PDA

View Full Version : Laser cutter, engravers to compliment you bot?


harryball
11-11-2006, 06:19 PM
Is anyone running a laser cutter/engraver in addition to a ShopBot?

Robert
edcoleman
11-11-2006, 07:55 PM
Robert:

I have both and they compliment each other very well. The laser is a 35W Universal and will cut thru wood @ 1/4", but the thing I use it most for is for engraving photos and decorative clipart into pieces cut on the 'bot.

-Ed
harryball
11-11-2006, 08:04 PM
I've got about $5k clear to buy something, I'm thinking a small used laser engraver cutter, nothing large. I could make good use of something like that for many of the products we make. I have a bat fridge magnet that does well, but putting a website on the front of it with the bot has proven too time consuming and difficult.

Does that price range sound reasonable for something like a used Epilog mini-18? What would anyone suggest.

Robert
Brady Watson
11-11-2006, 08:10 PM
I would be careful about buying a used laser. Ask lots of questions about when it was serviced, how many hrs are on it etc. None of them are cheap when the CO2 deal goes bad...and they ALL go bad eventually. It might be worth holding out for something with a warranty so that you have some recourse.

-B
supertigre
11-11-2006, 09:14 PM
Robert;

I run a ShopBot and a 40 watt Universal X660. Depending on the market you are servicing they can be very complimentry.
edcoleman
11-11-2006, 09:42 PM
Robert:

Brady is right, the lasers all need servicing/recharging over time. Think of it like a helium baloon - eventually the gas inside escapes and the unit needs to be recharged. I'm not familiar with the Epilog mini-18, but you might want to look into if it's laser can be recharged and what the cost would be before purchasing.

-Ed
jf_allie
11-12-2006, 03:16 AM
A product idea for those with a laser:
http://www.etchamac.com/
ed_lang
11-13-2006, 09:18 AM
I have a 50w Universal Laser Systems M-300 and it goes well with the Shopbot.
applik
11-13-2006, 10:49 AM
Robert,

You should have some specific ideas in mind before purchasing a laser. Like Ed, we have a 50W Universal 18 x 24 table and I still have to defeat the safety locks on the door to insert large items. But I wouldn't be without one. Depending on what you have in mind for the laser, you might want to consider the bed size as well as the wattage. You didn't say what you were thinking of using the laser for... If you give us a better idea, maybe we can be of more help.

SL