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Things You Need to Know About CO2 laser cutting machine

Author: Morgan

Oct. 07, 2024

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Things You Need to Know About CO2 laser cutting machine

Since its first use in the s, the CO2 laser cutting machine has been continuously improved and upgraded. And now it has become an important laser cutter machine. CO2 laser cutting machine has a wide range of applications in cutting and engraving non-metal materials. Based on different laser power, the material type and thickness that the CO2 laser cutter machine can cut also different. What do you need to know before buying a CO2 laser cutting machine? Do you know how to buy a CO2 laser engraving machine?

This article offers a comprehensive introduction of the CO2 laser cutting machine, including its definition, application, price, and how to choose. I hope this article can solve all your doubts about CO2 laser cutters.

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What is CO2 laser cutting machine

The CO2 laser cutting machine, or CO2 laser cutter is a type of CNC laser machine using CO2 laser technology to cut and engrave materials. As the CO2 laser cutting machine can also engrave, the CO2 laser cutting machine is also called CO2 laser engraving machine or CO2 laser engraver. Besides, some people also call it wood laser cutter or acrylic laser cutter, etc.

The CO2 laser cutting machine uses a focusing lens to focus the CO2 laser beam onto the surface of the material to melt it. At the same time, the coaxial compressed gas blows away the molten material. The laser beam moves along a certain path, forming a slit of a certain shape. Then the cutting process completes.

Advantages of CO2 laser cutter

  • Rapid cutting speed
  • High cutting efficiency
  • Small heat affected zone
  • Narrow cutting incision
  • Good for cutting non-metal materials
  • Not affected by the shape of workpieces
  • Material and labor-saving

Disadvantages of CO2 laser cutter

  • Low photoelectric conversion rate
  • High energy consumption
  • High operation cost
  • Including several consumables requiring frequent maintenance

Cutting material and application of CO2 laser cutting machine



In general, although the CO2 laser cutting machine can process mild steel, aluminum, titanium and other alloys, the cutting efficiency is low. However, it is quite good at cutting and engraving non-metal materials. Materials that CO2 laser engraving machine can cut and engrave include:
 

A 40W CO2 wood laser cutter can make marks on steel materials and a 90W CO2 laser engraver can engrave on the steel surface directly. With oxygen as the auxiliary gas, a CO2 CNC laser cutter of 150W and above can cut a steel sheet of 1mm thick.In general, although the CO2 laser cutting machine can process mild steel, aluminum, titanium and other alloys, the cutting efficiency is low. However, it is quite good at cutting and engraving non-metal materials. Materials that CO2 laser engraving machine can cut and engrave include:

Metal
Mild steel
Aluminum
Titanium
Alloys
Non-metal
Wood
Acrylic
Paper
Fabric
Epoxy resin
Plastic
Rubber
Crystal
Leather
Stone
CO2 laser cutters have wide applications in the industries of clothing, leather, cloth toys, computer embroidery and cutting, electronic appliances, models, handicrafts, advertising and decoration, packaging and printing, paper products and other industries.

Major parameters of CO2 laser cutting machine

Laser type Sealed CO2 glass laser tube Working area 900*600mm, *900mm, *mm, *mm Laser power 60W-150W Control system RUIDA Working voltage 220V, 50HZ single phase Cutting speed 1-mm/min Cutting thickness 0-25mm, depending on laser power and material thickness Applicable material Non-material materials: wood, MDF, acrylic, glass, leather, paper, plastic, rubber, stone, crystal Working table Aluminum blade worktable Position system Red dot Support graphic format DST, PLT, BMP, DXF, etc. Motor and driver Stepper Accessories Stepper motor, water chiller, ball screw, air pump, lens, etc. Operating temperature 0-45&#; Operating humidity 5-95%

Difference between CO2 laser cutter and fiber laser cutting machine

Fiber laser cutting machine is also one of the most commonly used laser cutter machine. Different from the gas laser tube and optical transmission of the CO2 laser machine, the fiber laser cutting machine uses a fiber laser and a cable to transmit the laser beam. The wavelength of the fiber laser beam is only 1/10 of that generated by a CO2 laser. So compared to the CO2 laser cutting machine, the fiber laser cutting machine can reveal better consistency and reliability, and can process finer patterns.

The principal differences between a CO2 laser cutter and a fiber laser cutter lie in the following aspects.

1.Laser

A CO2 laser engraving machine uses the CO2 laser tube to generate laser beams. The working substance is mainly CO2, and O2, He, Xe, etc. as the auxiliary gas. The CO2 laser beam is reflected and focused to the laser cutter head by reflective and focusing lenses.

A fiber laser cutting machine generates a laser beam through multiple diode pumps. And then the laser beam is transmitted to the laser cutting head through a flexible fiber optic cable.

2.Processing materials

The beam wavelength of a CO2 laser is 10.64um and is more easily absorbed by non-metal materials. However, the beam wavelength of a fiber laser is 1.064um, which is 10 times shorter. Due to this much smaller focal distance, the intensity of the fiber laser cutter is almost 100 times higher than the CO2 laser cutter with similar power output. So the fiber laser cutting machine is quite suitable for cutting metal materials.

A CO2 laser engraver can cut and engrave metal materials, its efficiency is low. So the CO2 laser machine is mainly for cutting and engraving non-metal materials. For instance, wood, acrylic, paper, leather, fabric, etc.

Fiber laser cutter, also known as metal laser cutting machine, is mainly for metal materials. For example, stainless steel, carbon steel, galvanized steel, copper, aluminum, etc.

3.Production cost

A CO2 acrylic laser cutter consumes a lot of gas when they are working. But its photoelectric conversion rate is only 8% to 10%.

A fiber laser cutting machine requires less other consumption during processing, and its photoelectric conversion rate can reach 25%-30%. So the fiber laser cutter is more energy-saving than the CO2 laser cutter.

4.Maintenance cost

The CO2 laser tube has a complex structure and the optical lenses are vulnerable and expensive. Replacement of these consumables requires a lot of expenses. So the maintenance cost for a CO2 laser cutting machine is high.

Fiber laser cutting is basically free of maintenance and has fewer vulnerable pars. It is capable of enduring harsh working environments and has a high tolerance for dust, shock, impact, humidity, and temperature. Therefore, the maintenance cost for a fiber laser cutter is low.

5.Cutting efficiency

The CO2 laser engraving machine has a large beam divergence during processing, which is not suitable for large-size processing. Although the cutting seam is relatively small, the speed is very slow when processing thick plates.

The features of a fiber laser cutting machine include high density and intensive laser beam, high brightness, and high conversion rate. For thin plate processing, the cutting speed of a fiber laser cutting machine is 2-3 times higher than that of a CO2 laser cutter with the same power.

CO2 laser cutting machine price

When you plan to buy an acrylic laser cutter, you may wonder about the CO2 laser cutting machine price. Based on different specifications and configurations, the CO2 laser cutting machine price varies from about $3,000 to $20,000. If you want to buy from abroad, you also need to pay additional fees, such as shipping costs, taxes, customs clearance fees, etc.

Factors that affect the CO2 laser cutting machine price

As I mentioned before, different specifications and configurations lead to different CO2 laser cutting machine price. So you need to communicate with the CO2 laser machine manufacturer to get the specific and detailed price list. Then, what factors can affect the CO2 laser cutting machine price?

Brand

The brand influence of a CO2 laser engraver is reflected in the quality, operation and service of the machine. Large-brand CO2 laser machines typically adopt good quality parts and components to ensure a stable and reliable operation.

Parts and components

As the major device to generate laser beams, the CO2 laser tube is the most important core part of a CO2 laser cutting machine. Besides, there are also other major parts and components, such as optical lenses, guide rail, rack, stepper motor, chiller, etc. Large-brand parts and components have excellent quality, stable performance and long service, and corresponding high price.

CO2 laser tube power

The thickness of the materials cut by a wood laser cutter varies according to different CO2 laser power. The higher the CO2 laser power, the thicker the CO2 wood laser cutter can cut. For the CO2 laser tube of the same brand, the higher the power, the higher the price.

Size of worktable

The CO2 CNC laser cutter usually doesn't come with large-size worktable. The common size of the worktable includes 600*900mm,*900mm, *mm, and *mm. The higher the worktable size, the higher the CO2 laser cutting machine price.

Service

Service, whether before sales or after sales, is also an important factor. All-round services offer customers machine safety and timely maintenance of the CO2 laser engraver machines. Reliable CO2 laser machine manufacturers can provide complete and consistent services, and their CO2 laser machine has high quality and high price accordingly.

How to choose a CO2 laser cutter

Overall, finding the best wood laser cutter for your needs is going to require some deep consideration on many matters. For example, what you will use it for, the materials you plan to use, ease of use you require, and your price range. So before buying a CO2 laser engraver, you need to do the following preparations.

Figure out your processing requirements.

This includes what materials you plan to cut or engrave, dimension and thickness of such materials. It helps you determine the machine size and power of the CO2 laser cutting machine you need. The CO2 laser engraving machine is good at cutting and engraving non-metal materials of thickness within 0-25mm. If you want to engrave or cut any other surface than plain sheets, such as glass, you may need a rotary device.

Choose a suitable CNC laser cutter machine manufacturer.

There are so many CO2 laser machine manufacturers on the market. It is necessary to take time to do some investigations and select a suitable one. Such investigations shall include the professionalism, production capacity, delivery capacity, service level and other aspects of the CNC laser cutter machine manufacturers.

Consider the machine price.

When you get the quotation, you need to pay attention to the specific configuration of the CO2 laser engraver. Don't be tempted by the low price blindly Because it may have some parts of poor quality.

In short, I would not advise making the choice based on the CO2 laser cutting machine price only. Because I believe that you get what you pay for. Low-priced laser machines are likely to use poor-quality parts, resulting in high maintenance costs in later use.

Remember to sign a contract with the manufacturer.

After you have reached an agreement with the manufacturer and prior to paying the advance, remember to sign a purchase contract. Stipulating the rights and obligations of both parties is helpful for safeguarding the rights and interests of both parties.

Affordable CO2 laser cutter for sale

Here I'd like to introduce the Blue Elephant CO2 laser cutter for sale. Blue Elephant has been dedicated to the development and production of CNC equipment for over ten years. Its laser cutter machine has been sold to many countries and regions, and has received many positive comments. Blue Elephant CO2 laser cutting machine has characteristics of rapid cutting speed, high precision, small cutting incision, smooth and stable operation.
 

Model CNC wood laser cutter machine CNC acrylic laser cutter and engraver Processing area mm*900mm mm*mm Laser power 100-150W (optional) 80W/100W/150W (optional) Protection cover Yes No Functions Cut, engrave, etch, mark Cut, engrave, etch, mark Price range $3,000-$5,000 $5,000-$10,000

1. CNC wood laser cutter machine


It is equipped with a rotary device, which makes this CO2 laser cutter suitable for engraving cylindrical workpieces, such as glass. This CO2 laser engraver has a protection cover, which can protect the operator from being hurt.

The CO2 laser cutting machine price varies from $3,000 to $5,000. For the price, you need to consult with Blue Elephant based on your processing requirements, such as type and thickness of the cutting materials, cutting speed, etc.

2. CNC acrylic laser cutter and engraver


The CO2 laser cutting machine price is about $5,000 to $10,000. It can achieve several functions, such as cutting, engraving, marking and etching various non-metallic materials. The laser head of this CO2 laser machine can focus and adjust the depth of cutting and engraving automatically. So there is no need to making the second processing.

Conclusion

CO2 laser cutting machine is quite popular with the workshops engaging in non-metal material cutting and engraving work. A qualified CO2 laser cutter machine is a good weapon to gain profits because of its high efficiency, good precision and extensive application. However, the CO2 laser engraving machine also has shortage, for example, low photoelectric conversion rate, high energy consumption and high operation cost. But in my opinion, the advantages of a CO2 laser cutter far outweigh its disadvantages. It is worthwhile to buy one to develop your business.

Choosing a CO2 laser cutting machine shall take many factors into consideration. You can determine the CO2 laser machine type, power, dimension and other configuration according to your production needs and processing materials. Great laser power, imported components, large working size and buying from overseas can all cause extra money to the CO2 laser cutting machine price.

Mild steelAluminumTitaniumAlloysWoodAcrylicPaperFabricEpoxy resinPlasticRubberCrystalLeatherStoneCO2 laser cutters have wide applications in the industries of clothing, leather, cloth toys, computer embroidery and cutting, electronic appliances, models, handicrafts, advertising and decoration, packaging and printing, paper products and other industries.Service, whether before sales or after sales, is also an important factor. All-round services offer customers machine safety and timely maintenance of the CO2 laser engraver machines. Reliable CO2 laser machine manufacturers can provide complete and consistent services, and their CO2 laser machine has high quality and high price accordingly.Overall, finding the best wood laser cutter for your needs is going to require some deep consideration on many matters. For example, what you will use it for, the materials you plan to use, ease of use you require, and your price range. So before buying a CO2 laser engraver, you need to do the following preparations.This includes what materials you plan to cut or engrave, dimension and thickness of such materials. It helps you determine the machine size and power of the CO2 laser cutting machine you need. The CO2 laser engraving machine is good at cutting and engraving non-metal materials of thickness within 0-25mm. If you want to engrave or cut any other surface than plain sheets, such as glass, you may need a rotary device.It is equipped with a rotary device, which makes this CO2 laser cutter suitable for engraving cylindrical workpieces, such as glass. This CO2 laser engraver has a protection cover, which can protect the operator from being hurt.The CO2 laser cutting machine price varies from $3,000 to $5,000. For the price, you need to consult with Blue Elephant based on your processing requirements, such as type and thickness of the cutting materials, cutting speed, etc.The CO2 laser cutting machine price is about $5,000 to $10,000. It can achieve several functions, such as cutting, engraving, marking and etching various non-metallic materials. The laser head of this CO2 laser machine can focus and adjust the depth of cutting and engraving automatically. So there is no need to making the second processing.

10 factors to consider before buying a laser engraver

Nowadays, laser engraving has become a more common technique in workshop and even home. In the exclusive era of industrial manufacturers, more and more small companies, product designers, creators and even hobbyists now use laser engraving. 

However, buying laser engraving machine or cutting machine is not easy for beginners, enthusiasts and enterprises to make a decision. Investing in the wrong laser equipment may affect your business. Like 3D printers, laser engraving or cutting machines are also controlled by computers. Once the requirements are met, they can work effectively.             

Thus, before buying a laser engraving or cutting machine, you should know some factors. There are many choices for these machines. How to choose the laser engraving machine or cutting machine suitable for your requirements?             

In this article, we will list some factors you should consider before buying a laser engraving machine. 

 1. Needs

The first thing you need to consider is your needs. Consider which materials you will use primarily. Not all machines can handle all materials successfully. Then there are differences in work areas. Will you use smaller objects or larger objects. Whether you are a fan of DIY or plan to make it your business, this will make a big difference. Professional machines are certainly more expensive. If they are only for household use, it is meaningless to spend a lot of money. On the other hand, if you are planning a business, invest more money and it will pay off in the long run. 

 2. Manufacturers 

Laser machine is a huge investment. Each laser brand has its own machine type. Machines have different sizes; Power and function, so make sure you know what you want to do with it. Some machines are more suitable for production, while others are not because they are much slower. Larger machines allow you to cut and engrave larger objects, so make sure you figure out what you want the machine to do first.            

For more information, please visit Tiper.

Study the manufacturers and brands of laser machines. Find out which companies have received good feedback, and if you buy machines from them, what is the speed and cost of spare parts.  The manufacturer that Monport partnered with has 20 years of experience in the field of laser engraving machine. With its perfect service, the manufacturer has accumulated a good reputation in the industry. Monport cooperates with its powerful manufacturers to jointly provide good and perfect services for our customers. 

 3.Budget

How much will you spend to decide the machine you want to buy? Generally speaking, the higher the price, the better the quality, but not always. You can choose a relatively better one within your budget. The cost of laser engraving machine/cutting machine should be considered. If you want equipment that can engrave a lot of materials, it costs more than others. There may be a cheaper option, but it may consume more electric energy.            

It's hard to give a simple answer because it depends on your needs or the type of work you want to accomplish? Before starting all projects, you first need to consider the materials to be processed and their production capacity, and then determine the machine specifications you want, such as laser type, power and working area size. Different types of laser engraving machines have different functions and applications. Generally speaking, the larger the wattage and working face, the higher the cost.

Compared with other brands in the market, the price of Monport laser engraving machine is relatively cheap, ranging from hundreds to thousands dollars. Monport laser engraving machine is the most cost-effective, which is the main advantage of Monport brand. You can engrave the most materials at the lowest price!           

Another thing to consider when purchasing a laser engraving machine is maintenance costs. The amount of cleaning required for machine maintenance depends on the materials used. Sometimes mirrors or lenses need fine cleaning, and the machine may need to be realigned. Regular maintenance and cleaning help avoid wasting too much time and interrupting the company's production line. There is also after-sales service, which may incur labor and parts costs if necessary.           

 4. Laser source   

There are many types of laser sources on the market. From plasma, solid, CO2 to fiber lasers, many of their alternatives are used for specific purposes. For example, wood cutting is best performed using CO2 machines, while fiber laser will be the most feasible alternative for stainless steel, low carbon steel, acrylic, copper, brass and many other materials and precision cutting. 

Fiber laser and CO2 laser cutting machine are the most common types. They have their own advantages: 

CO2 laser engraving machine can perform laser processing on non-metallic materials such as bamboo, wood, crystal, ox horn, paper plate, plexiglass, marble, cloth, leather, rubber, plastic and so on. Clothing, embroidery, cloth toys, home decoration cloth, handbags, gloves, leather materials, leather cutting and surface carving in the toy industry. Precision cutting of non-metallic thin plates such as acrylic plate and medium density decorative plate in handicraft, model, advertising, decoration, electrical appliances and plastic industries.

CO2 laser engraving machine can not engrave metal, but fiber laser marking machine can mark on metal. Fiber laser marking machine is the most advanced laser marking equipment in the world. It has the characteristics of good beam quality, small volume, fast speed, long service life, flexible and convenient installation and maintenance free. Fiber laser, the latest and most reliable structure in the world, small size, low power consumption, no high voltage, no huge water cooling system (only about 300W), high beam quality, close to the ideal beam, USB interface output control, optical scanning galvanometer, high laser repetition rate, high speed and no distortion.

5.Space   

How much space do I have? Machine sizes vary greatly. From a small that can be placed on a table to as big as a factory machine. So before you decide to buy, please consider how much space you have. Think about what your needs are, because it's meaningless to buy huge machines you don't need. Then a smaller desktop size is a better choice.

For example, the Monport20W machine is a desktop model, which can be placed on a table.However the Monport 80W laser engraving machine is relatively large and may require a separate space for placement.   

If you have enough space to accommodate the laser engraving and cutting machine, always get more space, and you will soon become addicted to the machine and want to do some larger projects. You can first understand the size of the machine to be purchased, and then measure the space to install the machine. Don't believe the picture. When you really see it, the machine can be very big.           

*Make sure to get the size, length, width and height of the machine.

 6. Production Capacity(Power) 

It refers to the laser tube power. Laser tube is the core of laser machine. Typical laser power is 40W / 50W / 60W / 80W / 90W / 100W / 130W / 150W. It depends on the material you want to cut and the thickness of the material. In addition, it depends on the speed you want to cut. If you want to cut faster on materials of the same thickness, higher power will help you achieve this goal. Usually, small machines will only install smaller power tubes, because the laser tube must have a certain length to achieve a certain power. If it is too short, higher power cannot be achieved. If you are not sure how much laser power you need, you can tell the seller the name and thickness of the material, and they will recommend the appropriate one for you.

Here is an example showing the different cutting thicknesses of corresponding materials (paperboard) that can be cut by Monport laser engraving machines with different powers. The data sheet shows the relationship between cutting thickness and power of the laser engraver.

Relationship between cutting thickness and power:(Paperboard)

NOTE: Different manufacturer produces laser tube with different peak power and different length

 7. Replacement Parts 

Another factor to consider is whether replacement parts are easy to obtain when the laser engraving machine breaks down. No matter what type of machine you buy, it is still a machine and will break down one day.            

One day, you will have to replace some parts - no matter how carefully you maintain the machine. Therefore, it is very important to know whether the replacement parts of the laser engraving machine are easy to obtain, otherwise you will have to wait for months to obtain them.

8. Maintenance Difficulty 

This is a key factor to consider when buying a machine. You need to know how frequently the equipment needs to be maintained. You also need to check whether you can do it yourself or must hire technicians.             

Trying to understand whether the equipment is easy to repair or maintain is complex. It may even cause your business to shut down. If it is difficult, you may need the help of technicians, which will lead to additional costs. Therefore, look for equipment that is easy to repair and maintain. You may need to find blogs&#;5 Ways To Extend Your Monport Laser's Service Life  to learn how to maintain the engraving machine. 

9. Warranty 

Like any other electromechanical equipment, the laser engraving machine will not be used forever. They will break down one day. Sometimes, failure depends on how hard you push the machine. At other times, this is a manufacturing defect. In other cases, it's just a workplace accident that may have damaged something. 

Whatever the cause of the engraving machine failure, you need to ensure that the warranty or support guarantee is good enough to mitigate the impact on your finances and operations. When a failure occurs, you need to fix the problem quickly so that you can restart work with minimal interruption.  

 10. Support service 

Pay more attention to the support resources provided by suppliers to customers. Monport services include pre-sales consultation, after-sales service, technical support service and Q & A during the use of engraving machine. You can leave us a message on the website page if you have any questions before buying our products. If you have any questions after purchasing our products, you can contact the Monport customer support center by : Or call (+ 1) 424-432-.        

To buy a suitable laser engraving machine is to choose a system that can meet your current engraving needs, but it has enough capacity to meet your growing needs tomorrow. By balancing the laser engraving machine with the above factors, you are more likely to avoid the common buyer trap and obtain a machine suitable for the job.

If you are looking for more details, kindly visit Acrylic Co2 Laser Cutting Machine.

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