I think all the posts I’ve seen about laser add ons have discussed using diode-based lasers, which seem fine for etching, but not good at actual cutting. I was wondering if anyone has considered using a C02 laser instead, and what the different considerations might be going that route?
A CO2 laser would be much trickier to add. Due to the size of the CO2 tube you have to mount it in a static position and then mount mirrors onto the X, Y, and Z gantries in order to steer the beam from the tube, through the lens, and into the material that you want to cut.
Setting this up would require quite a bit more design and patience than simply mounting a diode. 
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