After a fair bit of looking and comparing I found a lot of good options with the help of this and other forums. Came down to Shenhui and Weike in the end. Still no clear sense that one is better than the other but one has to choose. Any last convincing bits are welcome.
Mostly, I wanted to ask a little about the dual head option. I don't really think i NEED dual heads but it seems like a good way to get a backup tube AND have the ability to make use of it at the same time (rather than it sitting on the shelf, lonely.) My plan is what I need feedback on. Mostly need to cut .25 inch cork and, ideally, two sheets at once to increase productivity (I have only outsourced this before and so won't have hurt feelings if told I am way off on any of this). right now I am considering one 150W laser and one 80 OR 100W laser. The reason for this is because I have gotten the sense from the forums that 150W lasers are not great at engraving and while engraving will not be my priority I do expect to do some.
- am i correct in my understanding about laser power and engraving ability?
- is the difference significant enough to worry about or can one do reasonable engraving with 150W.
The following are the specs on what I am generally thinking of. Feedback welcome.
1300x900 table
Dual head design with RECI 80W and RECI 150W tubes.
One spare RECI 150W tube
Mechanical table with limits switches on all 3 axis
DSP Controller with Laser Cut 5.3 software
Dual linear guides and stepper motors
One spare set of belts for the steppers
Auto Focus and Red Dot tools
CW 5000 water chiller for each laser water chiller with pump and flow sensor
50, 63.5 and 100mm lenses
2 sets of mirrors, highest quality
Power z-axis bed with Stepper motors - must include limit switch
Cylinder Rotary
Irregular Rotary
Red Dot alignment - type that mounts on the laser head
Exhaust Fan (sucks the smoke out of the machine)
Air assist (blows the smoke away from lens)
Lighting on inside of enclosure – LED on the rear of the inside
Home position in top left corner (limit switch goes there)
Machine color - Red with Black doors