New Machine Build- Experience with CAMFive laser cutter

[lswonger]

Anyone have any experience, good or bad, with CAMFive Laser cutting machines. I am looking to purchase one for cutting of 0.060 inch thick polycarbonate sheet. They have said the dual head, 80 watt per head machine will work:
http://www.camfive.com/usa/cma1200ht.html
Looking for any experience with reliability and functionality of this manufacturer.

[Phaethon Lives]

I am now looking at a CAMFive laser cutter/etcher. Did you get one? What do you think?

[lswonger]

Originally Posted by Phaethon Lives I am now looking at a CAMFive laser cutter/etcher. Did you get one? What do you think?

I purchased it to cut 0.60" thick polycarbonate sheet. The machine could cut through it but left a black residue on the edge which was not acceptable for our product. I had them make samples before purchasing, but the samples they had made had been cleaned up.

Make sure the contract terms are fully understood, there is a little bit of a language barrier if English is you only language. Make sure you don't give up all of your leverage in case the unit does not work out.

The quote I received stated that "travel and labor costs for installation are paid for the customer". They also wanted 100% of the cost up front via wire or cleared check. We never do that for obvious reasons (good luck getting your money back if you're does not work). We negotiated 50% down via company check and waited for it to clear. Then they said we had to pay the estimated shipping up front too, pretty annoying. Then they informed us that technician labor and travel was to be paid "by" the customer, which they said was the same as "for" the customer. I explained the difference, but agreed to pay.

The unit arrived in good condition. The technician knew the equipment, but was not an expert at laser cutting.

I tried using shield gasses (instead of air) to remove the charring on the PC, but they did not work. I believe I needed a higher power laser for my application. The ventilation setup was also very poor. Did not remove the PC fumes which are very nasty. I would have had to rework the ventilation/exhaust.

Bottom line, would not cut polycarbonate with a clean edge, but probably fine for other material. I told than per our agreement I wanted to return the unit a get a refund of my 50% down payment. They wanted me to pay for the technician again and ship it back before refunding the money. I said no, would never have gotten the refund. I ended up repacking the unit in their crates myself, sending pictures, and waiting for a cleared check before releasing the shipment to their carrier.

Let me know if you have any other questions