Laser Marking: Cost Analysis over a Three-Year Period

The cost of the laser marking system over a three-year period is broken down in detail, including the price of the equipment, consumables, maintenance, and hidden expenses.This will help small and medium-sized enterprises and purchasing managers to clearly work out the long-term costs of laser marking machines, and avoid budgetary errors.

Why do we say that laser marking machines are not something you can just buy and forget about?

Many friends thought that the biggest expenditure would be the laser marking machine. In fact, it's like buying a car. The biggest expense comes from the various costs of maintenance after the purchase.Let's take a look today at exactly how much money we need to invest in equipment over the next three years.

The first cost: hidden expenses in purchasing equipment.

The secret of the price difference.

There are models on the market from NT $ 10,000 to NT $ 200,000, so don't just look at the sticker price.Although equipment priced at less than NT $ 100,000 may be cheap, its precision and speed may not match production requirements, and the rate of later repairs may also be high.I recommend a model of medium specifications, and one that costs around NT $ 150,000 should be able to meet the needs of most processors.

The costs that are easy to overlook.

A ventilation system and a voltage stabilizer will cost at least NT $ 20,000-30,000.Last year a customer who makes metal parts got burned. When the machine was delivered, it was discovered that the workshop had unstable voltage, and an additional NT $ 18,000 had to be spent on a stabilizer.

Operating expenses: Every month, a money-burner.

Data on actual electricity consumption.

For example, we tested a 30W fiber optic device of a certain brand name and found that it used about 6 kilowatt-hours in eight hours of continuous operation.At NT $ 1 per kilowatt-hour (kwh) the machine would use NT $ 6 a day, or about NT $ 6500 over three years.The larger models are twice as expensive again.

The rhythm of replacing parts.

The laser lenses have to be replaced every six months, and imported ones cost between NT $ 800 and NT $ 1,200 each.Protective lenses are another consumable item, and they are even more expensive.

Maintenance and repair: The silent cost.

The necessity for annual maintenance.

Just as you have to have your car inspected every year, spending NT $ 2000 a year on a comprehensive maintenance program for your laser equipment can extend its life by 30 %.The key areas to check are the cooling system and the optical mirrors. If either of these has a problem, the repair costs can run into thousands.

Emergency plans for sudden failures.

It is suggested that 10 % of the price of the equipment be set aside as a contingency fund for emergency repairs.Last week, a client's optical system suddenly broke down. The manufacturer sent someone to repair it and charged NT $ 8,500 for parts and labor. Fortunately, he had set aside the money in advance.

How much will it cost in the end?

Take the example of a US $ 50,000 machine.

Initial investment: NT $ 170,000 (including accessories).

Electricity and materials: about NT $ 32,000.

Maintenance fees: NT $ 26,000.

- Depreciation: 30 % of residual value, about NT $ 45,000.

Total investment exceeds NT $ 270,000, or an average of about NT $ 7,500 per month.Only by calculating the numbers can a company decide whether it is more cost-effective to buy equipment or outsource production.

Saving Tip: Using this method can save you a third.

1. Peak shifting: Avoiding peak electricity demand times.

2. Batch processing reduces the number of times equipment must be started and stopped.

3. Find a manufacturer to supply your own consumables.

4. Train specialists to operate the system, reducing the rate of system failure.

Following these methods, at least NT $ 80,000-100,000 can be saved each year. That's enough to buy half a new piece of equipment.