If you want to purchase a laser machine to start a laser engraving business (laser etching business), you most likely have a list of questions needing answers. In this post, we’ve answered some common questions about buying a laser engraver machine.
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The capacity of your laser machine plays a pivotal role in defining the scope and competitiveness of your business in the targeted market. A high-capacity, versatile laser engraver and precision part cutter allows you to adapt and tap into new markets, especially when facing saturation in your current niche.
Before you purchase a laser machine, matching its capabilities with your business growth is crucial. Here are vital aspects to consider:
The power of your laser impacts the engraving speed and depth. Higher power will allow you to cut thicker materials in one path. Opt for a higher-power laser engraver-cutter if your business demands swift, deep engraving, especially for more rigid materials, or if you plan to have laser cutters for wood or acrylic into signages. This is vital for maintaining efficiency and expanding material versatility. Please study the following chart for laser power and the material thickness it can cut.
CO2 laser power vs. Thickness of materials
The bed size of your CO2 laser etching machine determines the maximum area available for engraving. It is the machine’s x-y motion range, and it is the ultimate cutting size as well. A larger bed size means the ability to handle more significant items and the convenience of engraving multiple smaller items simultaneously, thus boosting productivity. However, note that the bed size, often indicated in dimensions like 48 “x36”, differs from the maximum size of engravable objects.
The capacity of a laser engraving machine to accommodate various sizes and heights of objects is crucial. Your ability to engrave from small keychains to bulky or irregularly shaped items can significantly broaden your market reach. Ensuring your laser machine can handle diverse object dimensions is critical to expanding your marketing and sales potential.
That question is difficult for us to answer, as it depends on your plans for the laser machine and the most oversized size material for engraving or laser cutting machines. AP Lazer’s patented open architecture provides you with limitless opportunities, but the size of the machine will ultimately determine the size of the material and ease of engraving ability. Generally, bigger is better simply because if you have a giant machine, you have more options and opportunities to engrave larger objects than if you purchase a smaller machine. It’s entirely up to you and which revenue streams you’d like to tap into.
Laser machines range drastically in size, from small desktop engraving machines to large gantry-style laser engraving machines. For your laser engraving business, you also need to know the space requirements of AP Lazer machines. The largest of our machines require at least an 11′ by 8′ space. If less space is available, our smaller line of machines can fit in an area as little as 8′ by 5′. It is best if your laser engraving machine is in a space that shares a wall with the outdoors for convenient ventilation. Installing a 6″ fan will push any fumes or smells from the top of the machine to the outdoors. The AP Lazer should also be near a standard 110v power outlet, so extension cords aren’t unnecessary. One less tripping hazard is always better. Read more about safety tips.
Besides the space for your laser machine, You also need to consider your workspace, what products you plan to inventory, and if you need to meet customers in your space.
When selecting a laser engraving machine to start or diversify your business, it’s essential to consider the learning curve involved with its operation. Assessing how user-friendly the hardware and software are is crucial, as is the availability of training resources such as online videos and comprehensive knowledge bases. Understanding the level of ongoing support, including one-on-one training and technical assistance, is vital for smooth operation.
AP Lazer’s comprehensive one-on-one virtual or onsite hands-on training at our Las Vegas branch and 24/7/365 tech support can dramatically reduce your learning curve.
Another critical factor is the software compatibility of the laser engraver or etching machine. Compatibility with popular industry software like Lightburn can simplify learning, which often means more accessible online resources and community support.
It’s essential to recognize that the learning curve can be a hidden cost, especially for entrepreneurs focused on business growth rather than intricate machine operations. Choosing a laser engraving or etching machine that balances technical capabilities and ease of use is crucial for effective business integration.
Highly skilled technicians will spend one day assisting you in getting your machine up and running and helping you get familiar with the machine. Following the step-by-step instructions and assembling your machine before the one-on-one virtual training will leave more time for a technician to answer more detailed questions. Additionally, we offer 24/7 technical support, and Advanced Training is available should you require it.
Ready to grow your business? Download our free guide: The Ultimate Guide to Business Growth With a Laser.
When investing in laser engravers or laser etching machines, understanding the scope of included technical support is crucial. The value of tech support cannot be overstated, as business downtime due to machine issues can lead to significant financial losses, ranging from hundreds to hundreds of thousands of dollars per hour.
Often, machines become unusable due to lack of support, running in a faulty mode until they become unfixable, or replacement parts are unavailable. LIFETIME support is crucial for your machine’s life span and resell value.
Consider the support format provided: Via , , or chat? Also, it’s essential to have customers know the availability of this support – is it only during working hours, or is it more extensive?
AP Lazer stands out by offering 24/7/365 North America-based support for the lifetime of your machine. This support, including Facetime for on-the-spot troubleshooting and remote login capabilities for adjusting settings, can swiftly resolve issues, correct user errors, and answer your queries.
Such robust support ensures that even a machine that has been in use for ten years receives the same level of care as a new one, significantly extending the machine’s lifespan and ensuring continuous operation for your business. The best CO2 laser for small businesses has the most versatile capability and, most importantly, the best support.
Ask about the warranty duration. AP Lazer machines carry a three-year parts warranty, a two-year tube and mirror warranty, and the lens is warranty for one year. When researching machine warranties, the tube, mirror, and lens are essential to pay attention to, as most other laser cutter and engraver warranties count these parts as “consumable items” and cover them from 90 days to not at all. On top of everything, we also include a year of technical support and 24/7/365 lifetime technical support.
Laser machines can be paid for in various ways, but most commonly are purchased with cash (capital purchase) or by financing the laser equipment.
Laser machines can be paid for in various ways, but most commonly are purchased with cash (capital purchase) or by financing the laser equipment.
With competitive price and timely delivery, Beamtech sincerely hope to be your supplier and partner.
● Cash. It is an excellent option for existing businesses, as any profit you make with the machine is 100% yours from the beginning.
● Finance-to-own. Financing a laser engraving machine provides many convenient options to suit your financial needs best. Most financing companies offer some deferment option, giving you time to get the machine in your possession, receive training, pass the learning curve, and generate profits before you write the first check. Financing allows you to deduct the full amount of the purchase price of your laser in the first year when you utilize Section 179.
● Credit Card. You may pay for your complete diode laser engravers machine with a credit card. (3% fee applies).
● Utilize a bank of your choice for the option of a standard equipment or business loan, home equity loan, or line of credit. Federal grants are readily available if you are a non-profit or for-profit organization such as a school or university.
Making money with a laser machine is essentially up to the owner/operator. AP Lazer machines boast unique features that will set you apart from other laser machines and allow you to make money quickly.
Realizing the potential and taking advantage of our patented open architecture is extremely valuable and will provide you with many opportunities. With AP Lazer, you have no boundaries and never have to say “no” to anyone capable of completing their job. Your only limitation is your creativity and desire to laser-cut metal, but you can engrave metal with coating or bare metal with Cermark spray.
When entering the Emotional Marketplace with no size or weight limitations, you can diversify your business into unlimited low-competition and high-profit markets.
Please download the FREE eBook: The Ultimate Guide For Business Growth With AP Lazer
We hope to have answered some of your common questions about purchasing a laser machine and inspired you along the way. If you have additional questions we didn’t cover, feel free to contact us or give us a call at 800-585-
By Tong Li
January 9,
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Laser engravers are a useful tool and it makes sense to purchase one if you use it often enough. If you are considering buying a laser engraver, there are many things that you need to think about before buying it. There are a number of options to choose from and there are good reasons to choose one kind of engraver over another one. It is important to weigh the pros and cons of each of the laser engraver before you decide on the one that you would like to purchase. Here are some questions that you should ask yourself before you decide to purchase a laser engraver.
If you only plan on using the laser engraver once in a while, it may not be the best option to purchase a laser engraver. It may be more cost-effective for you to simply rely on a professional laser engraving service to manage your project. With a professional service, you can just have the company manage your projects for you and you can trust that it will be done properly. However, if you are planning on using your engraver very often, you have to decide which one is best for the kinds of project that you will be working on.
If you are worried about learning how to use a laser engraver, that shouldn’t prevent you from buying a laser engraver. You can use many different kinds of design software with laser engravers, so you may not need to learn how to use a new design software in order to use the laser engraver. Once the system and the laser engraver has been set up it is simple to understand how to use.
Laser engravers are extremely useful because of the variety of materials that they can engrave. You should think about the different projects that you will be working on and the materials that you are engraving before you choose which laser engraver you wish to purchase. Both the HTL QT Desktop Laser Engraver and the CO2 Laser Engraver have the ability to engrave many different types of materials. Here are the many different materials that can be engraved with a laser engraver.
Metal – Laser engraving on metal can be used for key chains, jewelry, gifts, name tags, and many other applications. The engraving is exact and can be extremely precise. You can use either the HTL QT Desktop Laser Engraver and the CO2 Laser Engraver to engrave many different types of metals.
Plastic and Rubber – The benefit of using laser engravers instead of a traditional engraver is that you can very precisely engrave plastic without needing to worry about melting the plastic. The CO2 Laser Engraver is the best option for anyone who is planning on engraving on plastic or rubber.
Glass or Crystal – Since glass and crystal are so brittle, they cannot be engraved with a traditional engraver. With a laser engraver, you can get permanent, precise engravings that are perfect for awards, trophies, or even wine glasses. The CO2 Laser Engraver is the best option for engraving on glass.
Paper – Using a laser engraver to cut paper is an excellent use of a laser engraver. It can be used to create invitations, artwork, and other creative uses. A laser engraver can make custom cuts and designs. The HTL QT Desktop Laser Engraver and the CO2 Laser Engraver can both be used to engrave paper.
This is something that you definitely need to know before you begin doing engraving. You want to make sure that you are not using the laser engraver on anything that could potentially damage what you are trying to engrave. Also, certain things could react with the laser and they could be harmful to you. For example, when PVC is cut with a CO2 laser, it can create hydrochloric acid and toxic fumes which are dangerous for you, and less importantly, will corrode the laser engraver itself. It is important for you to discuss this with the company that you purchase the laser engraver from to ensure that you only engrave what is safe and best for you and the laser engraver.
While both the HTL QT Desktop Laser Engraver and the CO2 Laser Engraver have a compact design, the size of the laser engraver depends on the projects that you will be working on. You will need an engraver that will easily fit in your office space or workshop but will be large enough to handle the projects that you will be working on. If you are working on extremely large projects, you may want to use a professional service. However, if you are working on smaller projects, then either the HTL QT Desktop Laser Engraver or the CO2 Laser Engraver will be an excellent option.
Before you purchase your laser engraver, it is a good idea to think about where you will be placing it. You need to make sure that you have enough space in your workshop or office for your laser engraver, and you also need to make sure that it is properly ventilated. It is a good idea to keep your laser engraver about a foot away from any walls or barriers. This ensures that air can circulate through the engraver’s fans and keep the engraver cool throughout the engraving process. You need to also be able to plug it into an outlet that is able to provide the right amount of electricity that the laser engraver needs.
Before deciding which laser engraver you want to purchase, it is important that you walk yourself through these questions, but also discuss any further questions with the company that you purchase the laser engraver from. Talk to the company about what you are planning on using your engraver for and they should be able to recommend helping you choose the best engraver for your needs. This will ensure that you are completely informed before you begin to use your laser engraver.
Want more information on Compact Laser? Feel free to contact us.