HT-690 100W CO2 Gantry Laser Cutter and Engraver
The big-bed CO2 cutter for sign shops, woodworkers, and acrylic fabricators who need to cut full-size panels in one pass instead of tiling smaller jobs across a desktop machine.
The HT-690 is a 100W CO2 gantry laser cutter built for production work on wood, acrylic, MDF, leather, and paper. It pairs a RECI W2 sealed glass tube with a 600 x 900 mm aluminum-blade and honeycomb worktable, a motorized 230 mm Z-axis, and HIWIN 18 mm linear rails.
You get clean cuts on plywood up to 12 mm, cast acrylic up to 15 mm, and photo-quality raster engraving at full bed speed. The workspace is large enough to handle real architectural and signage work without splitting your file across multiple panels.
Price is $5,400 with free DDP shipping to the US, Canada, and EU. Free CIF shipping worldwide on every other route. Built to order, approximately 30 days door-to-door for DDP regions.
Five Reasons The HT-690 Earns Its Spot In Your Workshop
Every component on this machine was chosen for production reliability, not minimum cost. Here is what that buys you.
The Bed Is Big Enough For Real Sign Work
900 x 600 mm of usable cutting area. That handles a full A1 sheet, a standard yard-sign blank, or a 24 x 36 inch acrylic panel without splitting the file. The honeycomb table lifts off so you can drop in larger stock and cut directly onto the aluminum blade bed underneath.
RECI W2 Tube, Not A Generic Glass Tube
Rated 90W, peak 100W, with an 8,000 to 10,000 hour service life when run within spec. RECI is the reference tube in the CO2 industry. Stable beam mode, predictable power delivery, and replacement intervals you can budget for instead of hoping for the best.
Motorized Z-Table With 230 mm Of Travel
The worktable raises and lowers on a belt-driven Z-axis for full 230 mm of vertical clearance. Cut everything from 1 mm card stock to thicker stage props without unbolting and shimming the bed. Auto-focus is fast and repeatable from job to job.
Ruida RDC6442 Controller, LightBurn Ready
Stand-alone DSP control, 128 MB onboard memory, and full LightBurn compatibility. Run jobs offline from a USB stick, push files over Ethernet, or design in LightBurn. The 6442 is the most widely deployed CO2 controller in the industry, so tutorials and replacement parts are everywhere.
HIWIN Rails And Leadshine Motors
HIWIN 18 mm linear guides on both axes, paired with Leadshine stepper motors and drivers. Same motion components used in industrial CNC equipment. The result is square cuts that stay square after months of daily use, and edge quality that matches your design file.
Full Technical Specifications
Every spec verified against the factory build sheet. No marketing rounding.
| Effective Working Area | 900 x 600 x 230 mm (X x Y x Z) |
|---|---|
| Laser Source | RECI W2 sealed CO2 glass tube |
| Laser Power | 90W rated, up to 100W peak |
| Laser Wavelength | 10,600 nm (10.6 microns) |
| Tube Service Life | 8,000 to 10,000 hours within spec |
| Cooling System | S&A CW5200 industrial water chiller (included) |
| Worktable | Aluminum blade plus removable honeycomb, motorized Z-axis on belt drive |
| Linear Guide | HIWIN 18 mm on X and Y axes |
| Drive System | Leadshine stepper motors and drivers |
| Controller | Ruida RDC6442 DSP with 3.5 inch color screen |
| Software | RDWorks (included), LightBurn compatible |
| Max Engrave Speed | 1000 mm/s |
| Max Cutting Speed | 25 mm/s, depends on material and thickness |
| Min Character Size | Character 2 x 2 mm, letter 1 x 1 mm |
| Optics | II-VI 20 mm lens, 50.8 mm focal length, 25 mm imported mirrors |
| Exhaust Fan | 550W |
| Data Transfer | Ethernet 10/100M, USB 2.0, USB flash disk |
| Graphic Formats | AI, PLT, DXF, BMP, DST, DWG, LAS, DXP |
| Voltage Input | 110V US plug (220V available on request) |
| Max Power Consumption | 1500W |
| Water Protection Sensor | Yes, with audible alarm |
| Machine Dimensions | 1380 x 1030 x 1020 mm |
| Package Dimensions | 1500 x 1150 x 1300 mm |
| Package Weight | 400 kg |
What 100W CO2 Actually Cuts And Engraves
Realistic working ranges for the RECI W2 with proper air assist, clean optics, and aligned mirrors. Test settings on scrap before committing.
| Material | Realistic Capability At 90 to 100W |
|---|---|
| Cast Acrylic | Cuts up to 12 to 15 mm in a single pass with flame-polished edges. Thicker stock possible with multi-pass at reduced quality. |
| Plywood (Baltic Birch) | Cuts up to 10 to 12 mm in single pass. Above 12 mm, edge char becomes a finishing problem. |
| MDF | Cuts up to 8 to 10 mm in single pass. Air assist is essential for clean edges. |
| Solid Hardwood | Cuts up to 8 to 10 mm depending on species and moisture content. Oak and walnut cut slower than basswood. |
| Leather | Cuts up to 8 to 10 mm vegetable-tanned hide at high speed. Synthetic leather cuts cleanly. |
| Paper, Card, Foamcore | Production-speed cuts. Stack cutting thin paper is feasible for batch work. |
| Acrylic Engraving | Frosted-edge engraving at full bed speed. Excellent for backlit signage. |
| Wood Engraving | Photo-quality raster at 500 to 1000 mm/s, depending on resolution. |
| Glass Surface Marking | Frosted marking only. Use a wet paper towel or detergent solution for cleaner results. |
| Fabric, Felt, Rubber | Clean cuts at production speed. Air assist prevents flame-up on synthetic fabrics. |
What Buyers Ask Before They Order
The real questions we get from senior buyers, answered with concrete numbers.
Will it fit through a standard doorway?
Machine dimensions are 1380 x 1030 x 1020 mm. The crated package is 1500 x 1150 x 1300 mm at 400 kg. It clears a standard 36 inch (915 mm) doorway with the casters retracted. A pallet jack handles unloading off a liftgate truck.
Do I need 220V power, or will 110V really run it?
Standard configuration ships with a 110V US plug and pulls 1500W max. The chiller, exhaust, controller, and tube power supply are all spec'd for 110V. We can ship a 220V configuration on request for shops that have 220V available.
How long does the RECI tube actually last?
Manufacturer rated 8,000 to 10,000 hours when current is kept at or below 25 mA. Push above 27 mA and life drops fast. Replacement tubes are widely available worldwide. Plan replacement once every 2 to 4 years for a small business running 4 to 8 hours daily.
How loud is it, and what about smoke?
Chiller and exhaust together run at conversational-room volume during operation. The 550W exhaust fan moves smoke out of the cabinet, but you must duct it to outdoor exhaust or run it through a fume extractor with activated carbon. Indoor venting without filtration is not safe.
What software do I need?
RDWorks ships free with the controller. LightBurn (paid, around $80) is the better tool and fully supported. If you have used Adobe Illustrator, CorelDRAW, or any vector software, LightBurn will feel familiar within a day. Material settings tables are widely shared in the LightBurn community.
Can I set this up myself, or do I need a technician?
Most buyers have the machine cutting test files within 4 to 6 hours of crate arrival. Setup involves uncrating, leveling, filling the chiller with distilled water, basic mirror alignment, and a focus calibration. Complete video walkthroughs and email support are included free.
What This Machine Cannot Do
We tell every buyer what their machine cannot do, before they order. Trust beats returns.
Limitations You Should Know Before Ordering
- Cannot cut or mark bare metals. CO2 wavelength reflects off stainless, aluminum, brass, copper, and titanium. For metal work you need a fiber laser.
- Cannot replace a CNC router for thick wood. Above 12 mm hardwood or 15 mm plywood, edge char becomes a finishing problem and a router is faster and cleaner.
- Cannot cut PVC or vinyl. These materials release chlorine gas, which damages the optics and is a serious health hazard. Do not attempt this on any CO2 laser.
- Cannot drill or engrave deep into glass. CO2 will frost the surface only. For glass drilling or interior engraving, you need a JPT M8 fiber laser or a UV laser depending on the application.
- Cannot run unattended. Wood, paper, acrylic, and fabric are all combustible. Stay with the machine during cuts and keep a fire extinguisher within reach.
- Tube life is finite. Glass CO2 tubes are consumables. Plan on replacement every 8,000 to 10,000 hours of run time. RF metal tubes last longer but cost five to ten times as much upfront.
HT-690 vs HT-460: Which One Do You Need?
Both are 100W RECI-tube CO2 gantry cutters from Haotian. The decision is about bed size, not power.
| Spec | HT-460 (Entry) | HT-690 (Big Bed) |
|---|---|---|
| Working Area | 400 x 600 mm | 600 x 900 mm |
| Laser Power | 100W RECI | 90 to 100W RECI W2 |
| Z Travel | Motorized | 230 mm motorized |
| Best For | Small panels, awards, gift items, prototype runs | Sign work, full-sheet cutting, production wood and acrylic |
| Price | $3,500 | $5,400 |
| Buy When | Your jobs fit in a 16 x 24 inch panel and budget is tight | Your jobs need 24 x 36 inch capacity, or you cut full A1 sheets |
What Ships With Your HT-690
Everything you need to start cutting, all included in the $5,400 price.
Frequently Asked Questions
Everything most buyers ask before placing an order.
Does the HT-690 work with LightBurn out of the box?
Yes. The Ruida RDC6442 controller is one of the most widely supported CO2 controllers in LightBurn, and the machine is shipped pre-configured. You import your LightBurn license, point it at the controller via USB or Ethernet, and you can send jobs immediately. RDWorks is also included free if you prefer to use it.
How long is the typical lead time from order to delivery?
Production runs about 7 to 10 working days from order. Shipping to the US, Canada, or EU under DDP terms takes approximately 30 days door-to-door including customs clearance. Worldwide CIF shipping is approximately 12 to 14 days, but the customer handles their own import duties on that route. Total elapsed time from order to your door is typically 5 to 6 weeks for DDP regions.
What is the air assist setup, and is a compressor included?
The machine includes the air-assist nozzle and tubing built into the laser head, but a shop air compressor is not included. Any standard 1/4 horsepower or larger pancake compressor with a 30 to 60 psi regulator works fine for most cutting work. Compressors are heavy and expensive to ship, and most workshops already own one, so we leave that purchase to you.
Can I run a rotary attachment for cutting tubes or engraving cylinders?
Yes. The machine ships with a rotary attachment included. The Ruida RDC6442 controls a rotary axis natively. Common uses include engraving wood baseball bats, leather knife sheaths, glass bottles, and acrylic tubes. Maximum diameter is determined by your Z-axis clearance (230 mm) and the rotary chuck capacity.
How accurate is it for production cutting?
HIWIN 18 mm linear rails plus Leadshine stepper drivers deliver positioning accuracy in the 0.05 to 0.1 mm range when properly calibrated. Repeat accuracy is even better. Practical kerf width depends on the lens (50.8 mm focal length is the included option), but typically runs 0.1 to 0.3 mm on most materials. For furniture-grade joinery on plywood, this is well within tolerance.
What happens when the tube wears out, and how do I replace it?
RECI W2 tubes are widely available from multiple suppliers worldwide. Replacement is a 30 to 60 minute job for someone comfortable with basic shop work. You drain the chiller, disconnect the high-voltage and ground leads, slide the old tube out of its mounting cradles, swap in the new one, reconnect, refill with distilled water, and re-align the mirrors. We provide email support and video walkthroughs to walk you through the process.
Will it engrave photos with good quality?
Yes, on materials that respond well to laser engraving. Wood (especially basswood, cherry, and maple), painted aluminum (the paint, not the metal), leather, anodized surfaces, and certain plastics produce strong photo-quality raster engravings. Standard practice is to convert the photo to grayscale, apply a dither pattern in LightBurn, and run at 500 to 800 mm/s with appropriate power. The 100W gives you headroom to engrave at lower power for finer detail.
Can the HT-690 cut metal?
No. CO2 wavelength reflects off bare metals like stainless steel, aluminum, brass, and copper. The HT-690 is a non-metal cutter. If you need to cut sheet metal, you need a CNC fiber laser cutter (a different product line). If you need to mark coated or painted metal, the CO2 will mark through the coating, but it cannot engrave the bare metal underneath.
Warranty And Delivery
2-Year Machine Warranty
Two-year warranty on the complete machine covering the RECI tube, power supply, controller, motors, drivers, and chiller. Source defects are covered by RECI's manufacturer warranty (18 months on W2 tubes per RECI specification).
Free replacement parts for non-source components shipped at no cost during the warranty period. The defective part stays with you, you do not pay return shipping.
Source defects: covered under RECI's manufacturer warranty. Haotian Laser handles the return process and pays both legs of shipping.
Lifetime email support at info@haotianlasers.com after warranty expiration. Real human responses, typically within 24 hours on weekdays.
Free DDP Shipping To US, Canada, EU
DDP (Delivered Duty Paid): all import duties, customs fees, and delivery to your door are included in the $5,400 price. Approximately 30 days from order to delivery for US, Canada, and EU destinations.
Worldwide CIF shipping: approximately 12 to 14 days transit time. The customer handles their own import duties on this route. Available to every other country.
Built to order. Production lead time is included in the shipping windows above. The machine is crated in a 1500 x 1150 x 1300 mm wooden box at 400 kg. Standard delivery is to your loading dock or curbside via liftgate truck.
Related Haotian CO2 Machines
Other machines in the lineup, in case the HT-690 is not the right fit for your work.
HT-460 100W CO2 Gantry
The 400 x 600 mm entry CO2 cutter. Same RECI tube class, smaller bed, $3,500.
View HT-46040W CO2 Galvo
For tumbler personalization, leather marking, and gift items at production speed. $4,100.
View 40W Galvo60W CO2 Galvo
Production-speed drinkware and small-format marking work. Water cooled. $7,100.
View 60W GalvoNeed To Cut Metal?
CO2 cannot mark or cut bare metal. See our fiber laser lineup for metal work.
View Fiber LasersReady To Order Your HT-690?
Email us with your country, voltage requirement, and any rotary or accessory questions. We typically respond within 24 hours on weekdays.
Email info@haotianlasers.com




