Sculpfun A9 Ultra Now Shipping: 20W Fiber + 40W Diode Dual Laser at $1,699

Brief Summary

The Sculpfun A9 Ultra is now available for purchase starting at $1,699 from the official Sculpfun store — down from a $2,299 MSRP. It is a true dual-laser desktop machine combining a 40W diode laser for cutting wood and acrylic with a 20W fiber laser for deep metal engraving and thin-sheet metal cutting. With a 400×400 mm work area and speeds up to 36,000 mm/min, it targets small-business owners and serious makers who need both organic-material cutting and permanent metal marking in a single workstation.

Key Upgrades & Highlights

True dual-laser architecture: 40W diode + 20W fiber

The A9 Ultra Dual ships with both laser modules in the box. The 40W diode uses eight independent chips optically combined for genuine 40W output — not a rebadged 20W. The 20W fiber is a proper fiber laser at 1064 nm, not a low-power IR diode, giving it the power density and pulse control that metal processing actually needs. Switching between modules is a physical swap that most users complete in under two minutes.

400×400 mm fiber workspace—16× larger than typical fiber machines

Traditional desktop fiber laser marking machines typically cap out at 100×100 mm. The A9 Ultra Dual’s fiber workspace spans 400×400 mm—sixteen times the area. That means full-size metal sheet engraving, large-format designs on aluminum panels, and multi-item batch marking in a single setup, all from a machine that sits on a standard desk.

30 mm wood and acrylic in a single pass

The 40W diode module inherits the same cutting engine as the SF-A9, which in independent testing outperformed the xTool D1 Pro 40W and xTool S1 on 6 mm plywood cutting speed while producing less smoke staining. The A9 Ultra can cut 30 mm basswood, plywood, and black acrylic in a single pass—thicknesses that require multiple passes on lesser machines.

Thin-metal cutting with the fiber module

The 20W fiber laser adds genuine thin-metal cutting: up to 0.3–0.4 mm stainless steel, 0.4 mm brass, and 0.2 mm aluminum. That covers jewelry blanks, custom tags, metal business cards, and decorative sheet work that would otherwise need a standalone fiber cutter costing several times more.

40W / 20W hardware power switch + Precision Mode

A direct hardware switch lets you toggle between full 40W for deep cutting and 20W for more delicate engraving—no software workaround needed. A dedicated Precision Mode tightens component tolerances for parts, inlays, and assemblies that need clean, matched edges.

Built-in safety and air assist

The A9 Ultra includes a tilt sensor that stops the laser if the machine tilts over 15°, limit switches at the boundaries to prevent collisions, and laser safety glasses. The upgraded air pump with a large inner-diameter hose connects directly to the laser head without adapters and releases a small amount of protective air when idle to prevent lens contamination.

Specifications

Editor’s Take & Industry Impact

The Sculpfun A9 Ultra is the most cost-effective way to get real fiber laser capability on a desktop right now. At $1,699 — roughly $1,300 less than the xTool F1 Ultra and $2,300 less than an OMTech 30W — it delivers a genuine 20W fiber module alongside a class-leading 40W diode. That pricing makes it accessible to hobbyists who have outgrown their 5W or 10W machines and small-business owners who need metal marking without committing to a $3,000+ production unit. The 400×400 mm fiber workspace is the real standout: most desktop fiber machines lock you into a 100×100 mm postage stamp. Here you can mark full aluminum panels or batch-engrave dozens of tags in one job. The trade-off is that this is an open-frame Class 4 machine, so you need a dedicated workspace, proper ventilation, and eye protection—not a kitchen-counter device. And the manual focus means you will be turning knobs, not tapping a touchscreen.

What the A9 Ultra signals is a shift in the dual-laser market from premium exclusivity toward mainstream accessibility. A year ago, combining fiber and diode in one machine meant a $3,000 minimum. Sculpfun has cut that barrier in half while preserving the core functionality. The 40W diode, proven on the SF-A9, already beats xTool’s D1 Pro 40W on thick-wood cutting speed and edge cleanliness. The fiber module, while not a galvo scanner like the F1 Ultra’s, offers a far larger work area and enough power for small-run jewelry, custom knife marking, and metal-tag production. For competitors, the pressure is now on xTool and OMTech to justify their price premiums—the A9 Ultra proves that ‘dual laser’ no longer means ‘luxury purchase. If your work is 50% wood cutting and 50% metal marking, this is the most logical machine on the market today.

FAQ

How much does the Sculpfun A9 Ultra cost?

The A9 Ultra Dual (40W diode + 20W fiber) is priced at $1,699 on the official Sculpfun store, down from a $2,299 MSRP. A fiber-only variant (A9 Ultra Single) is also available, and the IR20 fiber module can be purchased separately for users who already own a compatible Sculpfun frame.

Where can I buy the Sculpfun A9 Ultra? Is it in stock?

The A9 Ultra is in stock and available for purchase directly from sculpfun.com with regional shipping from US, EU, China, AU, and UK warehouses. The EU store lists it at €1,599 (down from €2,299). It is shipping now — not a pre-order.

Is the Sculpfun A9 Ultra compatible with LightBurn and LaserGRBL?

Yes. The A9 Ultra is fully compatible with both LightBurn (paid, recommended for advanced users) and LaserGRBL (free, good for beginners). It also supports Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and USB connectivity and works with Windows, macOS, Android, and iOS.

Sculpfun A9 Ultra vs. xTool F1 Ultra — which is better?

It depends on your priorities. The A9 Ultra ($1,699) offers a much larger work area (400×400 mm vs 220×220 mm) and a more powerful diode (40W vs 20W), making it better for large-format cutting and batch production. The xTool F1 Ultra ($2,999) is enclosed and safer, has a galvo scanner for faster metal marking, and includes a smart camera for positioning. If budget and workspace size matter most, the A9 Ultra wins. If safety, speed, and an enclosed design are priorities, the xTool F1 Ultra is worth the extra cost.

Can the Sculpfun A9 Ultra cut metal?

The 20W fiber laser can cut thin metal sheets: up to 0.3–0.4 mm stainless steel, 0.4 mm brass, and 0.2 mm aluminum. This is suitable for jewelry blanks, tags, and decorative sheet work, but not for structural metal cutting. For thicker metal, you would need an industrial fiber laser or a plasma cutter.

What accessories do I need for the Sculpfun A9 Ultra?

The machine ships with most essentials: both laser modules, an air pump, safety glasses, a lens repair kit, and test materials. You may want to add a rotary roller (RA Pro Max, ~$200–$400) for cylindrical items like tumblers and cups, a honeycomb work panel for cleaner cuts, and a CAM500 camera for precise positioning. A smoke purifier or external exhaust is recommended since this is an open-frame Class 4 laser.