5 Questions to Ask Before Buying a Laser Cutting Machine
A good laser cutting machine can perform jobs that are impossible otherwise. Although it was once used almost exclusively for large industrial manufacturers, it is increasingly seeing use in schools and small businesses. Depending on what you’re using it for, it could be one of the best investments you could make. However, there are a few things a person should know before buying. With that in mind, let’s take a look at five questions you should ask before buying a laser cutting machine.
What Will You Be Using It For?: Before you buy a laser cutter, you really need to think about how you’ll be using it. What material will you need to cut? Wood, plastic, metal, and other materials all have different requirements to consider. You also want to ask why you need it. Is it going to be used in a teaching environment, or do you need it for your business? Having a strong idea of how the laser cutter will be used will make the following questions easier to answer. Regardless of your needs, a Mitsubishi laser is an amazing product that can handle any job.
What Size Bed Should You Buy?: Choosing the right size bed is extremely important. Buying a larger size bed will give you the ability to do more jobs at once. It will also allow you to cut larger pieces of metal. However, you also have to consider whether you have enough space to accommodate a large bed. The best thing to do is buy the largest bed you can realistically contain as this will give you the most options to work with.
How Much Power Do You Need?: The strength of your laser will be one of the most important considerations when buying a laser cutter. This will affect both the material you can cut and how fast you can cut it. Keep in mind that a higher wattage means a more powerful laser. Again, this largely depends on what you’ll be using the laser for. You may not necessarily need the most powerful laser you can find. It’s best to find a decently powerful laser for the material you’ll be using. You always have the option of upgrading to a higher wattage later.
What Kind of Training Do You Require?: Of course, owning a laser cutting machine won’t do you any good if you don’t know how to use it. Fortunately, most suppliers offer training classes that will get you going in no time. Although it may seem intimidating at first glance, a laser cutting machine is actually fairly simple to operate. It’s only a matter of following step by step instructions.
What Safety Concerns Should I Know?: Laser cutters are actually very safe once you know how to use them. As long as you use some common sense, you should never have an issue. Of course, you never want to leave your machine unattended, and you should always keep your workplace clean and free of debris. You should also never use the cutter to cut PVC, as this can release toxic fumes. As long as you follow these simple rules, you’ll be able to work safely without any trouble.