Comments

Haha, not quite a free extra unit, Rob! 😄

But honestly, at the current Kickstarter pricing, two units can still cost less than the expected future retail price of one unit.

We’ve set the campaign pricing this aggressively because we’d really like more makers to experience galvo laser technology and help us build an active AntBelt community from the beginning.

Thank you again for your support and for keeping the conversation fun! 😊

Great question! At present, AntBelt Studio on desktop connects to the machine mainly through a USB serial connection. We have not yet completed testing for desktop Wi-Fi or Bluetooth connectivity, as this requires additional communication protocols and stability testing.

We are actively evaluating these options and will share an update with the community as soon as we make further progress. Thank you for the helpful suggestion!

Hi Rob, thanks for checking!

The 12W specification refers to optical output power, not electrical input power.

We use the actual laser optical power because it's the most meaningful specification for engraving and cutting performance. The electrical input power is naturally higher due to the efficiency of the laser module and electronics.

We'll also make this clearer on our campaign page to avoid any confusion. Thanks for pointing it out! 😊

— Team AntBelt

Thank you, Rob! We really appreciate that observation. 😊

You're right that the Kickstarter pricing is extremely aggressive. As with many crowdfunding projects, our goal at this stage isn't to maximize profit on each unit.

One of the reasons we can offer this price is that AntBelt is fully self-developed—including the hardware, software, control algorithms, and manufacturing. We also have a mature supply chain, which helps us keep costs much lower than if we relied on third-party solutions.

To be completely transparent, the Super Early Bird pricing leaves us with very little margin, and for some configurations we may even take a small loss. We're comfortable with that because our priority is to get more makers, hobbyists, and small businesses using galvo laser technology, which has traditionally been much more expensive.

We believe that once people experience the speed, precision, and ease of use of a galvo laser, it will help us build a strong community and support future product development.

Thanks again for your thoughtful questions and support—it really means a lot to us! 😊

Good evening, and thank you for your questions! Beginners are absolutely welcome.

We are preparing a materials guide with tested starting parameters, recommended applications, and safety guidance. It will be provided with the user manual and made available online before delivery. We will also continue publishing more real-material test results during development.

If you choose the 12W version, you do not need to purchase the lower-power modules to get started. The laser power and speed can be adjusted in the software, so the 12W module can be dialed down for lighter engraving and more delicate materials. The lower-power modules are mainly optional replacements or alternatives—not required for normal use.

Please feel free to ask us anything. We’re happy to help you learn step by step!

No worries at all—we understood what you meant!

For casual use, the G1 already includes a protective shield with an integrated extraction design. It continuously draws smoke away from the engraving area, helping reduce smoke buildup and surface staining while improving engraving results. Together with properly rated laser safety glasses, a non-flammable work surface, and good room ventilation, this provides a practical setup for everyday use. A fully enclosed, laser-rated enclosure can offer additional protection in a shared workspace, and the machine should never be left unattended while operating.

Because the built-in extraction helps remove smoke directly from the working area, a separate focused air-assist system is generally not necessary for normal engraving. Traditional air assist blows air directly at the cutting point, so it works differently and may still be helpful for certain deeper cutting applications. However, any third-party attachment must not interfere with the protective shield, focus, or normal operation of the machine.

We also offer an optional filtration accessory that connects to the extraction system for improved smoke and particle control. Additional accessories include the Rotary Roller and Rotary Chuck for engraving cylindrical objects, as well as the 80 × 2000 mm Extension Kit for longer projects.

Regarding the module swap shown in the video: it demonstrates that the laser modules are interchangeable—it does not mean you need multiple wattages for different materials. All three modules use 450 nm blue-laser technology. The 12W module can be adjusted to a lower power in the software for lighter engraving and more delicate work, while also providing greater cutting capability when needed. For most users, starting with the 12W module alone is sufficient.

Thank you for sharing your intended applications—they are a very good match for what we designed the AntBelt G1 to do.

Yes, we plan to make a preliminary version of our materials guide available before the campaign ends. It will cover commonly used materials and provide tested starting points for power, speed, and processing passes, along with recommended applications, expected results, and important safety guidance.

In fact, our team is testing different materials almost every day. This is an ongoing process rather than a one-time manual. As we complete more tests, we will continue adding and updating material parameters in AntBelt Studio, while also publishing more test results, examples, and guidance to help users achieve reliable results.

Because material composition, color, coating, and thickness can vary between suppliers, the provided settings should be treated as tested starting points rather than universal presets. We will also explain how to run a small test grid to quickly identify the best settings for a specific material.

For custom gifts, the G1 can be used with materials such as wood, leather, paper products, coated or anodized aluminum, and selected dark or opaque acrylics. For your home-built electronics, it should be especially useful for creating professional-looking control-panel markings, switch labels, serial plates, and equipment tags on anodized aluminum, painted or coated metal, and other compatible panel materials.

Bare metal, clear acrylic, and certain plastics have limitations with a 450 nm blue laser. Materials such as PVC and vinyl must never be processed because they can release hazardous fumes. These differences and safety limitations will be clearly covered in the guide.

You can keep your Early Bird reward and add compatible accessories through the campaign’s Add-ons section. The filtration accessory would be particularly useful for indoor gift-making and panel work. Accessories will also be available separately later if you prefer to add them after becoming familiar with the machine.

Thank you again for supporting us early. We will continue improving the software, expanding the material parameter library, and publishing more information to help both beginners and experienced makers get the most from the G1.

Great question! AntBelt G1 cannot perform true 3D subsurface engraving inside transparent PMMA. That process requires a specialized high‑power pulsed laser that focuses beneath the material’s surface.

G1 can engrave the surface of certain colored or opaque acrylics, but clear PMMA may not absorb the 450 nm blue laser effectively. We recommend testing a small sample first.

Great question!

Yes, many glazed ceramic pottery pieces can be marked or engraved, especially when using black paint or a suitable laser marking coating. The final result will depend on the glaze, color, surface finish, and shape of the pottery.

For round items such as mugs, cups, and cylindrical pottery, we offer a Rotary Roller attachment. We also provide a Rotary Chuck attachment, which can securely hold irregular, tapered, or differently sized items for more stable and precise engraving.

Because ceramic glazes vary widely, we recommend testing a small, less visible area first. We’ll continue sharing more real-world ceramic and pottery engraving tests.

Great question!

It depends on the type and color of the 3D printing material.

Some dark-colored plastics, such as certain PLA or PETG parts, can be engraved with good results. However, light-colored, transparent, or reflective plastics may not engrave well with a 450 nm blue diode laser.

If you can let us know the material (PLA, PETG, ABS, etc.) and its color, we'd be happy to let you know what results you can expect.

Please note that PVC and other chlorine-containing plastics should never be engraved for safety reasons.

Yes, PLA can be engraved with AntBelt G1. Both white and black PLA are suitable for engraving. The engraving result may vary depending on the filament brand and pigments, but in most cases you can achieve good results. We recommend testing on a small area first to find the optimal settings. AntBelt G1 is designed for engraving rather than deep cutting of PLA.