Conflicting requirements really. A 3D printer is preferably fairly quick which is possible because it needs little force to move the head whereas routing, even wood, needs force and rigidity. Not sure about lasers but I don't think 1.6W will melt the butter on your toast let alone draw patterns on it.

Now that I've googled the price yeeeek! Get an Ender3 Pro printer like what Neil has and use it to make the bits for one of the CNC router designs available.

Just my opinion:

Some times making a multiple use tool makes sense. Some times they are such a compromise that the don't.

A 3D printer needs little rigidity as the moving parts are light and the forces on them are minimal. Same goes for a laser engraver/cutter.

A router needs to be much more rigid and it needs to have the head moved at the appropriate speed to be making a cut instead of just rubbing. It would seem that the compromise would be too much.

I had not heard of these, so had dig around – there is a pretty comprehensive review here

Like most multi function machines it appears compromised in all it's functions to some degree but, depending on your requirements, may be "good enough" at all of them.

The €1800 price tag quoted for the largest size machine reviwed would be enough to put me off, though, given it's limited machining capabilities & low powered laser – which really requires another €600 spending to safely enclose it if you value your eyesight . The review concludes that, unless space is an issue, 3 separate machines would offer more capabilty for much the same (or less) outlay.

The modular linear motion units are a neat solution.

Nigel B.

I would also like to have sheilding on a machine when using a 1.6W laser, let alone a 10W one. There could be a momentary reflection of the beam when starting a cut which could be in any direction.