O/T Laser marking

[chris m]

Good morning

 

I am in the market for another laser marking machine and I'm looking for input. We currently have a Trumpf Vectormark system which has been running well for about 6.5 years, but the system was serious $$, has much more capability than I need, and was SERIOUS $$. I'm looking for a more 'budget' [like $50K] system that I can deploy on the factory floor for some simple marking tasks. Anyone out there using this type of equipment? Your feedback is much appreciated.

 

C

[Kannon]

I used to have the Legend series but see that they came out with one that looks more for what your looking for. epilog

 

might want to check it out... with our laser we had good service, only problem being the life of the laser tube..I am not sure but this seems to land in the price range and maybe worth checking into.

[Don S at Barefoot CNC South]

Try this: NWL Marking Machine

 

We have one real nice and real good price

[Don S at Barefoot CNC South]

Link: web page

[Don S at Barefoot CNC South]

Better link: web page

[chris m]

I have spoken with the local Epilog guy and they are running some samples for me. I'm not in love with the flying optics but I'm glad to hear from somebody who has one.

 

C

[chris m]

Thanks, Don, I'll look into that; any idea what you paid for yours?

[Don S at Barefoot CNC South]

Chris we got ours in 05 for about 40k

that was with laptop and rotary head and software that is windows base and very easy to use. You can save all your programs to use at a latter date and fixture to do multiple parts as well, if you need more info email me.

[Kannon]

3 reader strips..

1 optic lense

2 x axis motors..

1 laser charge

in a 2 yr time running the machine average of 5 hrs a day.

 

Support was very good, and parts were there the following day.

Dont go with the auto focus unless the piece is flat...I wouldnt waste my time with it. If it misses the piece with the auto z focus probe it will ram the piece up into the arm and knocking it out of wack. I can fix pretty well anything on them cause I had to do my share of work on it.

Dont have them send you samples..bring them out, have them set one up and show you how they do it. And they should be willing cause they did that for us. Main thing if its not the yag is the life of the laser..recharging the laser tube gets spendy. The tube life has a certain amount of hours they claim...just double check cause I believe that is figuring the machine running or NOT. I thought is was burn time..its the total life of the tube. You lookin at just metal marking Chris or heading into cutting plastic and acrylic?

We had alot of problems up front with our laser, but they made sure everything was ok and took care of us well. Tell em to get a toll free number too...nothings worse then waiting for a service tech. knowing your paying for you waiting.

I brought this brand up cause I seen they had one made for the metal marking now...it used to be the co2 laser needed a spray applied called Cermark..if thats the only way they can mark the metal I would look elsewhere.(Pain in the butt)

good luck

[Kannon]

After seeing Dons reply..

I would aim his way more then the epilog.

[chris m]

Thanks for the info guys; keep it coming.

 

We're looking at marking ferrous metals only at this time so no CO2 lasers for us.

 

C

[Don S at Barefoot CNC South]

Its not a CO2 laser Chris 2 years now no problems use it all day every day.

[Don S at Barefoot CNC South]

We mark all types of metal and it will mark glass, plastic as well. Marking quality is excellent, lots of control including size darkness, it can mark jpeg, gif files as well.

[chris m]

Don, I saw that yours is a YAG; just answering a point by Kannon. I'm going to put a request in with NWL that they contact me.

[Kannon]

Don...

you have any problems with yours?

how often you running it? I seen everything is overseas with one distributor here in the states.. just curious about parts and service.

That name of that company reminds me of the company that had the francise for lasering images inside of the crystal cubes.

just curious how well they took care of ya..and what problems if any you had with it..

[Kannon]

come on Don....whatareya doing...fixing the laser?

[Don S at Barefoot CNC South]

Kannon look up I told ya ^

[Mater]

quote:

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Kannon look up I told ya ^

---

that would require him to read again

[Kannon]

Sorry Don,,,

might take a while but I will go back and see if I can find were you answered my questions.

Get back to ya round dinner time..