Frequently Asked Questions
How to use a laser machine
How laser cutting works
Laser cutting is a type of thermal separation process. The laser beam hits the surface of the material and heats it so strongly that it melts or completely vaporizes. Once the laser beam has completely penetrated the material at one point, the actual cutting process begins. The laser system follows the selected geometry and separates the material in the process. Depending on the application, the use of process gases can positively influence the results.
How does a laser work?
The term “laser” stands for “Light Amplification by Stimulated Emission of Radiation,” which is, in a nutshell, how lasers work. Light particles (called photons) are excited with current causing them to emit energy in the form of light.
This light forms the laser beam.
What software can I use to create design files for laser material processing?
TRAXX systems will process design files printed from a wide variety of programs such as: Adobe® Illustrator®, CorelDRAW®, SOLIDWORKS, and AutoCAD®.
Is it okay to leave a running laser system unattended?
TRAXX strongly recommends constant supervision of a laser system during operation: an operator should always remain within visual range of the process. This is vitally important to reduce the potential for fire when processing materials with a laser.
What are typical preventive maintenance steps?
Each laser system consists of components that will wear naturally during normal operation. Inspection and the eventual replacement of these components is important to preserve the high quality of laser material processing one comes to expect from a TRAXX laser system.
Typical preventative maintenance includes:
- Every 1 to 2 years: Replace the timing belts, bearings, idler and drive gear for the X-axis motion system.
- Every 2 to 3 years: Replace the belts, bearings, idlers and drive gears on the Y-axis motion system.
While this is a general guide to preventative maintenance, there are many factors that can increase or decrease the time between preventative maintenance events such as: quality of exhaust system, material processed, duration of operation and routine maintenance (cleaning) performed.
Please contact the TRAXX technical department for more information and a personalized maintenance schedule.
What materials can our lasers engrave or cut?
Can a TRAXX laser mark metals?
Yes. You can label different types of metal with a TRAXX laser machine. The laser systems with a fiber laser source (FM series) are ideal for engraving most common types of metals such as gold, silver, stainless steel, aluminium, etc.
What materials can a laser engrave, cut and mark?
| Material | Cut | Engrave | Mark | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CO2 | Fiber | CO2 | Fiber | CO2 | Fiber | |
Metal | ||||||
| Αluminium | ||||||
| Aluminium, anodized | ||||||
| Chromium | ||||||
| Precious metals | ||||||
| Metal foils up to 0,5mm | ||||||
| Stainless Steel | ||||||
| Metal, painted | ||||||
| Brass | ||||||
| Copper | ||||||
| Titanium | ||||||
Plastic | ||||||
| ABS | ||||||
| Acrylic/PMMA (Plexiglas ®) | ||||||
| Rubber | ||||||
| Polyamide (PA) | ||||||
| Polybutylene terephthalate (PBT) | ||||||
| Polycarbonate (PC) up to 0.5mm | ||||||
| Polyethylene (PE) | ||||||
| Polyester (PES) | ||||||
| Polyethylene terephthalate (PET) | ||||||
| Polyimide (PI) | ||||||
| Polyoxymethylene (POM) -i.e. Delrin® | ||||||
| Polypropylene (PP) | ||||||
| Polyphenylene sulfide (PPS) | ||||||
| Polystyrene (PS) | ||||||
| Polyurethane (PUR) | ||||||
| Foam (PVC free) | ||||||
Miscellaneous | ||||||
| Wood | ||||||
| Glass | ||||||
| Mirror | ||||||
| Stone | ||||||
| Paper (white) | ||||||
| Paper (colored) | ||||||
| Food | ||||||
| Leather | ||||||
| Fabric | ||||||
| Ceramics | ||||||
| Cardboard | ||||||
| Cork | ||||||
Which materials are not suitable for laser cutting and engraving?
There are some materials you should not engrave or cut with a laser because of their chemical make-up. Processing these materials creates dangerous gases and/or dust.
These materials include:
- Leather and artificial leather that contains chromium (VI)
- Carbon fibers (Carbon)
- Polyvinyl chloride (PVC)
- Polyvinyl butyrale (PVB)
- Polytetrafluoroethylenes (PTFE /Teflon)
- Beryllium oxide
- Any materials that contain halogens (fluorine, chlorine, bromine, iodine and astatine), epoxy or phenolic resins.
Special care should be taken with the following materials:
- Manganese
- Chromium
- Nickel
- Cobalt
- Copper
- Lead
Materials with flame-retardants
Be especially careful when processing “flame-retardant” materials because they often include of bromine. For flame-retardant materials, it is highly recommended to ask the manufacturer about the exact ingredients of the material.
How to choose the right laser machine
What is the maximum workpiece height for TRAXX laser machines?
The tallest item you can process on a given laser machine will depend on the “maximum workpiece height”. It is based on the focus point of the laser beam below the laser head and the distance between the working table. To determine the position of the focus point will depend on the lens used.
For our standard configurations see below the max. workpiece height for each TRAXX laser system
| Laser system | Laser type | Lens (inches / type) | Max. workpiece height |
|---|---|---|---|
| eco60 | CO2 | 2.0" | 200 mm |
| eco80 | CO2 | 2.0" | 200 mm |
| eco100 | CO2 | 2.5" | 450 mm |
| eco130 | CO2 | 2.5" | 450 mm |
| FM20 | Fiber | ||
| FM30 | Fiber | ||
| FM50 | Fiber | ||
| TRX40 | CO2 | ||
| TRX100 | CO2 |
What is the right machine size for me?
That really depends on what you need the laser machine for.
There are some aspects you should consider before investing into a laser machine:
- Which materials do you want to process?
- How large are your workpieces?
- How do you want to use your laser and how much laser power do you need?
- Do you need 24/7 machine reliability and after sales support?
What is the difference between CO2 lasers and fiber lasers?
CO₂ lasers (gas lasers)
CO2 laser are gas lasers that are based on a carbon dioxide gas mixture, which is stimulated electrically. With a wavelength of 10.6 micrometers, they are mainly suited for working on non-metallic materials and on most plastics. CO2 lasers have a relatively high efficiency and feature a very good beam quality. They are therefore the most widely used laser types.
Suited for the following materials: Wood, acrylic, glass, paper, textiles, plastics, foils & films, leather, stone
The following laser series include a CO2 laser source: eco80, eco100, eco130, TRX40, TRX100
Fiber lasers
Fiber lasers belong to the solid state laser group. They generate a laser beam by means of the so-called seed laser and amplify it in specially designed glass fibers, which are supplied with energy via pump diodes. With a wavelength of 1.064 micrometers, fiber lasers produce an extremely small focal diameter; as a result their intensity is up to 100 times higher than that of CO2 lasers with the same emitted average power.
Fiber lasers are optimally suited for metal marking by way of annealing, for metal engraving, and for high-contrast plastic markings. Fiber lasers are generally maintenance-free and feature a long service life of at least 25,000 laser hours.
Suited for the following materials: Metals, coated metals, plastics
The following laser series include a fiber laser source: FM20, FM30, FM50
Buying a laser machine
How to choose the right laser machine? What should I look for when buying a laser?
This depends a lot on what you intend to do with the laser machine.
There are some aspects you should consider before investing into a laser machine:
- Which materials do you want to process?
- How large are your workpieces?
- How you want to use your laser and for this how much laser power do you need?
- Do you need 24/7 machine reliability?
A comparison of laser engraving and mechanical engraving
Engraving materials can be done through various methods, but mechanical engraving and laser engraving are the most commonly used. Each technology has its own unique advantages. For instance, laser engraving is highly precise and produces intricate details, while mechanical engraving is known for its relief effect. If you want to know more about the differences between these two methods, read on for a comparison of their strengths and weaknesses.
Mechanical engraving
During the mechanical engraving process, a milling cutter is used to remove the surface of a clamped workpiece. As the milling cutter rotates, it moves over the surface of the material, creating letters or patterns. This method can also be used to engrave plastic layered materials. However, metal surfaces are particularly suitable for mechanical engraving because the deep machined lettering or decorations can be colored to increase the contrast, providing a clear and distinct appearance.
Advantages of mechanical engraving
- Deep engraving possible with metals.
- Metals can also be drilled and cut.
Disadvantages of mechanical engraving.
Mechanical engraving has certain limitations, including:
- Limited level of detail: Processing small details can be challenging.
- Wear and tear: The milling head can wear down and will need to be changed regularly.
- Clamping required: Workpieces need to be clamped, which can be time-consuming and a hindrance in production for large series.
- Unsuitability for some materials: Mechanical engraving is not suitable for fine engraving or marking on paper or leather. Additionally, roughening the surface of acrylic is not possible through mechanical engraving.
Laser engraving
A laser engraving machine directs a beam of light onto the surface of a workpiece by reflecting it off mirrors and lenses. The beam glides over the surface with the help of an axis system. Depending on the length of exposure, the laser beam’s intense heat can mark, burn, or vaporize the surface of the workpiece, creating an engraving.
Advantages of laser engraving
Laser engraving has several advantages, including:
- Versatility: It is suitable for a wide range of materials, such as wood, glass, textiles, paper, metal, plastics, and more.
- Non-contact processing: The material does not need to be clamped, making the process faster and more efficient.
- No tool wear: Unlike mechanical engraving, laser engraving does not involve any physical contact, so there is no tool wear or damage to the workpiece.
- High precision: Laser engraving provides excellent accuracy and precision, making it ideal for creating intricate designs and fine details.
- Cost-effective: It is an economical choice for producing both individual pieces and large series.
What's the price of a TRAXX laser machine?
There are many factors that influence the price of a laser machine.
Configuration and equipment determine the price, such as:
- Lase type. What to you need to process?
- Laser power. What is the required production quantity?
- Work area. Hoe big are your workpieces?
- Do you need more processing tables? (eg honeycomb, knife table, vacuum table, etc.)
- Do you need a filtration system?
- Do you need a rotary attachment to egrave round, cylindrical or conical object?
- What lens type do you need? Different lenses are required depending on the thickness of the material or desired engraving accuracy.
If you are looking for a laser machine then give us a call at +30 22990 49124 and we will be happy to give you a recommendation and our quote for your next laser machine.
Leasing, installment payments, cash payment, etc. What financing options are available?
Investing in a laser is typically a carefully considered decision. To help make the process easier, we offer financing options with various payment models for your new laser machine. Discover more about leasing and payment plans below.
Leasing has several benefits, such as:
Tax advantages: Leasing payments are fully tax-deductible as a business expense.
Balance sheet neutrality: Leased items do not affect your capital asset ratio or debt.
Planning security: The lease payments and contract duration are predetermined at the time of purchase.
The most significant advantage of leasing, however, is that you require little or no equity to purchase the laser. This allows you to start using the laser right away and generate revenue, with the laser system essentially paying for itself over time.
Lease payment options for a TRAXX laser:
For a minimal amount, you can lease a compact TRAXX laser machine. At just EUR 10.00 per day or EUR 300.00 per month, you can expand your business and offer new products and services with the help of a laser.
By selling just three engraved trophy cups, three company name plates, and three glass engravings in one month, you can cover your monthly leasing cost for the machine.
Don’t hesitate to contact us for more information regarding our payment models. We would be pleased to arrange an individual financing plan that suits your needs.
Is there available inventory?
All machines are build according to customer’s requirements and specifications.
However there are several machines produced that are either slightly used or are demo units used at exhibitions or at one of our showrooms.
Feel free to contact us to give you a list of available inventory and price options.
What is the power consumption of a laser machine?
Before purchasing a laser, customers often wonder about its power consumption. It can be difficult to estimate how much the operation of a laser will affect their electricity bill. However, in practice, the power requirement of a laser is often less than that of a fan heater or an air conditioning system. The power consumption of lasers varies greatly and depends on several factors, including laser power (watts) and usage time. Here are the most important influencing factors for the power consumption of a laser, as well as an example of power consumption in kilowatt hours.
Factors that influence power consumption:
Actual working time
This is the amount of time the laser takes to perform an engraving or cutting process. During this time, TRAXX lasers are on standby and only require minimal power thanks to their energy-saving function.
Laser power
The laser has a maximum power, which varies depending on the machine. In addition, the maximum laser power is only used for a sub-range of all laser jobs.
Peripheral equipment
Using an exhaust system or a cooling unit (required for some lasers) also directly affects power consumption.
Let’s see a specific example for the power consumption of a laser
In order to provide you with a concrete estimate of power usage, consider the following scenario:
- An eco80 laser machine with 80 watts laser power
- An average effective working time of 2 hours per day, of which 50% is spent with maximum laser power (80 watts) and 50% with half laser power (40 watts).
Based on this, the machine’s power consumption is approximately 50 kWh per month, equivalent to the energy consumption of two office PCs!
Can I have a demonstration?
Certainly. We would be delighted to arrange a demonstration of our laser machines in one of our showrooms and answer all your questions and test your materials on our lasers with no obligation on your part.
To ensure that we identify the best laser for your needs, we will initially request information on your specific application, the materials you intend to use, and the level and frequency of your production. Based on this information, we will evaluate your requirements and recommend a system from our extensive product range that will satisfy your needs.