1st DIY Fiber Laser Competition

World's First DIY Fiber Laser Cutting Machine Contest

Explore the first SKYFIRE DIY Fiber Laser Cutting Machine Contest: the live judging session, prize structure, judging criteria, builder rankings, and links to continue into the next competition.

Watch Judging Session View 2nd Contest View Current Contest
Stage Completed Archive
Prize Pool $3,200+ in vouchers
Final Result Winners announced July 15, 2025
Live judging archive July 2025
Why We Do This

Our original intention was simple: make fiber laser technology easier to understand, build, and share.

The first contest proved that many builders were already learning by doing. SkyFire turned that energy into a public stage, so finished machines, experiments, and lessons could be seen by the whole DIY laser community.

Real DIY Experience

Build a real fiber laser system

Participants were judged on actual machine design, cutting behavior, safety thinking, and upgrade potential.

Community

Show builds publicly

Video submissions made the learning process visible and gave future builders practical references.

History

The starting point of the series

This first edition opened the series and gave future builders real project examples.

What Builders Got

Rewards, recognition, and a real reason to finish the machine.

1st Place

$1,500 voucher

The top award for the strongest overall DIY build.

2nd Place

$1,000 voucher

Recognition for high-quality execution and machine performance.

3rd Place

$700 voucher

Awarded for a strong build with clear technical value.

Participation

$100 voucher

Non-podium participants still received a participation reward.

How It Worked

From registration to live judging, every step focused on finished machines and visible results.

01

Register

Builders entered the contest and prepared their project information.

02

Build and document

Each builder documented the machine and prepared a demonstration video.

03

Live judging

Judges reviewed projects through a public evaluation session.

04

Announce winners

Final rankings were published and prize vouchers were awarded.

Judging Criteria

Projects were judged on build quality, originality, output, future potential, and safe operation.

Appearance

Craftsmanship, layout, visual quality, and machine completeness.

Innovation

Unique design choices, technical ideas, and useful improvements.

Cutting Performance

Actual cutting result, precision, stability, and output quality.

Safety and Expandability

Operator protection, exhaust thinking, and room for future upgrades.

Winner Archive

Meet the people who made the first contest real.

Rank Participant Country Score Project Link
1st Erik Durcak Slovakia 214 Watch project video
2nd Russ Gjernes Canada 186 Watch project video
3rd Jordan Missiaen USA 173 Watch project video
4th Craig Hollabaugh and Robert Hauck USA 160 Project reviewed during the judging session
5th Bruno Portier Belgium 147 Project reviewed during the judging session
6th Fikret Duru Turkey 140 Project reviewed during the judging session

Continue the competition story.

See how the contest continued after the first edition. Review the second edition hub or visit the current SKYFIRE DIY competition page.

Open 2nd Contest Open Current Contest