Which Chinese laser option to go for ?

[evans]

Hi
Here's my dilemma.
I'm developing a product using metal foils on paper backing that I need to cut out in various scripts or designs.
Since I'm in the developmental stage I intend to keep my expenditure low. I'm looking to buy an economical laser cutter from ebay. There are two options one does not have a usb connection and has newlydraw for laser cutting. The other has usb connection and moshidraw.
I'm expecting to need to buy appropriate software and modify the machine as required but I'd like to start with the best option. Also advice on modifications and upgrades would be helpful.
I'm a boatbuilder / shipwright and need the laser cutter as a viable tool, I don't want to get bogged down with endless hassles as I develop this if I can avoid it.
Thanks Evans Mott

[Tweakie]

Hi Evans,

It's a wavelength thing but the China import lasers are relatively low power (<100Watts) CO2 type and these will not cut metal foils well (unless they are just a couple of microns thick).
YAG lasers are better suited to metals but are in a different price league.

Try laser cutting samples of your intended product before you buy.

Tweakie.

[evans]

Thanks I understand that.
One of the reasons for opting for an inexpensive option is that I can resell it if necessary. The foils are very thin so I am hopeful that I will be able to achieve what I want. Possibly by sandwiching them between layers of dark cardstock. I'm open to any suggestions that could work better and are still not hugely expensive.

[evans]

I've found a Full Spectrum 40w laser on ebay for US$ 2,450. It looks like a quality product and the software seems easy to use.
At that price if I can't do what I need with the unit I could resell it without a great loss.
This looks to me like the answer.
Anyone got any opinions ?
Thanks Evans Mott

[Litografa]

Start from testing. Take your materials to nearest laser owners and ask them to cut your designs. Try chinese 60 Wt, chinese 100 Wt, brand RF 60 Wt, brand RF 100 Wt, fiber 10 Wt and 20 Wt. Based on tests results start searching.
If you are talking about isolation material - one of our customers cut it successfully with 100 Wt RF laser.

[Tweakie]

Originally Posted by evans I've found a Full Spectrum 40w laser on ebay for US$ 2,450. It looks like a quality product and the software seems easy to use. At that price if I can't do what I need with the unit I could resell it without a great loss. This looks to me like the answer. Anyone got any opinions ? Thanks Evans Mott

Evans,

My 2cents, for what it's worth........
On the face of it then it looks good and it is certainly good value but remember that you are in NZ they are in USA and the machine will come to you direct from China (beware of the hidden costs with expedited shipping). Shipping takes it's toll (they drop everything) - Can you fix any broken parts if necessary, setup the machine and source any spare parts if needed ? (the shipping cost of parts from USA to NZ is not going to be cheap).
From my experience a 40Watt CO2 laser will not cut the silver foil from a cigarette packet but it can cut up to 10mm clear acrylic so it would be good fun to learn with and as you say it's a good price.

Tweakie.

[evans]

Thanks for the input.
I will post results when I get the unit and start experimenting.
Regarding shipping, etc. On the Ebay ad there are a lot of Utube referrals one shows the unit as supplied being unboxed in Australia, it all looks well prepared.
There are numerous other referrals showing the units working and software options. They've obviously spent a considerable effort on this and it has convinced me to give them a try.

[zax15uk]

The application sounds better suited to a flat bed plotter (tangential knife setup preferably). It would be faster and give excellent results on this type of material.

There is no reason a CO2 laser won't work on thin films but I'm with Tweakie, an 80W+ system is going to provide the best results.

Zax.

[Tweakie]

Evans,

I just looked at their ebay listing and something is not quite right there.
They say "Note: We receive weekly shipments but demand is extremely high so we have 4-6 week waiting list"
Now take a look at their feedback and see how many have been sold in the last 12 months.
I find that strange.

Tweakie.

[evans]

Yes, I've been looking for four weeks or so and only today did this option come up ( perhaps I have been searching a different description on ebay though)
The blurb about delivery etc is exactly the same as on the Full Spectrum website. The unit can be also bought directly from them there for a similar price.
I'm interested in any other options. Hopefully a picture of my current experiment will come up with this post.
The foils I will be using are gold, white gold and copper. I expect to be working primarily in gold and white gold.
I'm loathe to spend more than necessary. I have firstly to produce the product then to see if it will sell. Chicken and egg scenario.

[Tweakie]

Evans,

Good fortune with your project. Please keep us posted on how it all turns out.

Tweakie.

[evans]

Hopefully the picture will come up this time. If so you'll have a better idea of where I'm going with all this