5 things to consider before buying a laser engraving machine
Buying a laser engraving machine is an important decision for companies and individuals. This sophisticated piece of technology uses high-powered lasers to engrave and cut designs on different surfaces.
Like 3D printers, a Laser per incisioni machine is also computer-controlled and does the job effectively once the CAD design is loaded.
However, there are several things to consider before purchasing a laser engraving machine. With so many options available in the market, determining the right solution for you can be a daunting task.
In this article, we have discussed some of the factors that you need to consider before buying a laser engraving machine.
5 things to consider before buying a laser engraving machine
1. Requirements
The decision to purchase a laser engraving machine should be guided by your needs. First, determine what you want to accomplish using the machine.
Determine what type of material you want to work on. There are several types of materials to engrave on, including wood, plastic, paper, acrylic, and metals.
Not all engravers are suitable for working with all types of materials. So, choose the one that best suits your needs. Also, find the engraving area you need. Some laser engravers offer a large working area while others have a much smaller working area.
Consider whether you will need it for amateur use at home or if you need a laser engraver for professional use. Spending a lot of money doesn’t make much sense for hobby use.
However, if you have professional needs, it is worth investing in a machine with optimal performance and efficiency, and with high laser power.
2. Budget
Your purchase budget will determine the type of machine you will purchase. While the price of a laser engraving machine won’t necessarily determine its quality, budget is one of the things to consider when considering purchasing one.
If you are looking for a machine for cutting different materials, it will be more expensive than others. There may be a cheaper solution, but it may consume more power and energy, thus becoming more expensive in the long run. All of these factors need to be considered when planning a budget.
There are different types of laser engravers available on the market, starting from € 70 to € 20,000. Some of the factors that influence the prices are the laser power, the engraving area, the material you can work on and the type of laser.
3. Replacement parts
Another factor to consider is whether replacement parts are readily available in the event of a laser engraving machine failure. Regardless of the device purchased, inconveniences may still occur.
There will come a time when you will need to replace some parts, regardless of machine maintenance. Therefore, it becomes important to know if the spare parts of the machine of our choice are easily available, or you will have to wait months before receiving them.
4. Maintenance
Maintenance is another crucial thing to consider when buying a laser engraving machine. Find out how often the machine needs maintenance and if you can do it yourself or if you need to contact specialized personnel.
Determining whether the device is easy to maintain or repair is critical, as the resulting downtime must be taken into account. If it is difficult to maintain, you may need to hire a technician to perform maintenance tasks, which can result in additional costs.
So, look for a car that is easy to maintain and repair.
5. Accuracy and Precision
There are many factors that determine the accuracy of the engraving machine, but the most important are the following:
1. There are two types of transmission methods in laser engravers: one is a screw drive and the other is a rack gear. The difference in engraving accuracy has a huge relationship with the driving method. In general, the accuracy of the screw drive is higher than that of the rack;
2. The technique and skill used by technicians during assembly is also an aspect that determines the accuracy of the machine. The better the machine runs, the higher the accuracy.
3. The higher the power of the drive motor, the higher the engraving accuracy.
4. In general, the accuracy of the square frame engraving machine is higher than that of the compass engraving machine.
The best laser engraving machines
Below are some of the best laser engraving machines that you can consider for purchase depending on your needs.
1. Alfawise C30 2500mW laser engraving machine with large frame
Alfawise C30 offers large area engraving, ensuring the ability to meet different types of needs. The high intensity laser machine can be used to engrave various materials, including paper, bamboo, wood, leather, sponge, plastic and ox horn.
It comes with a simple assembly design and a replaceable laser module. With a laser power of 2500mW, it offers an engraving area of 450mm x 400mm. It is currently available for sale on Gearbest. You can buy it for only € 149.89.
2. Alfawise C10 Pro CNC laser engraving machine
Alfawise C10 Pro offers a high degree of modularity. With a laser power of 2500mW, you can quickly assemble and install the machine yourself, without the need for technical assistance.
With a faster engraving speed, you can easily engrave different patterns and shapes on materials such as wood. Although it is not expressly suitable for professionals, it is possible to purchase the machine for personal or do-it-yourself use.
The machine made of aluminum material offers better stability and durability with higher precision. The offered engraving area is 300 x 180 mm. It is currently on sale, at € 153.51 on Gearbest.
3. Alfawise C10 CNC laser engraver
Alfawise C10 is more suitable for people who do DIY at home. With a 2500mW laser module, you can engrave on different materials, including wood, acrylic, plastic, PCB and other similar materials.
You can use this machine if you want to engrave on brass, iron or steel. It is light in weight and easy to carry. The working area is 300mm x 180mm x 40mm. The laser engraver is available on Gearbest for only € 135.45. Take a look before the sale ends.
4. Eazmaker C1310B Wood Router Portable Professional Laser Engraving Machine
Eazmaker C1310B is made of aluminum material, making the laser engraving machine light and strong. It is easy to transport and install and does not require much technical assistance to install.
The engraving area is not too large but it is sufficient for the daily needs of engraving small objects. An engraving area of 13 x 10 x 4 cm can be achieved. You can buy the machine for € 171.57 on Gearbest. Take a look before the sale ends.
5. LaserPecker L1 portable mini laser engraving machine
LaserPecker L1 Mini is one of the smallest laser engraving machines, with a laser power of 1600mW. It weighs only 190 grams and is compact and easy to carry. Do it yourself anytime, anywhere with the laser engraving machine which can be controlled by an APP.
It is password protected, which means you need to enter a code before using it. Apart from that, it also features an overheat protection.
Materials it can engrave include paper, leather, wood, cork, bamboo, cloth, plastic, and fruit peel, among others. The size of the engraving it offers is 100mm x 100mm. It’s a bit expensive compared to some of the other engravers – at € 251.94 on Gearbest.
6. Eazmaker LE – K1 desktop laser engraving machine
Eazmaker LE – K1 is more suitable for beginners or for those unfamiliar with laser engravers. With the laser power of 2500mW, it offers an engraving area of 550 x 450mm.
Some of the materials that can be engraved include wood, bamboo, plastic, paper, rubber, leather, and a plastic phone case. Made with an aluminum frame, it offers better stability and durability. It is also lightweight and corrosion resistant. You can buy it for just € 117.39 from Gearbest.
7. Ortur Laser Master 15W desktop laser engraver for DIY personal project
Ortur Laser Master, the world’s most popular DIY engraving software, is now available on a portable laser engraving machine that is easy to install and safe to use. Assembly takes only 5 to 10 minutes. What’s more, this is the first 32-bit laser engraver, it can pre-process 32 instructions at the same time to provide faster and smoother engraving. Besides, it can engrave on: wood, bamboo, cardboard, plastic, PCB, aluminum oxide, anti-reflective, plating, lacquered metal, blackened art knife. And cut: cardboard, non-woven, veneer, plastic, etc.
In addition, the 15W high-power laser can engrave deeper with a much longer lasting result. More importantly, its double security protection can provide users with worry-free use. The motherboard has a G-sensor to prevent the laser from causing damage. So this is a great device for your DIY project. You can buy the device from Gearbest for just € 158.92.
Conclusions
All of these laser engraving machines are currently available for sale with excellent discounts. If you need it for professional and personal use, there is an option for everyone. Choose the one that best suits your needs.