Atomstack Glacier 120W - Water-Cooled Diode Laser
Atomstack has unveiled the Glacier 120W water-cooled diode laser on Kickstarter, promising deep one-pass cuts and 24/7 operation. But with the most powerful proven diode so far — the Atomstack A70 at ~70W — many question how realistic 120W claims are.
Atomstack has launched its latest Kickstarter: the Glacier 120W, advertised as the world’s first water-cooled diode laser engraver. The company promises deep cuts, non-stop runtime, and a work area the size of a coffee table – but the laser community isn’t convinced just yet.
What Atomstack Promises
- 120W diode output (as marketed)
- 24/7 continuous operation with water cooling
- Cuts up to 40 mm wood / 30 mm acrylic in one pass
- 800 × 800 mm work area
- A 4W IR module for marking metals
- Built-in monitoring for flow, temperature, and faults
On paper, it sounds like diode laser heaven. In practice? Well, that’s where skepticism kicks in.
Why Experts Are Skeptical
Atomstack’s wattage numbers have always been… creative. Their previous flagship, the A70, managed a real ~70W optical output – already near the edge of what diodes can handle. Jumping to 120W in one step is like promising your bicycle can suddenly win the Tour de France. Physics might want a word.
As for the cutting claims: 40 mm wood in one pass sounds great, but most users would be thrilled with half of that without burn marks. And while water cooling could improve stability, it also adds pumps, seals, and maintenance headaches. “Zero power decay” sounds nice – but so does “bottomless coffee.”
Community Reactions
On Facebook and Instagram, promo clips show Glacier chewing through thick planks. Over on Reddit, though, veterans stay cautious: “Looks cool, but where’s the power meter?” Another user joked: “The A70 was a muscle car, this is a rocket ship – let’s see if it even leaves the garage.”
Outlook
The Glacier is bold, ambitious, and definitely entertaining. If it delivers, it could push diode lasers into a new league. If not, at least we’ll have some great demo videos and lively debates. Until then, best enjoyed with curiosity, caution – and a bucket of popcorn. 🍿