A Guide to Avoiding Common Mistakes When Purchasing Consumables for Laser Marking Machines

March 10, 2025

The choice of consumables has a direct impact on laser marking machine efficiency and cost.The article exposes five common mistakes made by consumers, including blindly pursuing low prices and ignoring compatibility issues. It helps consumers avoid these pitfalls and scientifically choose supplies, saving time and money.

Misconception 1: Only looking at the price and ignoring actual needs.

Many people see low prices and jump at the chance, and then end up with a lot of problems.For example, some lenses are cheap, but the coating technology is poor. The lenses fog up after only a few months, and you have to replace them often.Before you buy, ask yourself: What is my material type? How much work do I do each day? Don't let "cheap" become a hidden killer of costs.

How can we avoid this?

You first clearly define the material being processed (metal, plastic, ceramic, etc.) and the intensity of the work, and then match the appropriate lens and nozzle specifications.Sometimes it's best to go with a basic model, but if you want to do a lot of heavy-duty work, it's better to go with a more durable model.

Mistake number two: The belief that "imported=good.

Imported consumables are indeed of stable quality, but they are often two to three times the price of domestically made ones.Actually, the precision of locally made lenses and laser tubes has been greatly improved, and consumables such as ceramic nozzles can now fully satisfy the needs of small and medium-sized manufacturers.

When to import?

Only when producing high-precision medical devices or aerospace parts does one need to pursue the ultimate performance of imported raw materials.The local market for the more common kinds of signboards and engraved gifts is adequately supplied.

Misconception 3: Ignoring compatibility of consumables.

The laser beam paths in different brands of machines are different, and using non-original consumables can cause the focal point to be off and the engraving to be blurry.One time, a user bought a cheap lens, and the etching was blurry. It took three tries to find the problem.

How to test for compatibility.

Keep the original manufacturer's specifications and compare the interface size and power range when purchasing third party products.If the conditions are right, then try out a small quantity and test the results.

Mistake 4: The more you stockpile, the more money you save.

Consumables also have an expiry date. The laser tube may leak if stored for more than two years, and the mirror coating may oxidize in a damp environment.One person told me of a factory that bought 20 laser tubes, only to have half of them fail after three years. The loss was greater than the original wholesale price.

The science of hoarding.

The formula for calculating reasonable inventory levels is: 1.5 times the daily usage, plus one month's transportation period.For example, if a customer needs two lenses a month, the dealer stocks three or four lenses, enough to prevent stockouts and to avoid tying up too much capital.

Mistake 5: Ignoring post-sale technical support.

When there are problems with consumables, small businesses may simply disappear.One time a user who had bought a laser tube from the seller found that the tube had leaked coolant. The seller claimed that the user had installed it improperly and refused to honor the warranty. The user spent NT $ 800 to have a repairman check it out and found that the tube had cracked.