Six Ways to Save on Laser Marking Machines

How can SMEs control their costs when purchasing laser marking systems? Here are six practical tips covering equipment selection, supplier negotiation, and after-sales service, to help you avoid hidden costs and get high-quality equipment for less.

Be clear about your needs and avoid upgrading blindly.

Many bosses ask right off the bat, "Which equipment is the most advanced?" In fact, most of the time they don't need the top-end features.First, think through the following three questions: What type of raw material will you be processing? How much do you want to produce in a day? Do you need a portable machine?For instance, if the main purpose is to mark metal, and the output isn't that great, a 20W fiber-optic machine will suffice, and it costs nearly half as much as a 50W model.

Don't get fooled by "multi-functionality.

Some salesmen may recommend a machine that can handle a dozen different materials, but if you only need to cut plastic and acrylic, then it's just a waste of money.It is recommended that you test the samples to see how well the laser can mark the materials you will most commonly use.

That's when they're worth buying.

Second-hand machines can save you 30-50 % of the budget, but there are two things you need to keep in mind: Look at the laser's lifespan (fiber lasers generally last 100,000 hours, so be wary of buying one that has been used for more than 50,000 hours). And ask to test it for two hours straight, to see how well it handles heat dissipation and stability.

Choose a dealer that offers a guarantee.

When buying a laser printer, it is best to choose a dealer who offers a three-month warranty. Before signing a contract, it is best to confirm that the key components (the mirror and the lens) are original equipment.I've had customers try to save money by buying equipment without a warranty, only to end up paying more in repair costs than the price of the machine.

In this way the boss won't get angry.

In the buying rush at the end of the year, you may be ripped off. Here are two tips: Say "I can decide today" to get the lowest price (the salesperson has the most authority when he's trying to close deals); ask for extra consumables (e.g., two extra sets of focusing lenses, which cost NT $ 800 each).

Group buying is a way to save money.

If you join up with a group of factories in the same city to negotiate, you can usually get a discount of 8-12 % for a purchase of five units or more.Last week, I helped a group of fans get a deal on six 30-watt optical fiber machines, saving NT $ 6,800 per unit.

Hidden costs that are often overlooked.

Don't just look at the machine price! When comparing quotes from the three suppliers, be sure to include installation and testing costs (market price NT $ 800-2000) and training costs (some brands charge NT $ 300 per hour).

In this way the cost of consumables is controlled.

For example, a company replaced an imported ruby lens (costing NT $ 400 each) with a domestic product (NT $ 120 each), saving more than NT $ 20,000 a year, with little difference in the result.It's important to find out in advance which consumables the printer can use.

Post-sale clauses should be carefully worded.

The key points to look for are the response time (recommended 48 hours) and whether or not they charge travel expenses.I once knew a customer in the northwest who bought equipment from a manufacturer in the south. Every time they needed to send someone to service the equipment, it cost them NT $ 3000 in travel expenses, and they had to pay NT $ 50,000 in two years.

Taking care of yourself is a better investment.

Learning how to do routine maintenance and change the cooling water can reduce the probability of needing repairs by 80 %.The manufacturers charge NT $ 1500 for a visit to do basic maintenance, but you can actually do the job yourself in half an hour by following the instructions in the manual.

The golden time for buying.

The best times to buy are March-April and September-October, when manufacturers are trying to move inventory.Last year at the Shenzhen Fair, one brand of 20-watt machine was sold for NT $ 12,000 off its normal price, plus a two-year extension on the warranty. Don't miss an opportunity like that.