Newbie- should we buy this chinese laser ??

[albo]

Hi I am new here.

I am considering to buy a chinese laser engraver.
I think about the JSM3040U from Jinan Artsign Science & Technology Co.,Ltd

does everyone have expiricense with them and their machines.

I am no a reat technical guy so I want it to work without problems..

I have read somethings about Chinese lasers, but did not found any comment on this factory..

pls let know your experiences

thnx

[zax15uk]

I have a machine from Jinan Artsign. They are excellent value for money but do not expect much support other than the manual and videos they provide with the equipment.

I am an engineer and worked in the CNC industry (routers and lasers) for many years so setting it up and getting it to work took about 5 minutes.

Artsign are at least as good as other Jinan based companies, but also look at hxlaser and wklaser.

Zax.

[albo]

Hi zax15uk,

thanks for your quick reply !
For now they ( artsign) are realy doing their best.
(They even mailed a photo of an engraved logo we send them, made on the machine we maybe want to buy !)

So in this "selling-stage" there is a lot of communication..

I 'll look for hxlaser and wlaser (of whom I ve heard before)
thanks for that tip

I want to now for sure (as far as possible) that the machine is running and that we don't have to spend hours in setting ups and solving problems.

[LaserImage]

Originally Posted by albo I want to now for sure (as far as possible) that the machine is running and that we don't have to spend hours in setting ups and solving problems.

If you do a bit of searching for Chinese lasers, you'll find a lot of problems with exactly what you are trying to avoid. If you want something that is quick and easy, you would be much better spending the money on a laser that is made by the larger manufacturers - GCC, Epilog, etc.

I am sure the Chinese lasers will be better eventually, but they are not anywhere near there yet and I wouldn't recommend one to anyone without much experience.

Gary

[zax15uk]

All I can say is I had ZERO major issues in getting it setup and working.

The software was easy to learn (perhaps too simple), I create everything in ArtCAM, Corel or CAD before importing to the tool.

It was basically plug and play (for me). You may have to align the mirrors but they provide a video to explain this and although tedious it is simple enough.

I agree these Chinese machines have some limitations and perhaps more frequent setup issues due to shipping damage etc but the design and build quality is adequate for low volume use. I expected problems so was pleasantly surprised that none were encountered - lucky? perhaps. Happy, for sure!

Zax.

[LaserImage]

Originally Posted by zax15uk All I can say is I had ZERO major issues in getting it setup and working. ... lucky? perhaps. Happy, for sure!

Based on what I have seen from about 90% of the posts about these lasers, you are VERY lucky - or maybe they are starting to get better?

[albo]

thanks for your replies

We only need the machine for small qty.

We dont want ( read can not ) spend to much money, if we want a "non-Chinese" machines it is ( as you know ) about 4 x the price...

What I read is software a big problem, we only need very simple software.
Of what I understand so far is Newlydraw1 good enough.
Artsign mailed me a pic and that was perfect.

With listning to people like you and reading about the subject I hope to filter the "bad" manufactories..

[LaserImage]

Originally Posted by albo thanks for your replies We only need the machine for small qty. We dont want ( read can not ) spend to much money, if we want a "non-Chinese" machines it is ( as you know ) about 4 x the price... What I read is software a big problem, we only need very simple software. Of what I understand so far is Newlydraw1 good enough. Artsign mailed me a pic and that was perfect. With listning to people like you and reading about the subject I hope to filter the "bad" manufactories..

If your quantities are that small, maybe it would pay to have someone else do the job for you. It may cost a bit more per piece, but you don't have the capital investment, maintenance, training, etc., that you have with your own laser.

Just a thought.

[albo]

We have a small printfactory.
We have a lot of inquiries were we can use this machine.
And it must always deliver "yesterday"

[LaserImage]

Originally Posted by albo We have a small printfactory. We have a lot of inquiries were we can use this machine. And it must always deliver "yesterday"

If you have that much need, and that kind of urgency, I would think you would have the budget for a better laser. You will find that the time you spend "tinkering" with the Chinese lasers and the frustrated customers you have when you can't get a job done, will more than make up for the higher price of a more expensive machine.

How large of a working area do you need? What is your typical job going to be? There are several new lasers on the market that are a bit small, but may work well for you. Have you gotten price quotes from the main manufacturers?

[albo]

It is mainly for some promotional items.
(little)orders that we can get - if we deliver fast.

worksspace: don't know yet exactly. think about 30 x 40 cm
The prices I know of are way to high.
Here starting from 8000,- Euro (excl. tax )

we simply can not afford that

So for what I understand: the Chinese laser may not be perfect, probaly better that nothing ...

[zax15uk]

If you want a cheap machine for engraving it will probably work for you.

What materials would you be engraving?
What materials and thickness would you need to cut?

If you don't have experience, any laser system is going to require a learning curve to operate. Buying from a local supplier hopefully means they will backup the sale and provide support in getting you running sooner, with the Chinese purchase you save money but it may take longer to achieve the same results.

Value for money the hardware is EXCELLENT.

Consider that equipment can and probably will fail at some time, it may just be a faulty interlock switch or perhaps a burnt out fuse but whatever the problem you'll be on your own to fix it.

Zax.