About Maintenance

1. What are the operating costs of the machine?
2. What are the maintenance requirements of the machine?
3. How often do I have to replace parts?

 

1. What are the operating costs of the machine?

Operating costs ultimately depend on the laser power you employ, but typically will be less than $1 per hour, including maintenance costs. The assist gas you use will depend on what you are cutting. An air assist gas will only be the cost of running your compressor. However, some materials require specific assist gases, and that will cost you the price of the gas as well.

2. What are the maintenance requirements of the machine?

The machine requires basic clean up on a daily basis. Use a shop vacuum to clean the plume and cutting bed, and wipe it down with a citrus cleaner once a week. This will build a strong coat, maintain a nice scent, and help keep the machine much cleaner over time. The encoder strip can be cleaned with alcohol only.

3. How often do I have to replace parts?

One of the many advantages of a laser cutting machine is that there are no tools to wear or break over time. There are few consumable parts within the machine itself. The honeycomb bed will need to be replaced as it degrades over time. We offer this part at $140, and it typically needs to be changed every 6 months. Other parts can be replaced as required, but should not be often. The flying optics are sealed and protected, and should not have to be replaced with proper operation. However, all parts are readily available from Beam Dynamics if necessary.