Just bought a small high precision 500 watt fiber metal cutting laser from china
Well, after a long time of research and careful consideration,I took the plunge and purchased a new laser cutter to add to my collection...this will be my 5th laser cutter and my first metal cutting laser (I'm very excited). My first 3 lasers were American made from epilog (7 years old and still going strong)..epilog really makes great machines....except their relatively small size is sometimes an issue so 6 years ago I purchased a much larger (and much much much cheaper) 80 watt co2 from China....the machine filled the gap for my occassional need for a larger machine....the machine was completely no frills and lacked all the bells and whistles that I enjoy from my well built epilogs but the machine filled a need and did the job and while nowhere near as well built, it did the job and considering its very large size, was extremely cheap!!!..it was easily 1/10th the price of a comparable American machine.
Everything went well the first year but then very quickly,it began to literally self destruct and crumble before my eyes.
That laser lasted only one year...lol...it was cheap so no hard feelings..
I discovered golden laser at a trade show while in china,and despite my first experience with a Chinese laser being a bad one,I found golden lasers machines to be very well built and actually,in many ways,far superior to epilog...epilog seems to cater to the advanced hobbyist or small,low production business, golden laser manufacturers true industrial machines with very specialised uses....they make literally dozens of models and so I took the plunge and bought an 8 foot x 4 foot 100 watt co2 with an auto feed conveyor belt...I've had this machine now almost 2 years and I have had nothing but a great experience with this work horse and while twice the size of the biggest epilog,with much more advanced software like auto nesting and auto feed production and continuous conveyor belt production, it comes in at like 20 percent of the epilog price..so needless to say, this machine is a far cry from my first Chinese machine experience and their support is great to boot..as long as I'm willing to pay hotel and meals, their tech will come to my factory for free and spend 2 days tuning up my machine and servicing it, anytime he happens to be in my city (about once every 6 months).
So, now that I find myself wanting a fiber laser for super high precision and super fine detail cutting and engraving of various metals, it wasn't much of a decision on who to buy it from.
The machine looks very well built and houses an american made fiber laser system...the machine is fully enclosed with a relatively small work area of 600mm).
I initially was planning on buying the same system for in the $30,000 range but instead of fiber, it was yag...but while discussing the machine and specs, I was introduced to the samples from the fiber option and was blown away!!! The price is basically twice as much but when you see the extreme micro machining capability of the fiber option, I just had to have it...I knew once I saw what the fiber could do, I would always be disappointed if I opted for the yag..besides, not only is the detail far superior with the fiber, but I can engrave as well, (not an option for the yag)
My use for this machine is similar to jewlery applications so it was a no brainer...I needed the fiber.
The machine is 500 Watts and I'm very excited and can't wait to start playing with my new toy!!!
I will keep you all updated on my progress with photos when the machine arrives and my first production.
I have already contacted my tech to arrange for his arrival when my machine does...these machines are great and we'll made but kind of a pain in the ass to set up on your own ( at least for me) I simply do not have the patience to navigate the terrible directions and broken english and besides, their software is rather complicated and capable of many advanced features so in order to get all you can from the machine, having a tech is a great option.
Anyway, there it is, my new machine!!...I'll keep the thread updated as my situation progresses
Re: Just bought a small high precision 500 watt fiber metal cutting laser from china
YES!!! we have been running it about 2 weeks and its amazing! I don't know how I managed without it..its now my favorite machine! ill post some photos of some of the work iv been doing with it when I get some time.
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Just bought a small high precision 500 watt fiber metal cutting laser from china
