Watt choice

[yabeweb]

Hello everyone, I am considering the purchase of a laser cutting / engraving machine, i would mostly cut 2mm wood and engrave on plaques and plastic (Plexiglass and such).

Now the manufacturer of the laser cutter (Gravograph) is asking me if i want to go with the 30 or the 55 watt and honestly i have some troubles deciding.

the question is...would the 30 Watt be enough?? Or the 6K upgrade to 55 is well worthed and.....required?

I am considering this machine for work (i own a typography) so it would be turned on 8 hours a day for 5 days a week (that depending on request of course)

So why should i choose 55 ....and what reason would make 30W enough?

Thanks

Drew

[bisjoe]

The 30 watt will cut your 2mm material wood fine. For engraving the power makes little difference between the two.

If however, you may eventually want to cut thicker material, you'd need more power. Also, if you get large production cut jobs, the higher power allows for cutting at a faster speed, and save a lot of time. I have 45 watts and find it great for most jobs, but if I had less much of my work would take a lot longer
since a good percentage of it is cutting 6mm acrylic. I can run it at speed 8, while the same machine with 30 watts would have to run on speed 3.