Chinese desktop laser machine manufacturers
I bough a Shenhui 50W desktop machine on Ebay several months ago for my hobby projects and to learn about laser cutting. It is one of the cheapest laser machines out there, but in fact it is quite descent. After playing with it a lot I felt intrigued by the possibilities the other higher-end Chinese manufactures could offer. I contacted a bunch of them on Alibaba and it was a very rewarding experience. Most of them were very responsive and I learned a lot. In fact I've learned most of the brands, models and prices of the components available to them. I also requested samples so I could compare their actual results. After awhile I began to distinguish 3 categories of Chinese desktop (mini) laser machine manufacturers:
1. Top quality brands
- ARGUS - SCU4030
After inspecting a lot of samples and configurations, Argus is the brand that made me the strongest impression. In fact the quality of the samples was identical with what I got from Rayjet (Trotec) and slightly better than Epilog Zing. They use only US Metal RF tubes, highest quality components, unique construction and very light head design similar to Epilog's. The cost of the machine is below 7K. I highly recommend this machine to everyone who is looking for precision and reliability and lives in a country where the major brands are overpriced.
- HSG - HS-Z4030
The quality of the machine and samples are just slightly below Argus while the price is slightly above, that is why I am placing them second. They offer options for US Metal RF tubes, Chinese RF tubes for half the price and low cost Glass tubes. The company takes pride in the top quality control and after sale service. The cost of their base configuration is around 3K and it is quite possibly the best desktop machine with a glass tube on the market. I think their major competitor will be US Glowforge when they arrive later this year.
2. Mid-range
- BODOR - BCL-MU
As far I know their big machines are good but the desktop model do not shine. They use a very similar design as the low-cost manufactures. The quality of the samples is just a little above my cheap Shenhui. I place them in the second category because the quality of some components is slightly better and they have good support. That makes them a better choice for someone who is looking for a more reliable machine.
- THUNDERLASER - Nova24
The quality of the samples I got is pretty much the same as Bodor's. They also have good remote support. The design of the machine is very similar to many other Chinese brands. The main thing that sets them apart are the motors/drives they equip their machines with. They use stepper motors with closed-loop positional feedback, called Easy-Servo.
3. Low-cost
I can list more than 10 brands, but frankly they are all very similar. These are the 2 that made me better impression:
- SHENHUI - SH-G350
I am listing it first in this category because after seeing so many samples I realized the quality of these machines is the same as many other Chinese brands while the price is significantly lower and they also have a dealer in California so you can get them easy with an inexpensive local courier.
- G.WEIKE - LG500 and Storm600
They are well known in this forum - also very reliable and can be a good low-cost option.
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Last edited by Storen; 01-23-2016 at 03:48 PM.
Re: Chinese desktop laser machine manufacturers
Hi storen,
now you get the machines? early we talk about our LG500 deks top models and Storm600 desk top model,
hope you find your desire models. any quetions, you can give me emials,
Quiven form gweike laser
skype:wkquiven
chloe@wklaser.com
whasApp:8615698041856
Re: Chinese desktop laser machine manufacturers
Awesome post! Do you have pricing for these specific models?
Re: Chinese desktop laser machine manufacturers
Sure. Note the prices listed below don't include shipping and taxes.
I also requested the same set of custom samples from all the brands/machines so I could compare the quality easier. I am listing my overall score 1(low) to 10 (high).
ARGUS - SCU4030 - 30W USA RF Metal
Price: below $7000
Sample quality sore: 10 of 10
Representative: Kofi (kofi”at”sunic.com.cn)
HSG - HS-Z4030 - 25W USA RF Metal
Price: around $7000
Sample quality sore: 9 of 10
Representative: Amanda (sales10”at”hsglaser.com)
HSG - HS-Z4030 - 25W Chinese RF Metal
Price: around $5500
HSG - HS-Z4030 - 25W Glass
Price: around $3000
BODOR - BCL-MU - 40W Glass
Price: below $2500
Sample quality sore: 5 of 10
Representative: Patrick (sale049”at”bodorcnc.com)
Note: Bodor offers a lot of options for the laser source (including USA metal RF) and Panasonic Servo.
THUNDERLASER - Nova24 - 40W Glass
Price: below $4500
Sample quality sore: 5 of 10
Representative: Nolan (nolan”at”thunderlaser.com)
SHENHUI - SH-G350 - 35W Glass (falsely specified as 50W)
Price: below $1500
Sample quality sore: 2 of 10
Representative: Amanda (laser”at”shenhuilaser.com)
Note: I want to mention how impressed I am with the Shenhui's rep. Amanda. She is very kind and responsive and made everything possible to help me, knowing that I already bought a machine from Ebay and I wont buy another.
G.WEIKE - LG500 and Storm600
Price: see the note
Sample quality sore: 3 of 10
Representative: Quiven (chloe”at”wklaser.com)
Note: I requested a quote for a very specific custom configuration, so actually I don't know their base prices. I expect them to be around Bodor's. I received 2 set of samples: one from their standard LG500 configuration the quality of which is quite disappointing and another one from their larger machines with Japanese servo and USA RF tube. The quality of the second set is excellent.
For reference:
EPILOG MINI18 - 30W USA RF Metal and Servo (not sure which kind)
Price: around $13000 (with similar accessories as the Chinese alternatives)
Sample quality sore: 4 of 10
Note: Frankly I expected much higher quality samples from this brand. I don't know if there was something wrong with their test machine. The sale rep. suggested that this model is recommended for engraving and so much for cutting.
EPILOG ZING16 - 30W USA RF Metal and Stepper
Price: around $10000 (with similar accessories as the Chinese alternatives)
Sample quality sore: The local rep. couldn't provide samples. He told me he would request some from the headquarters.
RAYJET (TROTEC) - 30W USA RF Metal and Stepper
Price: around $10000 (with similar accessories as the Chinese alternatives)
Sample quality sore: 10 of 10
TROTEC SPEEDY100 - 30W USA RF Metal and Brushless Servo
Price: below $14500 (with similar accessories as the Chinese alternatives)
Sample quality sore: 10 of 10
Note: These are the best samples I've seen. Absolute perfection.
UNIVERSAL VLS2.30 - 30W USA RF Metal
Price: around $11500 (with similar accessories as the Chinese alternatives)
Sample quality sore: I haven't seen samples from it yet.
Re: Chinese desktop laser machine manufacturers
Originally Posted by Storen
Thanks!
Did you contact RedSail at all?
I'm interested in the GWEIKE LG500. Especially with the us parts and upgrades. Can you share that quote? Do you know of any US resellers? My main issue is I don't want to send a wire transfer. I'll purchase a chines brand but I want to do so through either PayPal or via American Express.
Chris
- - - Updated - - -
Forgot to ask..Do you know the DPI on the LG500?
Re: Chinese desktop laser machine manufacturers
@Chris
You are welcome.
//Did you contact RedSail at all?
No, I haven't. If you plan on doing it, please post the details in this thread.
//Can you share that quote?
Best contact Quiven. She'll provide you with the most accurate information.
//Do you know of any US resellers?
I doubt they have a dealer in US. You will have to buy from the factory.
//My main issue is I don't want to send a wire transfer.
Your best option would be using Alibaba's Escrow. I think they call it “Secure Payment”.
PayPal would be my second choice.
Re: Chinese desktop laser machine manufacturers
BTW if you are looking for a larger machine with higher wattage I would suggest to check these 2 as well:
The price of the base configuration with 60W tube on both is around $3500
Re: Chinese desktop laser machine manufacturers
Lg500 automation Technologies has them
Re: Chinese desktop laser machine manufacturers
also check our Rabbit Laser USA if you want a solid built machine with USA support check them out. Yes prices a little higher but machines are better and you get better support.
Re: Chinese desktop laser machine manufacturers
I'm considering a LG500 from Automation Technologies. My concern is how much work i'm going to have to do on the machine out the box. Will the laser be aligned. software installation, wiring quality. Does anyone have experience with an LG500 from Automation?
Re: Chinese desktop laser machine manufacturers
It depends on how far your shipping it . The machine itself I believe is a Gweiki Laser
There pretty well known. You will have to check the wiring altho it should be ok. You will have to install all the software and align mirrors upon arrival. If you want to avoid all that get the Rabbit it will be ready to go and you get training also.
Re: Chinese desktop laser machine manufacturers
I have the lg500 from Automation Technologies and it wasn't to bad to set up. I did have to adjust the alignment. I would get a amp meter right away as my power supply was a little high so I had to keep it under 90% power to be with in the tube power.
Re: Chinese desktop laser machine manufacturers
Hi Storen
I'm kind of a newbie, in the market for a laser cutter. I've done shopping around Alibaba and directly contracting a few more as Gewike, Argus, Hans's Laser, Thuderlaser, JQ Laser and Shenhui. The offers are interesting but Argus and Shenghui are close to our requirements which were hybrid servo, autofocus, motorized Z hight axe and so on. Now obviously there is a difference quite substantial in the ones shortlisted in terms of costs so I was wondering if this top quality brand is still standing up after 5 years in your opinion, probably based on more experience gained by times. Any suggestions? Thanks, Nick
Re: Chinese desktop laser machine manufacturers
Iwould also check out Rabbit Laser, their a well built machine Mine is still going strong, I bought a used demo 5 years ago .
Hi Bigbird48,
Thanks we will check it.
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