I am looking at the professional line Universal laser 6.60 it is a 60 watt laser with 18x32 bed. what do I all need that others suggest? do they come with vector cutting ability or have to add a table? how about rotary attachement? air vacuum exhaust? other than a salesman want to say you need it all what is really needed and what is a was of time or able to make myself. thanks all.

what do I all need that others suggest? do they come with vector cutting ability or have to add a table? It depends on what you want to do with the laser. That's like asking "do I need a tractor or a race car" and not saying what you want the vehicle for. The vector cutting is part of the software but you will need to mount whatever you are cutting on a honeycomb or some other grid-like stuff so the beam can pass through without damage to the back side of the material. If you are a little more specific with your needs I am sure people here can be more help. If money is no object then get everything, so you will have it if and when you get a need for it. Most people have no need for a rotary unless they are doing things like pens or drinking glasses etc. Dave

Dave thanks for talking to me. I can be found on the CNC woodworking machine fourums and since I have been over here you are the only one who has responded to me thanks.

Ok so I am new to the whole laser thing and did not want to come right out and ask the same question everyone does "What is the best laser to buy" so I did some research and I found what looks to me like a solid company with a sales distributor sort of close to me.

other than that I don't know much about a laser.

some backround on me and my shop.

Signs/graphics/wraps/plaques/Airbrushing/fabrication Ect.

I have

32" roland vinyl Plotter
54" Roland Inkjet Printer/Cutter
61" Laminator
Metaza M60 Roland impact printer (for sale)
4' x 8' Shop Sabre 5HP 5ACT CNC wood Router
12' x 12' Colmet Paint Booth
Hyper Therm Plasma Cutter
Lincoln Wire Welder
Table saw
Hand tools ECT.

I do various projects that though it seems I have a lot of stuff and may seem like I am already streched too thin I find ways to utilize all the machines and processes that I have into a finished product that need little to no outside help I like being self sufficient and not use outsourcing.

What I Want is a laser for engraving and cutting. I don't have a specific need for it just a general use. I would love a 4x8 laser table with Metal cutting abilities but $110,000 don't look to obtainable in this marketplace we are all in. so I have decided to drop my standards and try for a $20,000 laser that will do a lot of the stuff I want to try and see what I can do with it. My CNC router will still do a lot of the stuff I am doing but with a laser I could add Laser Stainless steel accents and Frame works to my signs and display making. also Engraved Stainless steel key chains ect.

so that is why it is hard to answer my question. I think I know what I want but don't think I can afford it. I could get a smaller cabnet style Laser engraver and get a CNC plasma cutter table both still way less than a 4x8 laser table.

I have searched here and confused about lasers. are there certain hidden things with them?

is all laser wattage the same.

is there different kinds of C02 lasers tubes that are better?

any thought are appreciated thanks.

What I Want is a laser for engraving and cutting. I don't have a specific need for it just a general use. Hi, Well first off you need to decide what you might want to cut or mark. A CO2 laser will not mark metal until you get into the thousands of Watts range. You can get a Nd-Yag laser that will mark metal and should cut thin metal but they are more expensive than a CO2. With a CO2 you can mark anodized aluminum as it boils off the color from the anodizing process and shows a white aluminum below so dark anodized colors are better for that. Gold and silver colors it is hard to see the work. You can also mark hard metals with a CO2 using a product called cermark but it is expensive (250g = $120) and ideally needs to be applied with an airbrush. A CO2 will cut almost all softer material like Plexiglas and thin woods to about 1/4" You can cut thicker by slowing down the speed but there are all sorts of trade offs. Laser power is laser power. It is collimated light so it is not exponential as with conventional light so a 50 Watt will cut at a faster speed than a 25 Watt, maybe not twice a as fast but close. Lasers are pretty slow generally with rastering work. You should get some sample Corel files and the material of what you think you might want then go to a laser dealer and have them cut or mark it so you can see. I think where you are at the moment in this thinking process, you should talk with some laser vendors and get them to show you what can and cant be done. Dave

I am going to Kern friday and there is a universal in Minniapolis. I have samples from Pinnicle, Epilog, Universal and kern. they are all amazing except kern is really amazing .187 Stainless engraved and vector cut. all the others pinnicle Universal and Epilog where wood lasered samples. I want to mark acrylic and cut it, wood, plaques. I want the metal cutting but may not be able to afford the payment. I got approved for 22K lease today so now I want to know what can be done with them. I have seen a lot of cool stuff lasered here. the 3D laser pictures are the most impressive to me.

I went and saw Kern Laser friday. www.kernlasers.com

They have a very good facility with tons of samples in all kinds of medias.

They must have about a 12,000+ sq ft building. there was 14 systems in various stages of building them and testing and setting up. they had a machine shop and a assembly/showroom/Test area.


I have to say that after seeing that 52x100 150 watt HSE laser in person and see it work and what it can do, I have given up on the universal or any other smaller laser system. I just can't justify buying a small laser after seeing this. all the other lasers seem like little toys now. I know for the applications smaller laser systems are intended for the are just as great but I like size and the ablility to cut full 4x8 sheets at a time the mild steel and stainless steal witht the same table.

It is like going to the car lot and test driving the Lamborgini then looking at a Pinto. I want the lamborgini.

the same system can cut mild steel and stainless steel with only a nosel change and pull the table grid out. It is a pretty crazy system and the size is what impresses me 52"x100" but It can do the same detail and the smallest parts. they had a sample where they where cutting out Watch Parts xtreemly small and thin metal parts. the focus length is .004 -.006

I went and saw Kern Laser friday. snip... they had a sample where they where cutting out Watch Parts xtreemly small and thin metal parts. the focus length is .004 -.006 :) Sounds very cool, but you omitted to mention the price. Dave

115,00+

I am not trying to compare this size machine to a smaller table top Universal laser. I am not a trophie and award shop so the fact this is 4x8 in size and can cut stainless steel Mild steel acrylic and more is what attracts me to it. if you compare it to Camtek or a milticam laser they are all $100,00. the kern 150 Watt is $105,00 plus $9,500 to ad a motorized Z axis and metal cutting capabilities. also a rotary attachement is $5,000.

it was amazing that this huge table can do the same small size quality that a other small size laser can do. plus it is huge to do big stuff. that is what I like I can do small trophies and key chains but also a 4x8 sign. that was all I was saying not to call all smaller lasers toys just after seeing a big laser I like it. It is a big investment about $2,200 a month on a lease with a 10% buy out. this will cost closer to $160,00 by the time I own it.

here is a photoshop document I had and turned to grey scale and took to them to see is engrave. total size of engraving was 4"x4"

I know it is not anything amazing for a laser to do but I did not think a large formate laser could do this detail I thought they where reserved for sheet cutting out Vector shapes in arcylics and stuff.