Local Laser Availability

HeatSync Labs

We now have our own 100-watt laser! See the Laser Cutter page for more info.

ASU Tempe

We may have limited access to a cutter at ASU Tempe campus at the Arts Media and Engineering (AME) group

Epilog Helix with a 50w
24x18"
has a 3D etching mode--it varies the power of the laser based on gray value, so with a few passes, you can get really cool textures.
it can't really cut through any wood (MDF,hardwood, etc.) thicker than about 1/2 inch. With a couple passes, we were able to cut through 3/4" MDF, but the cut ends up being a little dirtier.

Special Computing

Also have had access to one through Special Computing's Bill Mahr

Buying a laser

From my research I have determined the following factors in buying a laser system:

reliability/support (generally an issue with the Chinese stuff)
laser power (determines what you can cut and how deeply)
bed size (how large a piece can you cut/engrave?)
options (does it have a suction table to keep items in place, air assist to blow debris out of way, does it come with a pc to run it?)
software/driver (does it have a *print* driver so you can print to it?, does it have decent software in english with support?)

The best info available on the net is on the consumer forums:

American Vendors

Our local Epilog rep is http://www.innovativecuttingsystems.com/

Epilog Laser Cutters

Price list as of 2/19/2010

Model	'Engraving Area	Power'	MSRP'	Sale'
ZING Laser 64 MGB RAM Ethernet & USB	16” x 12”	30 Watt	$12,900	$7,995
ZING Laser 64 MGB RAM Ethernet & USB	16” x 12”	40 Watt	$14,900	$9,250
ZING Laser 64 MGB RAM Ethernet & USB	24” x 12”	30 Watt	$15,400	$10,995
ZING Laser 64 MGB RAM Ethernet & USB	16” x 12”	40 Watt	$16,400	$11,995
ZING Laser 64 MGB RAM Ethernet & USB	16” x 12”	50 Watt	$18,400	$13,995
ZING Laser 64 MGB RAM Ethernet & USB	16” x 12”	60 Watt	$20,500	$15,995
“Mini” 18 64 MGB RAM Ethernet & USB	18” x 12”	30 Watt	$14,650	$9,995
“Mini” 18 64 MGB RAM Ethernet & USB	18” x 12”	40 Watt	$16,150	$11,495
“Mini” 24 64 MGB RAM Ethernet & USB	24” x 12”	30 Watt	$17,900	$13,995
“Mini” 24 64 MGB RAM Ethernet & USB	24” x 12”	40 Watt	$19,400	$14,995
“Mini” 24 64 MGB RAM Ethernet & USB	24” x 12”	50 Watt	$22,000	$16,495
“Mini” 24 64 MGB RAM Ethernet & USB	24” x 12”	60 Watt	$23,900	$18,495
Helix 24 64 MGB RAM Ethernet & USB	24” x 18”	30 Watt	$19,995	$15,995
Helix 24 64 MGB RAM Ethernet & USB	24” x 18”	40 Watt	$21,495	$17,495
Helix 24 64 MGB RAM Ethernet & USB	24” x 18”	50 Watt	$23,495	$18,995
Helix 24 64 MGB RAM Ethernet & USB	24” x 18”	60 Watt	$25,995	$21,995
Helix 24 64 MGB RAM Ethernet & USB	24” x 18”	75 Watt	$29,495	$25,995
Legend 36 EXT 64 MGB RAM Ethernet & USB	36” x 24”	30 Watt	$27,250	$23,250
Legend 36 EXT 64 MGB RAM Ethernet & USB	36” x 24”	40 Watt	$29,650	$25,650
Legend 36 EXT 64 MGB RAM Ethernet & USB	36” x 24”	50 Watt	$32,800	$27,995
Legend 36 EXT 64 MGB RAM Ethernet & USB	36” x 24”	60 Watt	$33,995	$29,995
Legend 36 EXT 64 MGB RAM Ethernet & USB	36” x 24”	75 Watt	$38,995	$34,995
Legend 36 EXT 64 MGB RAM Ethernet & USB	36” x 24”	120 Watt	$45,995	$41,995
Fiber Laser 64 MGB RAM Ethernet & USB	24” x 12”	10 Watt	$40,000	$28,995
Fiber Laser 64 MGB RAM Ethernet & USB	24” x 12”	20 Watt	$45,000	$32,995
Fiber Laser 64 MGB RAM Ethernet & USB	24” x 12”	30 Watt	$50,000	$37,995
Fiber Laser 64 MGB RAM Ethernet & USB	24” x 12”	50 Watt	$57,500	$45,995

Standard Features Include: Raster Engraving, Vector Cutting, Automatic Optimization, Servo Motors, Red Dot Pointer, All Purpose 2” Focus Lens,Variable Resolution to 1200 DPI, 32 Bit RISC Processing Ethernet or USB Connectivity, Vector Table (not included on Zing), Auto Focus Air Assist (Compressor Not Included), Vacuum Hold Down Table

Options:

Additional Lenses (1.5”, 2.5” or 4.0”) $350 Vector Pin Table (12 x 12) $295
Rotary Glass Attachment $1,150 Floor Stand (for mini’s & Fiber Laser) $595
Zing Rotary Glass Attachment $995 Dual Head $2,750*
Air Assist Compressor $300 Corel New Install Version $395
Vector Table (ZING 16x12) $320 Corel Upgrade Version $195
Vector Table (ZING 24x12) $370 3 Jaw Chuck Rotary $2,495
1.5 or 5.5 inch FiberMark Lens $575 Clamp Style Rotary $2,495
*Dual Head is available only on Legend 36 EXT models

Computer Minimum Recommendations: Vista, XP or 2000. Pentium microprocessor, Minimum 512 MB RAM, CD ROM drive, HP scanner (optional)

Versa Laser

http://www.ulsinc.com/ sells the Versa Laser product line locally

We toured with them and saw some great opportunities seeing as how all their engineering is done right here in Scottsdale.

Used Pricing

Current Refurbished Models Available:Prices are for Systems only and don’t include Laser Wattage choice (10 to 60 watts) or options.

Professional Series
- Warranty 6 months parts
- PLS 3.60 24 X 12 Platform Refurb Price $8,400 (New List Price $15,200, can Configure up to 60 watts)

Versalaser Line Warranty 6 months parts
- VLS 3.60 24 X 12 Platform Refurb Price $7,100 (New List Price $10,900, can Configure up to 60 watts)
- VLS 2.30 16 X 12 Desktop Refurb Price $4,050 (New List Price $6,850, can Configure up to 30 watts)
- VLS 3.50 24 X 12 Desktop Refurb Price $5,800 (New List Price $8,600, can Configure up to 50 watts)

Currently we have no refurbished laser cartridges available for the refrub systems, however we will

Give you a discounted price on a new Laser Cartridge when adding to a refurbished unit. New Laser Cartridges have a full Two Year Warranty.

New UL Laser Cartridges Prices:
- 25 watt -- $3,950
- 30 watt -- $4,800
- 40 watt -- $6,400
- 50 watt -- $8,000
- 60 watt -- $9,600

New Pricing

vls350
- 12x24x4
- 50w laser (10-50w range)
- ($12,000 - $17,000 list) -- dealers can finagle

vls360
- 12x24x9
- 60w Laser (10-60w range)
- $14,000 - $20,000

Chinese Vendors

Chinese lasers are often found on ebay shipped for as low as ~$1500. I'm finding a lot of what youd expect when important:

Typical Q/A issues
Poor Support
Poor software
Laser tubes have poor q/a, might be good or bad, may or may not reach expected output
Not sealed well (issue for noxious fume control)

However, there are some companies in the US who have begun importing and supporting lasers

===Rabbit Laser Mexico===

http://www.rabbitlaser.com.mx/ resseler in Mexico. They sell the next models.. HX-40B HX-3040 HX-4060SE HX-6090SE HX-1290SE They participate on the Techzone CNC forums and I can only find posts with people recommending them. They claim to test and support each unit.All their machines include a Dell PC for operation.

Rabbit Laser Cutters USA

This guy is reselling [Rabbit Laser cutters http://www.hxlaser.com/] which might be worth investigating. They participate on the Techzone CNC forums and I can only find posts with people recommending them. They claim to test and support each unit. All their machines include a Dell PC for operation Apparently they, along with most chinese lasers, ship with Lasercut 5.3, which is produced by Leetro http://www.leetro.com/english/sale/23.html Seems like most people are using Corel along with Lasercut 5.3. Sadly it looks to be windows only

Rabbit RL-40-40A

40W (also avail in 60)
Call to quote
200mm x 150mm

Control system: micro controller
Buffer capacity: 1MB
Drive type: step motor
Engraving size: 200mm x 150mm
Engraving speed: 10mm/s
Laser tube type: CO2 sealed glass
Laser power: 40W
Engraving accuracy: 0.025mm
Control panel: English
Power AC: 110 - 220V / 50 - 60Hz
Net Weight: 20kg

Rabbit RL_6040

40W $5900 + shipping (750lbs OH to AZ)
60W $6400 + shipping (750lbs OH to AZ)
200mm x 150mm

Laser-type : Sealed CO2 laser tube
Laser power: 40W (special order for 60W)
Machine Enclosure dimensions: 1170Tall x 800Deep x 1100Wide mm
Machine Enclosure dimensions: 46Tall x 31.5Deep x 43.5Wide inch
Crated weight with accessories: ~750 pounds
Engraving area: 23.62 x 15.74 inch (600 x 400 mm)
Modified Engraving area: 25.00 x 17.13 inch (635 x 435mm)
Motorized Worktable with about 10 inches of usable height
Engraving speed: 0-60,000mm/min
Max cutting speed: 0-36,000mm/min
Laser output control: 1-100% software setting
Location precision: less than 0.01mm
Highest scanning precision: 50-1000DPI
Working voltage: 110VAC or 220VAC+-10%, 50-60Hz
Operating temperature: 0-45 degree
Operating humidity: 5- 95% non condensing
Minimum shaping character: English 1.0 x 1.0mm
Graphic format supported: BMP, JPG, GIF, HPGL, NC, PLT, DST, DXF, and AI
Driving system: micro divided stepper
Cooling mode: water-cooling and protection system
Auxiliary equipments : Exhaust-fans, air-exhaust pipe
Controlling software : LaserCut 5.3 and DSP control system.
Compatible Software : TAJIMA , CorelDraw, AutoCAD, Photoshop
Color separation: yes

Rabbit RL-60-9060

60 watt (also avail in 80)
$7800 + shipping (950lbs OH to AZ)
900 x 600 mm

Sealed 10.6um CO2 glass laser tube w/ water-cooling
Laser power: 60W (also available in 80 watts)
Machine Enclosure dimensions: 1160Tall x 1000Deep x 1410Wide mm
Machine Enclosure dimensions: 45.5Tall x 39.5Deep x 55.5Wide inch
Crated weighted with accessories: ~950 pounds
Engraving area: 900 x600mm
Motorized Worktable with about 10 inches of usable height
Max engraving speed: 0-60,000mm/min
Max cutting speed: 0-36,000mm/min
Laser output control: 1-100% software setting
Location precision: less than 0.01mm
Highest scanning precision: 50-1000DPI
Operating temperature: 0 - 45C
Operating humidity: 5- 95% non-condensing
Minimum shaping character: English 1.0 x 1.0mm
Graphic format supported: BMP, PLT, DST, DXF, and AI
Driving system: stepper motor and drives
Cooling mode: water-cooling and protection system
Auxiliary equipments : Exhaust-fans, air-exhaust pipe
Controlling software : DSP control system via USB connection.
Compatible Software : TAJIMA , CorelDraw, AutoCAD, Photoshop
Multi-Layer Color separation: yes

80W machines

They have larger models 80W and above but are probably not what we are looking for

Other Rabbit vendors

Ebay

Of note I've found these lasers on ebay as well.. I think. You never know whats changed or different but for instance what looks like the Rabbit RL-40-40A on rabbit laser usa is up on ebay for ~1.5k without software http://cgi.ebay.com/New-40W-USB-CO2-Laser-Engraver-Cutter-8-2-x-8-CE-/280530242583?cmd=ViewItem&pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item4150e7cc17#ht_2422wt_1049

Legacy

http://www.legacylasers.com/ has been around for some time, though used to be named something else and is reselling Rabbits as well I guess. Ray Scott from Rabbit USA claims to be the official vendor, so I'm not sure whats up there. It seems like these guys while they may or may not test each unit, go ahead and throw in an extra laser tube and

500

23.6 x 15.7 " Work Table
40W Laser Tube
Spare 40W Laser Tube
Water Chiller/Circulator
Motorized Work Table up to 10"
Aluminum Alloy or Honeycomb Work Table
Air Assist & Compressor
Exhaust System
Easy-to-use Software
2 Year Warranty
On-Site Engraver Training and Setup Available
$7000

600

23.6 x 15.7 " Work Table
40W Laser Tube
Spare 40W Laser Tube
Water Chiller/Circulator
Motorized Work Table up to 11"
Aluminum Alloy or Honeycomb Work Table
Air Assist & Compressor
Exhaust System
Easy-to-use Software
1 Year Warranty
On-Site Engraver Training and Setup Available
$6500

700

26.7 x 15.7 " Work Table
40W Laser Tube
Spare 40W Laser Tube
Water Chiller/Circulator
Motorized Work Table up to 10"
Aluminum Alloy or Honeycomb Work Table
Air Assist & Compressor
Exhaust System
Easy-to-use Software
2 Year Warranty
On-Site Engraver Training and Setup Available
$7500

800

35.3 x 23.6 " Work Table
60W Laser Tube
Spare 60W Laser Tube
Water Chiller/Circulator
Motorized Work Table up to 10"
Aluminum Alloy or Honeycomb Work Table
Air Assist & Compressor
Exhaust System
Easy-to-use Software
2Year Warranty
On-Site Engraver Training and Setup Available
$8000

900

35.3 x 23.6 " Work Table
60W Laser Tube
Spare 60W Laser Tube
Water Chiller/Circulator
Motorized Work Table up to 11"
Aluminum Alloy or Honeycomb Work Table
Air Assist & Compressor
Exhaust System
Easy-to-use Software
1 Year Warranty
On-Site Engraver Training and Setup Available

WK Lasers

WK lasers http://www.wklaser.com/ has a US vendor at http://www.brightstarlasers.com/ I don't currently have a lot of info on these guys.

LC6090 Features:

80 watt
~$8000 shipped
900 x 600 mm (36"x24")
Whole machine size: 1,360 x 1010x 1070mm
Cutting speed: 0 - 24,000mm/min
Resetting positioning accuracy: ±0.1mm
Power supply: AC 110 - 220V ±10%, 50 - 60Hz
Gross power: <1,000W
Operating temperature: 0 - 45°C
Operating humidity: 8 - 95%
Minimum shaping character: English 1 x 1mm
Graphic format supported: BMP, HPGL, PLT, DST, DXP, and AI
Driving system: stepper
Cooling mode: water-cooling and protection system
Auxiliary equipments :Exhaust-fans, air-exhaust pipe
Controlling software : DSP control system.
Compatible software: CorelDraw AutoCAD Photoshop
Laser- type: Sealed CO2 laser tube
Net Weight:220KG

LG500s Features:

20" x 12" Work Table Area
Power up/down Engraving Table (16" material thickness)
Laser: C02 - 60 watt TEM00
Water Chiller Included
50mm (2") ZnSe Coated Focus Lens & Mirrors
Air Assist w/ Compressor Included
Honeycomb Cutting Table Insert Included
Cabinet Smoke Suction Vacuum Included
Cylindrical Engraving Attachment Included
Easy-to-use Software
Color-based Laser Power Settings
Vector, Raster & Mixed Mode Operation
Input Files: BMP, HPGL, PLT, DST, DXP, DXF, DWG, AI
Micro-Stepper Drive System
40"/Sec. Engraving Speed
50-1000dpi Resolution Raster Engraving
0.0004" Position Repeatablility
Overall Machine Dimensions: 52" x 28" x 43"
Machine Weight: 704 lbs.
Power Requirements: 110v AC, 1-ph, 1,000w max.
Price As Shown Above: $10,950 (LG500s-60)

LG500tt Features:

20" x 12" Work Table Area
Laser: C02 - 60 watt TEM00
50mm (2") ZnSe Coated Focus Lens & Mirrors
Air Assist w/ Compressor Included
Cabinet Smoke Suction Vacuum Included
Easy-to-use Software
Color-based Laser Power Settings
Vector, Raster & Mixed Mode Operation
Input Files: BMP, HPGL, PLT, DST, DXP, DXF, DWG, CDR, AI
Micro-Stepper Drive System
36"/Sec. Engraving Speed
50-1000dpi Resolution Raster Engraving
0.0004" Position Repeatablility
Overall Machine Dimensions: 52" x 26" x 18"
Machine Weight: 253 lbs.
Power Requirements: 110v AC, 1-ph, 1,000w max.
Price As Shown Above: $7,950* (LG500tt-60)

LG3040tt

16" x 12" Work Table Area
Laser: C02 - 40 watt TEM00
50mm (2") ZnSe Coated Focus Lens & Mirrors
Air Assist w/ Compressor Included
Cabinet Smoke Suction Vacuum Included
Easy-to-use Software
Color-based Laser Power Settings
Vector, Raster & Mixed Mode Operation
Input Files: BMP, HPGL, PLT, DST, DXP, DXF, DWG, AI
Micro-Stepper Drive System
36"/Sec. Engraving Speed
50-1000dpi Resolution Raster Engraving
0.0004" Position Repeatablility
Overall Machine Dimensions: 46" x 28" x 18"
Machine Weight: 253 lbs.
Power Requirements: 110v AC, 1-ph, 1,000w max.
Price As Shown Above: $6,950 (LG3040tt-40)

MBKP

I have no info on these guys yet http://www.mbkpinternational.com/laser_engravers.htm

ArtSign JSM3040U Desktop Laser Engraver/Cutter

$5,999.95 - $2,999.00
50 Watt, CO2 laser engraver w/ USB connection, laser pointer, honeycomb table & more.

ArtSign JSM3060U Desktop Laser Engraver/Cutter

$6,999.95 - $3,499.00
50 Watt, CO2 laser engraver w/ USB connection, laser pointer, large honeycomb table & more.

====ArtSign JSM3060H Laser Engraver/Cutter====

$10,999.95 - $5,999.00
60 Watt Engraver. Engrave from CorelDraw, large engraving area, auto focus & much more.

====ArtSign JSM3060HR Laser Engraver/Cutter====

$12,999.95 - $6,999.00
60 Watt. Windows 7 & CorelDraw Compatible, large engraving area, auto focus & much more.

Laser Cutter Availability

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