Hello all,
I run an engraving business for the last 25 years, we have been laser engraving for the last 15, in that time we have only ever used Trotec Speedy C02 machines. I have been toying with the idea of adding a fiber engraver to mark on stainless steel and clear anodized aluminum. I spoke to Trotec about a machine and they recommended a MOPA laser, they said it's the only way to get a black mark on these materials consistantly, I was quoted $55,000 for the machine, now being a Trotec user for the past 15 years I understand the value in their machines, However after checking with a few Chinese manufactures, There is a significant price difference,
Our use for the machine would be mostly to engrave on industrial tags and such, we currently use stainless steel with cermark, or use a black anodized aluminum. however we are getting more and more requests for aluminum tags with black text. Add to that, we don't have the ability to sheer stainless steel in house and rely on an outside vendor which at times have caused us to miss deadlines.
After doing quite a bit of reading online, including these forums, I'm still confused, is it correct that a MOPA laser is the way to go to get a nice consistent black mark on stainless and clear anodized aluminum? My idea is to purchase a well reviewed Chinese machine to test the waters, if I find that it is helpful to my business I can look at replacing it with a Trotec machine in the future.
Does anyone have any insight into the world of MOPA?