Lasercutter recomendations

[Chris_Cook]

Does anyone have any good recommendations for large(ish) laser cutters for schools?

 

We are looking at replacing out aging GCC Mercury II after many years of driver issues and now the laser tube needing re-gassing. Hardware wise its been good though.

 

Ideally I'd want something that works with more than just windows (we are moving 1 to 1 with chromebooks as much as possible). I'm not sure if that's a big ask.

 

Windows 11 compatibility is something we would need.

[Oaktech]

You could do worse than look at the offerings from TechSoft

 

https://www.techsoft.co.uk/products/laser-cutting

[pete]

In addition to Techsoft, Epilog are decent too: https://www.epiloglaser.com/en-uk/laser-machines/fusion-maker-laser-cutter-engraver/

[Aprice]

There are two main sorts of laser machines, those with glass tubes and those with metal (RF Tubes)

 

RF Machines are typically a lot more expensive but usually produce a better engraving, usually have a longer lifespan than the glass tubes and can be re-gassed.

 

For light usage, a Glowforge might work and would likely support your chrome devices as it's all web based.

 

I've always found the machines that use printer drivers are much easier to use than those that require intermediary software like LaserCut 5.3.

 

Techsoft have usually been pretty good over the years with support so I wouldn't hesitate to recommend them. Also had a very good experience with Gravotech machines.

[PotNoodleTech]

What' your budget? If it's under £5000 then your limited to the chinese lasers (and the manufacturers that resell chinese lasers like Boss Laser etc).

 

If it's over £5000 then look at Universal, Trotec, Epilog for more professional laser engraving/cutting.

 

I personally am a Universal fan, I have a VLS3.5 at home - bombproof hardware and good driver software (you could literally engrave by opening notepad typing something in and clicking file>print).

 

Good luck finding anything that works on chromebooks.

[Jawloms]

For £5.5k we got;

 

1.00 LS6090 LS6090 PRO Laser cutting & engraving machine 5,448.00 5,448.00

1.00 609060W LS6090 60w Laser tube (80w peak) 0.00 0.00

1.00 EFD Exhaust fan & ducting (to vent to atmosphere) 0.00 0.00

1.00 AAC Free standing air assist diaphragm compressor 0.00 0.00

1.00 LTS Lifetime e mail and telephone technical support 0.00 0.00

1.00 RDS Visible red dot guide / positioning laser 0.00 0.00

1.00 LCS Lasercut 5.3 software 0.00 0.00

1.00 WARRONS 1 year ONSITE warranty (excludes consumable

parts)

0.00 0.00

1.00 CW5200 CW5200 water chiller unit 0.00 0.00

1.00 INSTRA Installation & Training 0.00 0.00

1.00 DELA Delivery / Mileage 0.00 0.00

 

And have been very happy with it, but that was three years ago. hpclaser.co.uk