How to Choose the Right Laser for Your Existing Equipment

In our, we discussed the importance of purchasing a laser that enhances your customer experience and adds value to your business. We also discussed important considerations to take before purchasing your laser to achieve a return on your investment quickly. While these are all important factors to consider, it’s also critical to select a laser that compliments the equipment currently installed on your shop floor.

Below are some questions to ask yourself as you look to add a laser that compliments your organization’s existing equipment.

How does it improve your workflow?

The industrial laser market has seen a massive amount of growth in the last few years. Those looking to add a laser as a value-add service should look for a laser that will allow them to improve workflows in ways that their existing equipment has yet to do.

Many organizations want to add laser capabilities to their list of services but haven’t made the leap to bring a machine in-house. For example, some organizations will often outsource laser services to shops with laser capability and then ship their customers’ products out to an offshore team to complete the final assembly or manufacturing. While you can do your best to guide your laser supplier and offshore team, there is always a possibility that you will lose control of the project, leading you toward a failed outsourcing relationship and unhappy customers.

Adding a laser in-house gives you on-site availability and bridges the gap, allowing you to work effectively, reduce misunderstandings, and produce final products for your customers much more quickly. The FabLight machine is a powerful fiber laser for cutting and engraving stainless, aluminum, and copper steels, as well as titanium, molybdenum, and graphite alloys. The laser is a flexible manufacturing tool, so changing jobs or materials does not require any additional set up. This saves you valuable time and streamlines your workflow.

How does it reduce costs?

Spending money is a necessary part of building a business but if you aren’t careful, your spending habits and overhead costs can quickly become a drain on business revenues. As such, you should analyze what type of equipment offers the lowest cost of ownership and highest potential for profitability in today’s competitive environment.

Outsourcing laser services can get expensive, quickly. While the cost of purchasing an in-house laser may be a large investment for your business up-front, you’ll start to see a return on that investment the more you use your machine. Ultimately, this will save you thousands of dollars as you cut out the costs associated with outsourcing those same services including markup, shipping, receiving, and engineering time.

The FabLight laser is easy to use and requires little to no maintenance, so you don’t have to worry about the expense of hiring someone to operate it. It’s also cheap to run, costing less than $1 per hour in electricity and shop air, allowing you to further lower overhead costs and use your resources toward equipment that requires more power and labor. Unlike other manufacturing processes, the laser does not require consumables other than as assist gas – so you can reduce recurring costs as well.

How does it allow you to expand your business and reach new markets?

When your overhead costs are paid for by your existing equipment, you have dozens of new markets to explore with little to no risk involved. According to the Global Fiber Laser Cutting Machines Market Research Report, there is an increasing demand for fiber laser cutting machines in the regions of North America and Europe. Adding a laser in-house opens the door to customers within new markets. And, while they may come to you for your laser capabilities, they may eventually require the services of your other equipment.

How much manufacturing space does it take up?

If you’re looking to add a laser to your facility but you’re running out of room for new equipment, the FabLight laser is the machine for you. With the FabLight laser, you don’t have to worry about getting rid of existing equipment to fit a laser into your shop’s floor plan. It’s compact and can fit into most shops with ease. Its small footprint and extremely low operating costs make it a perfect fit for many prototyping and production environments.

There are many laser machines available on the market today, but the FabLight laser is what will truly set you apart from your competitors. If you’re ready to scale your business, offer more services, build value, and foster lifelong relationships with your customers, contact our team today.

About 3D FabLight

3D FabLight was founded in 2015 with a mission to break down the barriers to advanced flexible manufacturing using lasers and software. Our team has decades' worth of experience designing laser cutters and machine tool software.

With 3D FabLight, you get the best of both worlds. Not only do you receive our remarkable laser cutting technology guaranteed to meet your cutting needs, but you also get access to our team of dedicated professionals. We provide every customer with top-notch service, answering questions and helping them to personalize their needs. In addition, our team is available for software support. To watch a webinar, click here.