The market for laser cutting and processing of non-metals is rapidly developing. If two or three years ago it was believed that souvenirs were the only area of laser cutting application, then with modern laser machines the spectrum is much wider: these are interior items, processing of leather, stone, plastic, plexiglass and much more.
The relatively low capital that is necessary to open a laser cutting business looks attractive against this background.
There are a large number of ads for the sale of laser machines operating on CO gas2. The price tag varies from 60 000 r. up to 1,000,000 p. How to make the right choice of equipment? It is obvious that machines with the lowest cost are difficult to attribute to professional ones: the simplest components are used, the resource of the machine most often does not exceed 1 year. For testing, understanding the principle of operation, you can start with such equipment. But if the need of the machine and its loading are obvious, immediately focus on models more expensive - from 250 tons. So you minimize the risk of staying with faulty equipment during the season of orders.
5 main criteria
So, what parameters should you pay attention to when choosing equipment, in addition to the existing budget?
- Working field size
The size of the working field usually ranges from 20 × 30 cm to 200 × 300 cm or more. Rate what you plan to produce. Print? Obviously, a small machine is enough for you. Souvenir products (hangers, photo frames, magnets, models for assembly)? It will take an average size of 90 × 60 or 120 × 90 cm. Screens, signs, cutting sheet materials on order? Based on the common size of the sheet material, a machine with a working field of 160 × 160 or 200 × 300 cm is suitable.
- Laser tube
It is important to pay attention to the laser tube. In the future, this is the most expensive consumable for which the supplier of the machine does not give a guarantee, so do not save. The laser tube is selected according to two parameters: manufacturer and power.
The most common tubes are made in China. We recommend not to purchase noname tubes, but rather to use well-known brands such as Reci. The tube has an important indicator - the service life. Reci have a lifespan of 10,000 hours, while low-cost counterparts have 1,500-3,000 hours. Laser tube power starts at 40 watts. For cutting cardboard, fabric, leather, thin plywood, such power is enough. If you plan to cut plywood 8-10 mm, then you need a laser tube with a power of 100 watts or more.
- Controller / Motherboard
The controllers are divided into two classes: a board of type M2 and stand-alone DSP controllers. What is their difference?
DSP controllers are, for example, Trocen's AWC708 or its equivalent, Ruida. There are many advantages to such controllers: the ability to work autonomously through a flash drive (no computer is required at the factory), sending by one task for cutting and engraving, flexible parameter settings, stable operation. Most machines are equipped with such a controller.
Type M2 controllers are installed on the most budget options, because are not able to provide the functionality of DSP controllers and are more suitable for hobby cutting, as well as unstable in operation.
- Guides
There are roller and rail guides. Hi-class machines use Hiwin rail guides or their equivalent on both axes - X and Y. The use of rail guides allows you to work at high speeds (cutting, engraving, moving the head) and carry high operating loads. They have a long service life without loss of accuracy. The use of roller guides reduces the quality of processing of the material, and also reduces the duration of operation, compared with the previous type: they “fail” rather quickly.
- Selection of equipment supplier
Do not save on equipment suppliers. Be sure to check customer reviews, chat with the real owners of these machines in social networks. Find out about the opportunity to personally come to the warehouse / production, see the machines at work, or at least talk in person. Conclude a supply contract before making payment and exchange the originals. Check in what condition you will receive the equipment. Many companies carry a "designer", and the assembly and commissioning services are provided for an immodest reward. It will not be easy for a newcomer to encounter equipment for the first time to start the machine.
Find out if company representatives help to deal with emerging issues, is there a guarantee for components, instructions for software, the controller and the machine itself.
Now, Chinese firms are “dominating” the laser machine market. An obvious drawback is that the suppliers of these machines either do not provide technical support and do not provide a guarantee, or such services are expensive.
A Worthy Alternative - Talos Technology Laser Machines (St. Petersburg, own production).
The machines are made only of high-quality components (they correspond to all the above parameters), they are ready to work without additional commissioning. As the owners of the equipment of this company note, when technical issues arise, managers quickly get in touch, help to figure out the settings.
We hope that this information will help you make the right choice!