How To Buy a Laser -- Part II

So, now that you feel you have a good handle on what format size and what tube power you'll need, what else has to be purchased with your laser?

First, let's run down the list for a "Turn Key Package". When you purchase a laser, you'll also need to be sure that you have a computer, graphic software, an exhaust fan or filter and then any other application specific accessories.

Let's look at the computer. Most reasonably new computers these days have plenty of memory and graphics capability. The reason for this?? Computer Video Games!! Those things are memory hogs and to keep the computer from stalling in the midst of a good chase, the computer needs to be able to quickly process tons of graphic information. For that reason, most new computers will also do a good job of processing info within your graphic software program. Ask your laser sales rep for their suggested specs on a computer work station for their laser but this should not be a tough (or overly expensive) buy in this day and age. By the way, one easy-to-overlook area of a computer purchase is the monitor. Buy a good sized screen!! I'd say 19" or more. Yep, it'll cost more but your eyes will thank you every day.

As far as graphic software goes, find out whether you need proprietary software. If you do, then you're stuck and you need to buy what the rep tells you to buy. Many lasers these days are open architecture and will run nicely with most any software. Of course, you are going to be a Laser Professional so you don't want to drive your Million Dollar Company with 2-bit software. Use something proven like Corel Graphic Suite or the Adobe Creative Suite packages. We like Corel. It is pretty affordable but more important, it is plenty powerful when it comes to its ability to edit photos, logos, clipart, text, etc. Additionally you'll find a great deal of help when it comes to learning how to use Corel with your laser.

On now to the exhaust. Lasers burn things and when things burn they create smoke. I don't know about you but I don't want my 10 or 20 thousand dollar investment to be gunked up with residue from wood or plastic. Get a fan that removes the appropriate amount of air from your laser cabinet. If you have a vacuum table like Epilog does, the exhaust is important as it also provides the power for the suction. Now the question is, to vent to the outdoors or not? If you can and if you want to you'll use an exhaust fan, run some ducts (use the hard stuff, not the cheap plastic lines that collapse and stop air flow) from the laser to the fan and then from the fan to a vent or chimney in your work area. Have the distance you are moving the air be as short as you can make it. Lengthening the distance you are pulling/pushing the air lessens the effectiveness of your fan. When you get to your vent, put a flapper in the line somewhere to prevent air from blowing back in to the system from the outside when the fan is not on.

Don't want to exhaust to the outdoors? OK, use a filter. Filters today do a great job of evacuating the laser cabinets and absorbing odor and particulate from the laser cabinet. Down side of a filter? $$$$$$$$ They cost much more money to buy and more money still to maintain. You'll go through prefilters and filter cartridges that could cost you hundreds of dollars per year. Down Down side of fans? You're pulling the heat or air conditioned air out of your room and pumping it outside. Bottom line is that you must exhaust your laser and we recommend fans whenever possible. We'll gladly give you more info on either system on your request.

Now, on to accessories. This list will be different for the different manufacturers that you talk with. We sell Epilog and we feel that they do a great job of incorporating standard features so you're not constantly being upsold. Need Radiance Optics? They're in there on most models. Need a cutting grid? It's in there on most models? Need air assist? It's there on all models (although you will need to buy or supply an air pump). One accessory that we do offer as a separate purchase is a rotary attachment. If you need to engrave around a circumference, you'll need a rotary. Now, please understand that last sentence. If you have a flashlight and you just want to put a name down the side, run it as a flat item and life will be just fine thank you. But, if you need to around the outside of the handle then you'll need a rotary. Pens are almost always done as flat items. Mugs and glassware are almost always done with a rotary. Other accessories should be discussed with your sales rep. Many are sold only to accomplish very specific applications and you should only buy them if you really need them. This avoids the purchase of excessive numbers of large and expensive paperweights in your work room.

Finally, training. Yes, training! While some people can use Corel and run the laser well enough from day one, others need a bit of a jump start. If you need it, do not be proud, get it! You will only be a good engraver if you learn how to be one. We have been engravers since the mid 70s and I'll tell you that we only know what we know for one of two reasons - because someone taught us how to do something or because we figured out a way to do something. Almost every time the process was easier when we let someone help us learn a lesson. And, in many instances, even when there were fees for the instruction, it was probably cheaper to buy a lesson than it would have been to waste the time and spoil the products trying to figure things out ourselves.

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