Laser Cutter

[HilcrRWise]

Does anyone have a laser cutter in their school? We are looking in to getting one and would be interested in anyones comments, experiences, etc in using/supporting them and if there is anything I should be aware of. Please be sure to include the model of machine you use. Currently we are looking at the Techsoft and Denford models, does anyone have any alternatives that would be worthing looking in to aswell?

[3s-gtech]

I have a recommendation - avoid any of the 'cheap' Chinese ones that can't operate as printers. Absolute nightmare, ours has to interprate all cutting jobs through a proprietary piece of software. I'm sincerely hoping I can use Solustan Linkmotion to work around this, otherwise it's time to look at replacements. The Techsoft ones seem pretty good, but pricey!

[Oaktech]

we have a techsoft one, the predecessor to the A2+ and it's quite frankly outstanding. easy to use, quick-ish, powerful enough, cuts a wide range of materials (but not metal sadly)

(given i used to support one of these when i worked in industry)laser-large.jpg

[DaveP]

We have a laser cutter. Not sure of the make/model until I get back on-site tomorrow.

It is looked after by the Technology Technician. Since setting it up we haven't been called to help with problems.

I will supply more detail when I can.

[plexer]

We have had a versalaser vl200 for 5+ years and it's so simple to use never had a problem.

Ben

[rad]

We have a TechSoft one I think, its blue and cream. It is linked up to a laptop that has 2D design and serves as the only communication device to it. The Laser cutter is great and is used regualarly. If you want more info as to the exact model I can get it tomorrow. Ours is 3 years old and is maintained by the Tech Technician. I only got involved recently as we changed the laptop over, apart from that, its not normally a problem.

[Edu-IT]

We have one. It's red and grey. That's as much as I can tell you about it! If you want me to find out more then let me know.

[sonofsanta]

No idea what model we have offhand - DT look after it - but I know they use 2D design with it, and that it's brilliant and they love it. Just don't try and cut shiny things on it, one of the teachers has ruined more than one laser doing that!

[EvLPhenom]

We have a 180-290- Spirit 60W Laser cutter and tbh its great. Never had a problem with it until we swapped the computer it was connected to and that was fixed with an updated USB driver rather than the original parallel driver it was using. Although it is mainly looked after by the DT Technician. If I remember correctly it was purchased from Technology supplies and their tech support was very helpful when I couldn't find the updated driver.

Spirit 60W Laser Package - 180-290 | Technology Supplies Ltd

[Oaktech]

We have one. It's red and grey. That's as much as I can tell you about it! If you want me to find out more then let me know.

that'll be a denford VLS then!

versalaser-large-thumb.jpg

[DaveP]

I have our cutter details now:

Make: Universal Laser Systems

Model: PLS 660

Further information: It is blue [that is all I have: Sorry]

[TechMonkey]

We have one. It's red and grey. That's as much as I can tell you about it! If you want me to find out more then let me know.

No help but I read that as red and angry. I was trying to work out how you have an angry laser cutter and thought maybe you had a bad experience you wanted to share. Obviously I'm just projecting.

[brad82]

We have a lot of CAM kit in the technology department (the use of it is another rant all together though). We have a LaserPro Explorer II and it gets hammered by the Year 11s attempting to finish their GCSE final project in time.. Its an absolute headache to set up, but once its working Techsoft 2D Design (V2) and it work like an absolute treat!

We use it to do a lot of in-house engraving too, the vast majority of the door signs are done on our cutter and all staff have key fobs with their staff codes on which we did with the machine..

Plus I love the smell it makes (probably not good to be sniffing the fumes of it but it gets me through the day!)

[tomgrindle]

Ours is a Hobarts, dont know a model sorry. Good piece of kit. It operates as a printer and the designs are made and outputted using TechSoft 2D Design.

[frankq]

We have a Denford 3000 and we use Denford 2d laser design software with it. Denford came out and trained staff who were going to use it and are always available on the phone should we have a problem