; owners fit a head | Built-in 45° nozzle, flow follows power |
| Safety | Often no interlocks | Door and water protection, emergency stop |
| Viewing window | Basic plastic | Flame-retardant |
LaserGRBL is free, Windows-only software for GRBL controllers, so its support tells you the K40+ board speaks GRBL. LightBurn is paid software that runs on Windows, macOS and Linux and is the tool most laser owners settle on. The LightBurn bundles include it; the machine-only versions leave you to buy a licence or start with LaserGRBL.
The air assist deserves a word. OMTech says its 45° nozzle adjusts airflow with laser power, clearing smoke, protecting the lens and cutting charring and fire risk. On a classic K40, lack of air assist was the root of dirty lenses, flaming cuts and brown edges, so this matters more than the extra 5W.
The K40 software guide compares LightBurn, K40 Whisperer and the older options in detail.
The K40+ 45W comes in six configurations: machine only, or with a rotary axis, laser coolant, LightBurn, a CW-3000 chiller, or LightBurn plus a chiller. Choose by what you would otherwise buy within a month. In chiller bundles the chiller ships in its own package.
One LightBurn-and-chiller version carries older text that mentions a 40W tube. Confirm the tube rating on the box and the tube label when it arrives.
OMTech's K40+ descriptions say the machine incorporates air assist, an exhaust fan and a water pump. Check the box contents against that on delivery: hoses, exhaust duct, pump and any keys or cables.
With air assist and LightBurn solved, the first upgrades shift:
A warning on air-assist upgrades: OMTech's Smart Air Assist Module lists the K40 series as not compatible. The built-in nozzle is the system to use.
Against the VEVOR 45W, which includes a rotary and gives more cautious cutting advice, the K40+ answers with LightBurn bundles and OMTech's two years of service. The OMTech K40 guide covers the 40W vs 45W question, and K40 upgrades the path onward.
12 × 8 in, or 300 × 200mm, on a honeycomb bed. The base detaches for taller objects, and an optional rotary handles cylinders.
Yes. OMTech says it fully supports LightBurn and includes LaserGRBL. The LightBurn bundles include the software; machine-only versions need a separate licence.
OMTech states 10mm acrylic and 8mm wood as maximums. Day-to-day single-pass cuts are usually thinner, depending on material, focus, cooling and tube current.
The machine is water cooled, and cool water protects tube life and power. A CW-3000 bundle is the tidy option; at minimum, watch coolant temperature.
Yes, a built-in 45° air assist that OMTech says adjusts airflow with laser power. OMTech's separate Smart Air Assist Module is not compatible with the K40 series.
Not bare metal directly. With a laser marking spray, a CO2 laser of 25W or more can leave a permanent black mark on stainless steel, brass and aluminium.
