For most manufacturers, buying an industrial laser cutting machine is a major investment. It&#;s not just the initial price you pay, but the fact that the purchase will have a great impact on the entire manufacturing process. If the wrong equipment is chosen, you have to live with the decision for quite a long time. It is not unusual to see manufacturers keep a laser for seven to 10 years.
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Do you know the best way to go about purchasing a laser cutting machine? Even if you currently own one, how long ago did you buy it, and what has changed since then?
This guide should help you in making a capital purchase decision that will drive your manufacturing operations to new heights.
Perhaps the real question is, &#;Should I even be buying a laser cutting machine?&#; For many reasons, investing in a different cutting system may make more sense for a company&#;s manufacturing activities. Investigating all available options can minimize any possible regrets in the future.
Depending on the part volume, a stamping press may deliver the lowest cost per part. When speaking of metal forming in a press, however, you also are talking about the need to invest in tooling. Stamping also presents the ability to perform multiple tasks, such as forming and tapping, as part of the production process.
A traditional turret punch press can cut out holes and shapes economically, but, again, it involves tooling. A punching machine also can&#;t match the production speeds of laser cutting machines. As with a stamping press, some forming can be done on the punch press.
A high-definition plasma system is good for thick materials and for applications in which the edge quality isn&#;t critical. An abrasive waterjet also is good for thick materials and for applications in which the metal can&#;t have a heat-affected zone, which is a problem with most thermal cutting methods. Both plasma and waterjet cutting systems cost less than laser cutting machines, but many times do not match the laser&#;s cutting speed. Of course, plasma cutting and waterjet systems can boost productivity with the use of multiple heads and the ability to cut stacked blanks; the application obviously would influence what exactly you need.
A company that doesn&#;t have a laser cutting machine generally subcontracts the work to one or several job shops with that capability. This scenario doesn&#;t involve a lot of risk and can work if you have some flexibility with lead times.
But there will come that time when you have to ask yourself if it is time for the company to bring laser cutting in-house. This has to be considered even if the business relationship with the subcontractor is great.
How do you know if it is the right time to own a laser? Look at how much you are spending monthly for laser-cut parts. In the words of Henry Ford, &#;If you need a machine and don&#;t buy it, then you will ultimately find that you have paid for it and don&#;t have it.&#;
If the decision is made to bring laser cutting in-house, you may be put in a position where you need to justify why the investment needs to be made. The costs associated with subcontracting out the laser cutting are just the starting point for the justification. How much more productive will the manufacturing process be with in-house laser cutting? How does this affect lead times? From an expense standpoint, not only do you have the cost of the laser cutting machine, you have labor and consumable costs, such as laser cutting assist gas.
Figuring out these answers will give upper management or even a lending institution an idea about production savings and subsequent return on investment following the initial investment.
Other than monetary issues, when manufacturers offer reasons as to why they are looking at purchasing a laser cutting machine, they mention &#;control.&#; Ask yourself these questions to see if you fall into this category:
As a manufacturer, you have numerous sources to purchase a laser cutting machine. There are dealers that specialize in used equipment and original equipment manufacturers that offer state-of-the-art cutting equipment and even refurbished machines that may not have the production prowess of new machines, but still can perform much more efficiently than machines of a similar age with no rework done to them.
Ask the OEMs questions about service availability. Today&#;s technology does not require as much maintenance, but when a machine goes down, you&#;ll want it back up and running as soon as possible. Also find out about parts availability and delivery. Again, a laser cutting machine that can&#;t cut because of a damaged part just doesn&#;t cut it.
Be aware that laser cutting machines from OEMs that are recognizable in the industry typically have higher resale values.
Two types of lasers currently make up a majority of the industrial market: traditional CO2 gas lasers and newer solid-state fiber lasers (see Figure 1). CO2 lasers have been the workhorses of the metal fabricating industry for the previous two decades. These lasers operate by running electricity through a gas-filled resonator (which includes CO2) and using mirrors to focus and deliver the beam. In a fiber laser, banks of diodes are used to create the laser, and it is channeled and amplified through fiber-optic cable, similar to that used in the telecommunication industry.
The fiber laser, which made its debut around , has lower operating costs and delivers higher cutting speeds than the CO2 laser. Early on the fiber technology could cut at these higher speeds only on thin materials, but with the advent of more powerful lasers, fiber lasers are demonstrating robust cutting speeds even in 0.5-in.-thick material. As a result, fiber lasers tend to be a popular choice, despite their higher price.
Also, fiber technology may open new opportunities for a fabricator. These machines can cut reflective material, such as brass and copper, whereas it is difficult for CO2 lasers.
Some applications still remain better suited to CO2 lasers, such as applications that require good edge quality on thicker or specialized materials. Also, some manufacturers may feel comfortable with CO2 technology because they&#;ve used it for several years, and the company has in-house maintenance expertise.
After the end of the warranty period, keep in mind that you will have to make a decision about ongoing maintenance. Are you comfortable relying primarily on the OEM for service, or do you like to be self-sufficient, perhaps relying on a third-party source for any maintenance? Because the fiber laser has fewer moving parts or mirrors when it comes to laser generating, unlike a conventional CO2 resonator, it will require less maintenance over its lifetime.
Choosing some level of automatic material handling equipment also is an important consideration. This is even more important today, primarily because of the significantly faster cutting speeds of the fiber laser technology (see Figure 2).
That&#;s why it&#;s necessary to understand just how you will use this new laser cutting capability. Do you plan to run the laser only a few hours each day or multiple shifts? Based on the typical time to process a sheet of material, can your operator keep up with manually loading and unloading the laser, even if it has a second shuttle table? How important is minimizing the labor cost in the part production to making a profit and remaining competitive in your business?
Sometimes metal fabricators choose not to buy material handling automation immediately. If you choose this route, ensure that pallet systems or even an automated storage and retrieval tower can be added easily in the future.
In many instances, manufacturers are already using a software package that everyone is used to. Will that software be able to work efficiently with the new laser cutting machine, or will you be better off purchasing the OEM&#;s software? If the latter, what new capabilities come with the new software?
As more of the manufacturing world is talking about increased interconnectivity among machines and software systems, it behooves you to ask if the new software is capable of running other machines already in place on the shop floor. Additionally, it&#;s worth having a conversation as to how the laser might integrate into the company&#;s network. Laser cutting speeds aren&#;t the only thing increasing at an incredibly fast pace; collecting pertinent manufacturing information in the blink of an eye is leading to more timely and impactful decision making for manufacturers.
With such a large investment, a manufacturer needs to know at what level of efficiency the equipment is operating. You need to know more than just if the machine is running or not running. This is where equipment performance monitoring comes in.
It&#;s important for you to find out if software can measure the laser cutting machine&#;s overall equipment efficiency (OEE) in real time. If so, can the software be used for your other laser cutting machines, if you have them, so that you might discover &#;hidden capacity&#; where you thought there was none?
With the cost of about 1 percent of the equipment price, monitoring software can provide a 10 to 50 percent productivity gain with paybacks of less than four months.
While some manufacturers pay cash for a laser, the majority use some method to finance the purchase. Don&#;t assume that your bank is the best source for funding the laser equipment purchase. Look at other alternatives, including the OEM, many of which own their own financing arms.
Also, don&#;t assume you will receive better service if you choose the OEM&#;s financing option.
Preparation is required for a successful delivery and installation. First, what type of foundation, if any, is going to be required? Second, the laser cutting machine has to be located in the right place in the facility, preferably away from harsh environmental areas. You also should have found the best location for the laser so that it contributes to an efficient flow of laser-cut blanks to downstream manufacturing processes.
For a lot of companies, the delivery of a new piece of major manufacturing equipment is a new experience. The company that supplied the laser cutting machine can answer your questions about shipping and rigging; they do this all the time.
Answering these questions and obtaining quotes based on the feedback can be used to narrow down the selection of the supplier of a laser cutting machine to two to three sources. From there you need to find the right model, ask the right questions during equipment demonstrations, and work toward an acceptable price. Remember, there are many important items to discuss during the final negotiation.
The purchase of such a machine can be an overwhelming task. That&#;s why it might make sense to join an industry association, such as the Fabricators & Manufacturers Association, to network with manufacturing peers to learn from them, or even seek out the assistance of someone that has been through or is familiar with this type of industrial equipment purchase. Such an effort likely would prove to be worthwhile.
Laser cutters produce smoke and dust, so proper ventilation is essential. If you don't have access to a window, think about getting a powerful air purifier system.
Diodes have trouble cutting into clear materials, and CO2 struggles with metal. Choose the right one for the materials you want to work with.
Laser cutters tend to be large, so make sure you measure your space first.
CNET&#;s expert staff reviews and rates dozens of new products and services each month, building on more than a quarter century of expertise.
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How we testWhat to consider
The size of your workshop
Laser cutters tend to be large, so make sure you measure your space first.
What materials you want to cut
Diodes have trouble cutting into clear materials, and CO2 struggles with metal. Choose the right one for the materials you want to work with.
Access to ventilation
Laser cutters produce smoke and dust, so proper ventilation is essential. If you don't have access to a window, think about getting a powerful air purifier system.
With more Americans identifying as makers, new products are arriving to scratch that creative itch every day. Machines like 3D printers, vinyl cutters and laser cutters are now available at prices to fit just about any pocketbook. They allow people to bring their creations to life in new and interesting ways. If you have the right materials and machines, you can even turn a profit on stores like Etsy, TikTok and Shopify.
I've used laser cutters for about five years to create various projects, from small dog tags to etching a 7-foot workbench with elven runes. Each cutter I use has a host of different pros and cons, so along with my CNET colleague Russell Holly, I've developed testing criteria to assess the best laser cutters.
You may notice that there are no open laser cutters on this list. After testing several I find them to be too dangerous for the average user. They could be good for commercial spaces, but having an open laser in a garage is just too dangerous for me to recommend.
The xTool P2 is our top pick for the best laser cutter. It isn't the cheapest laser cutter around, but with a host of amazing accessories, fantastic software and a cutting size and speed that are hard to ignore, it takes the crown from the Glowforge Pro, but just barely. It's huge, so make sure you have room in your workshop to house it.
Pros
Cons
Laser type
CO2
Power (wats)
55
Max cutting area
498 x 319mm
Price
$$$$
Exhaust/enclosure
Enclosed with active exhaust
$4,299 at xToolThe xTool P2 is the complete package for fast, powerful laser cutting at home or in a small workshop. With a full suite of accessories that let you cut 3-meter-long materials and round tumblers and glasses, the P2 can cut or etch any material you could hope for, including glass and transparent acrylic.
The software is excellent and can help you design your creations to better fit your cutting needs. The camera works well to help you align your materials, but be careful when working near the edge of the camera limits, because the fisheye distorts a little. This bundle comes with some materials to get you started and a fire safety system to give you peace of mind.
Read our xTool P2 review.
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$999 at Amazon
$1,000 at Best Buy
Pros
Cons
Laser type
Diode
Power (wats)
6
Max cutting area
12 x 12 inches
Price
$$
Exhaust/enclosure
Enclosed with active exhaust
$999 at Amazon
$999 at Amazon
$1,000 at Best Buy
The Glowforge Aura is the company's first consumer laser cutter aimed at the entry-level market. It's smaller than the other models, with a less powerful laser, but it works amazingly well on smaller projects. We've made beautiful carvings, etchings and other laser-cut projects on the aura, and all of them have been excellent.
Read more: Hands-on with the Glowforge Aura
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$3,900 at xToolPros
Cons
Laser type
Diode / Fiber
Power (wats)
20 / 20
Max cutting area (mm)
220 x 220
Price
$$$$
Exhaust/enclosure
Enclosed with active exhaust
$3,900 at xTool
Goto Tiper to know more.
$3,900 at xToolLike the original F1, the F1 Ultra has brought me no end of fun while I've been testing it. There is something special about carving a 3D depth map into a coin, a slate coaster or even a rock from your garden that is hard to match with a standard laser. The F1 Ultra is a mixed laser with a blue diode for standard cutting and engraving and a fiber laser for 3D carving.
The F1 Ultra is slightly bigger than the F1 and has the same accessories -- like the rotary system and fluted work surface -- as the F1 too. The best accessory is the conveyor belt, which can be used with the built-in software smarts to engrave batches of the same pattern, so if you need to make 100 more keychains at a convention, you can quickly and easily.
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$1,599 at xToolPros
Cons
Laser type
Diode / Infrared
Power (watts)
10 / 2
Max cutting area
115 x 115
Price
$$
Exhaust/enclosure
Exhaust / Semi enclosed
$1,599 at xTool
It's been a while since I've had as much fun with a maker tool as I have had with the xTool F1. It's lightweight and very easy to transport if you go to many trade shows, conferences or farmer's markets and, with the accessories in this bundle, you can etch batches of products as easily as one. The software is excellent too, making it easy to line up projects or trace out new projects from a photo.
I recently took the F1 to a STEM fair for primary school kids, and it was extremely popular as it whizzed around cutting out the school logo onto metal business cards. While the price is pretty high for a cutting area this small, you could easily make your money back with just a little work at a farmer's market stall or two. It's well worth the investment.
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$1,995 at AmazonPros
Cons
Laser type
CO2
Power (wats)
30
Max cutting area
300 x 210mm
Price
$$$
Exhaust/enclosure
Enclosed with active exhaust
$1,995 at Amazon
The Beamo is the smallest of Flux's impressive lineup of CO2 laser cutters, but don't let the small size fool you. The 30-watt laser, while weaker than some on this list, is still powerful enough to etch glass, although you may need the additional diode laser to etch onto the steel. It will happily cut through wood, leather and acrylic.
The Beamo also comes with a handy touchscreen on the device, making it much easier to control from your workshop without a computer plugged into it directly. Flux even has an app that'll let you control the Beamo directly from your .
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$1,300 at Amazon
Pros
Cons
Laser type
Diode
Power (watts)
20
Max cutting area
400 x 270mm
Price
$$$
Exhaust / Enclosure
Enclosed with active exhaust
$1,300 at Amazon
$1,300 at Amazon
The WeCreat is a fun little box that can etch and cut several materials. It isn't going to carve through thick wood or steel, but it makes fun projects for family fun time. I think it's perfect for schools, especially with its exhaust filter, as the enclosure and air assist make it safe for classrooms and stop little fingers from getting burnt. I created several projects for my kid's kindergarten class, and the teachers all loved it.
While the software isn't quite as good as Xtool or Glowforge, the camera is accurate and lets you mark where your material is well. It even has testing squares, so you can try out any material and see what power level you need. That's something all laser cutters should have.
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$2,300 at xToolPros
Cons
Laser type
Diode
Power (wats)
40
Max cutting area
498 x 319mm
Price
$$$
Exhaust/enclosure
Enclosed with active exhaust
$2,300 at xTool
Diode lasers are often low-powered, with no enclosure to keep you safe. The S1 solves both those problems by having a 40-watt laser that can cut through 18mm of wood in a single, albeit slow, pass. It also has a fantastic enclosure with a green lid to filter the laser's light and an active exhaust to blow away any smoke. The basic kit has air assist -- something all lasers should have -- and a honeycomb cutting surface to help reduce scorching on the underside of your material.
The S1 doesn't have a camera -- I think it should -- so everything is handled very manually. But that's true for most diode lasers.
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$6,995 at AmazonPros
Cons
Laser type
CO2
Power (wats)
45
Price
$$$$$
Exhaust/enclosure
Enclosed with active exhaust
$6,995 at Amazon
Glowforge has made it clear its mission from the start has been to ensure anyone can use what it calls "laser printers," and the Glowforge Pro is a shining example. A fisheye camera gives you a view of the cutting surface from a web app, which lets you effortlessly click and drag the things you want to engrave or cut. And if you pay for the extra filtration system, you can use this laser anywhere. Of all the systems tested here, Glowforge's focus on ease of use is a world apart.
With that ease of use comes some limitations you won't find elsewhere. Many features that make the Glowforge Pro great are available only if you pay a monthly subscription. If you're not using the Glowforge-made Proofgrade, the process of identifying the correct settings for engraving or cutting becomes quite manual. Additionally, the fisheye lens that Glowforge uses can occasionally cause accuracy issues when you're cutting or engraving on small, perfectly centered surfaces.
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You've got questions and we've got answers. We hope!
It will depend on what you want out of your laser. If you're looking to etch onto wood, leather or anodized aluminum, then a diode laser is cheaper, and it's easier to look after than a CO2 machine. Diode lasers, especially the cheaper ones, can be harder to set up than CO2 and will be slower. If you want rapid etching and a more powerful cutting experience, opt for a CO2 laser. If you are looking for something a little niche but powerful enough to carve metal, then try a fiber laser like the F1 Ultra.
Laser cutters can range from $500, for a cheap, DIY laser option, all the way up to $5,000 and beyond, for a big Glowforge. I'd recommend looking to start your laser-cutting journey somewhere around the $1,000 mark for a diode, or $2,000 for a CO2.
Most lasers, CO2 or Diode, can cut wood, acrylic and leather up to around 5mm thick. The more powerful the laser, the thicker it'll cut. Etching is easier and can be done by just about any laser, although metal etching works better with a diode, while glass and clear acrylic is better with a CO2 laser. A shortlist of materials can include:
Fiber lasers are a little unique, and they will struggle to etch some of the materials on this list. They will, however, carve metal, stone and even wood to a significant depth, making them great for 3D effects and deep etching.
Anything that gives off toxic gasses should be avoided, although if you have a good filtration system, a lot of that can be mitigated. You shouldn't cut anything likely to melt instead of fuse cleanly.
Testing laser cutters is a mix of objective and subjective measures. We spend time measuring speed and accuracy as well as usability and the overall look of the finished product. These tests are done in our labs and workshops over a month to ensure the lasers can endure proper use.
How do these laser cutters match up
Xtool P2Glowforge AuraXtool S1Fluxx BeamoGlowforge ProXTool F1xTool F1 UltraLaser power 55 watts6w40w40w45W10W20/20WLaser type CO²DiodeDiodeCO2CO2Diode/IRDiode/IRWork area 26 x 14 inches12 x 12 inches498 x 319mm24 x 17.5 inches660 x x x 220LED display NoNoNoYesNONoNoEnclosed YesYesYesYesYesPartialPartialPrecision 0.01mmN/A0.01mmN/A0..02N/AMax speed 600mm/sUnknown600mm/s300mm/sUnknownmm/smm/sMax material thickness 20mm5mm18mm5mm13mm5mmVariableSpeed is tested with a good old-fashioned stopwatch. I created a simple CNET logo design that can be cut on multiple materials. We time how long it takes to complete the cut. We use 3mm basswood, 3mm black acrylic and 3.5mm cardboard for our testing materials, to give us a good overall view. We then compare the speed with the software to see how accurately it calculates the cutting speeds.
The engraving is done with an image of my beautiful dog Indiana Bones. I imported that image into the workspace and used 3mm basswood for the material. I use the standard engraving settings from each machine to engrave Indy onto the wood. My CNET colleague Russell Holly and I then examine the etching for image quality. We're looking at contrast, the level of detail captured, and how grainy the image is, as well as considering our opinion on the overall quality.
Indiana is the perfect test subject for laser engraving.
For laser cutters with cameras, I created an accuracy test. I designed a file with 10mm and 5mm increments. The file is printed on standard paper and imported into the laser cutter software. From there, we use the laser cutter camera to align the physical marks to the digital and set the laser to cut. Once the laser is finished, we measure the offset using a micrometer to see how accurately the camera represents the paper image. This is especially helpful for laser cutters with fisheye lenses.
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