Make a list of the min and max dimensions you will need to accommodate. Are all the items flat or are some curved or even cylindrical? If you are planning to laser cut completely through the material, then how thick is it? This will be key in selecting a table size while making sure your laser engraving machine has enough height clearance for bulkier items.
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It's important to realize that for the most, the material and how well it reacts to the CO2 laser's wavelength, determines the final look and feel of the mark being made. While you can certainly fine tune your settings to reach a desired depth or texture, the rest has already been predetermined. Research to learn if the type of mark you anticipate can be produced by a CO2 laser engraver.
You should also consider just how important visibility is to your final result. Do the results need to be seen from afar or does it just need to be permanent for the sake of identification or trace-ability? Some applications might require paint filling to achieve optimal visibility, while others might call for a completely different approach, like switching to a CO2 friendly product.
The longevity of a mark is directly proportional to the environment it will live in. If the final product will be exposed to the outside elements, chemical wash-downs or extreme temperatures, you will need to consider how this will affect the integrity and visibility of the engraved product. You may even find the need to switch to a more durable material all together.
What's nice about CO2 laser engraving machines is that you don't need to clamp your items into place. Since there is no physical contact being made, loading your material is a quick and easy process. Still, there's a lot to consider. For instance, how easy is it to repeat the process? Would a jig or a custom template make the process more efficient? If your volume is likely to increase, implement a method that is scalable.
For those high throughput applications, even the loading and unloading process needs to be taken into consideration. In high production facilities, it's not uncommon for the items to be fed via an auto loader or a plate feeder. You could even mark on the fly if you implement a conveyor belt with an optical eye to recognize the parts as they approach the laser.
Flying optics (fig 2) is the most common and recognized option for beam delivery. By mounting small mirrors on a movable X and Y axis, a laser beam can be transferred across a very large plane. However, this reduces processing speed significantly as the X and Y movements are no where near the initial speed of light you start out with.
Conversely, two small mirrors can be mounted onto tiny galvanometers (fig 1) that rotate at extraordinary speeds to help steer the beam across the X and Y plane. Aside from being faster, galvos require far less maintenance as there are less moving parts to worry about. However, this comes at the cost of having a much smaller work area to play with.
Think of wattage as the amount of power a CO2 laser engraver can produce. Wattage directly affects how quickly you can engrave certain items and to some extent, how thick of an item you can cut. CO2 lasers are offered in many wattage options ranging from 35W to W. However, bigger isn't always better. Pairing the proper wattage with your desired applications comes first and foremost.
The work area of every CO2 laser engraver is determined by its internal cabinet size. The length and width will determine the 2D size of an item or sheet you can accommodate while the thickness or girth is determined by how far down the work table can be lowered. Height clearance is especially important if you plan to laser engrave cylindrical items that require the use of a rotary chuck or roller rotary attachment.
Plano-convex is the simplest, least expensive lens shape and is typically what comes standard in most CO2 lasers. They are used in applications where achieving the smallest spot size is not critical, or at relatively long focal lengths when more complex shapes would not be beneficial.
Meniscus lenses have a concave curve on one side and a convex curve on the other. At relatively short focal lengths, a meniscus lens will yield a smaller focused spot than a plano-convex lens. However, meniscus lenses are more expensive to manufacture than plano-convex lenses because both sides are curved.
Focal lenses are usually referred to by their focal distances. As the focal distance is increased, so does the distance from the laser head to the work surface and the tolerance in which the the laser beam remains concentrated enough to burn effectively. Focus tolerance is particularly important for cutting applications.
Conversely, as the focal distance is decreased so does the diameter of the spot size. The smaller the spot size, the higher the resolution you can achieve and the greater the intensity of the laser beam becomes. Smaller focal distances are most often used for detailed engraving and fine cutting applications where having a high focus tolerance is not as important.
The standard voltage/frequency in the United States is 110v/60Hz. Most CO2 laser engravers can plug right into a standard outlet. However, some of the higher powered CO2 laser cutters may require a 220v outlet. You should also consider the amount of current required to run all the ancillary equipment. Make sure you discuss and specify all of your power requirements before you place your order.
Once your CO2 laser is delivered, consider how you will get it to its final resting place. Don't assume that because the machine has a small footprint that you can easily lift it, especially if you have intentions of traveling with it. If your CO2 laser has caster wheels and it can be rolled, make certain that you account for all obstacles whether it be a flight of stairs, a narrow hallway or even just a standard doorway.
While CO2 lasers are perfectly safe, there are still precautions that must be attended to. For example, is the laser beam safe for onlookers or are special safety goggles needed? Are there any materials that are toxic and should never be laser engraved? In the event of a fire, do you have a plan in place or is there a specific type of fire extinguisher you should keep on hand? It pays to learn these things in advance rather than from experience.
Venting your CO2 laser outdoors is certainly the least expensive route to take. However, there is a lot more to it than just sticking a hose out the window. You must decide a number a things like where to install the exhaust fan, how to run the ducting, how to replace the air being sucked out of the room, how to maintain the desired temperature in the room and finally where to point the end of the exhaust duct.
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A good laser exhaust system is one that is quiet, removes smoke and odors, helps in reducing sparks and flaming and creates a safe working environment. The result of having such a system will be an improvement in engraving and cutting quality, with both a decrease in smoke residue on your work pieces and the need for cleaning inside the laser system.
The simplest and most responsible way to ventilate a CO2 laser engraving machine is with a fume extractor. Fume extractors are basically tightly sealed cabinets containing an exhaust fan and a series of various filtration media divided into stages. The fumes are sucked out from the laser, pushed through each of the filtration stages and then spit back out into the room where they are once again safe for the environment and for everyone in it. There is no need to worry about ducting, replacement air, temperature control or harming the environment.
However, the cost of replacement filters now becomes a consumable item that will add to your cost of ownership. Therefore, it's important that you choose the proper fume extractor for your CO2 laser. The exhaust fan in the fume extractor will need to remove a certain volume of air (CFM) from the CO2 laser's cabinet. In addition, the combination of filter layers and types of chemicals used, will determine how effective and how efficient your fume extractor will operate. Matching your fume extractor to your laser's cabinet size and to your unique application(s) is fundamental to maximizing the performance of the laser and the life of your filters.
Equipment financing can help alleviate the uncertainty of investing in a CO2 laser engraver until it increases efficiency, saves costs, achieves a desired return or meets any number of objectives. Whether you are a new or existing business, the smart thing to do is hold onto your cash so it can be used as a safety net or working capital for other areas of your business, such as marketing, improvements and inventory.
Perhaps the greatest advantage to financing a CO2 laser is the fact that you can deduct the full amount of the equipment at the end of the year before you've finished paying for it. There is a wonderful provision in pages of tax code (Section 179) that give you a huge incentive to finance equipment. The amount you save in taxes can actually exceed the total payments for the year, making this a very friendly deduction.
PAYING TAXES IS A PART OF LIFE, BUT IF YOU'RE NOT TAKING ADVANTAGE OF EVERY POSSIBLE TAX DEDUCTION, YOU CAN BE MISSING OUT ON GETTING SOME OF YOUR HARD EARNED MONEY BACK.
Many business owners are unaware that Equipment Finance Agreements, $1.00 Buyout Leases and 10% Put Agreements all qualify for the Section 179 tax break. IRS Tax Code Section 179 allows a business to deduct the full purchase price of qualifying financed or leased equipment, including CO2 lasers. The deduction caps at $1,000,000 and the equipment must be placed into service within the same tax year that the deduction is being taken.
Everyone's situation is different, so it's important you contact your tax adviser to confirm how you may benefit from this tax break. The example above shows the best case scenario for someone who gets taxed at a 35% tax brackets. Your situation may differ.
GETTING A GOOD DEAL ON A CO2 LASER HAS LESS TO DO WITH THE PRICE YOU PAY AND MORE TO DO WITH WHAT HAPPENS AFTER THE SALE, ESPECIALLY AS TIME GOES ON. THE QUALITY AND RELIABILITY OF TECH SUPPORT, RESOURCES, AND WARRANTY WILL INFLUENCE YOUR ROI FOR YEARS TO COME.
Even if you've worked with CO2 lasers in the past, it takes many years before you've learned even a fraction of what there is to know. While the internet is a good source for troubleshooting, there are not many places where you can learn all the do's and don'ts or even find basic advice on best practices. Beware of any company that does not offer any sort of training or orientation. In the end, you always get what you pay for.
No matter how much you spend on a CO2 laser engraving machine, don't lose sight of the fact that it's still a machine. Some CO2 lasers are obviously better built than others, but even the top of the line laser is only as good as the technical support it comes with. Not if, but when something malfunctions, you need to make sure you have someone you can easily contact for help and that won't try to take advantage of you in a time of need.
As with any expensive electronic, a warranty is pretty standard. Even the lower end CO2 lasers will come with a 1 year warranty. However, that does not mean that the claim process will be easy. Make absolutely certain that you discuss the complete warranty process with your local dealer. Ensure that they have a plan in place for minimizing downtime, that replacement parts are readily available and that they are stocked nearby.
It's easy to get wrapped up in the initial purchase and not spend much time looking beyond that. Whether you're purchasing a CO2 laser for fun, or planning on using it to generate income, owning a CO2 laser is a long term commitment. Who you purchase your laser from, will determine the terms of that commitment, and how much of your time and money it will take from you over time.
Things like training, technical support, quality control, fast response times, and expedited repairs will all be reflected in that initial price tag. Furthermore, the rate at which you'll be able to produce, is also a big part of that equation. As with most things in life, what you don't pay for upfront with money, you'll end up financing with your precious time. But one thing is certain, the bill will always come. Waster your money, and you're only out of money, but waste you time, and you've lost part of your life.
There are several consumables that come into play that add to the cost of owning a CO2 laser. For the most part, the components that wear out the fastest (belts, bearings, sensors, mirrors and optics) are relatively inexpensive and easy to replace. However, after years of use, your CO2 laser will inevitably run out of gas. At which point, you will need to replace or refurbish the laser source or "tube" as it's commonly referred to.
DC or "glass" laser tubes are the most economical. While they are less efficient and require water as a cooling method, they are superb for cutting applications. Once the gas runs out, the glass tube is simply discarded and replaced with a new one.
RF or "metal" laser tubes are extremely efficient and a lot more stable. They can also be pulsed much faster than DC laser tubes, and are therefore found in the upper most tier of laser brands. However, just like with luxury vehicles, when it comes time to replace it, you'd better be sitting down. An RF tube will typically last 2-3 times longer than a DC tube, but can easily cost 5-10 times as much to replace. Factoring in the replacement cost, is an essential part of making an informed decision.
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