Engraving | Laser engravers

Hello, I am new to the site and we are just in the process of purchasing a laser engraver. I recently attended a trade show in Charlotte and saw several engravers and learned a lot about them, but I have limited experience and hope that you guys can give me some guidance in making a decision.

To let you know the type of laser we need - here is what we do and what we want to be capable of. We are a high end National digital photo lab and photography company. we service over 700 pro photographers nationwide and we want to offer our customer plaques with name plates, glass and acrylic awards and we also make literally thousands of statuettes which are photos adhered to 3/8 inch acrylic and then cut out around the subject and placed in a stand. Very nice product by the way. Some of these statuettes are cut from 11×14 inch stock.

We have zeroed in on the Epilog mini 40 watt laser and are thinking that this would be a good choice as it accepts standard sized sheet stock 12×24 and they tell us that it will cut thought eh acrylic in one pass without flaring problems.

All and any comments are appreciated. And if I am way off base here please tell me. Thanks in advance.

I bought a laser just a few months ago, and was also very seriously considering the Epilog mini. Ultimately I went for the Universal M-300 40 watt, which is also 12 x 24. The Epilog mini is similar to the Universal Versalaser: both inexpensive and no frills. The M-300 gives more control over the settings, which made the difference for me (plus the Epilog dealer wouldn’t drive to my studio, whereas the Universal dealer did). For instance, the mini has no control over PPI (pulses per inch).

You are right on target with the Epilog Mini laser for the most part. If you are going to do an sizeable volume or production I would look at the Trotec or the Gravograph New Hermes lasers instead as these are a little more robust IMHO. All of them can do the applications you mentioned including the acrylic without flaring. In any case the three companies mentioned are all good solid builders of lasers.


			Laser engravers Hello, I am new to the site and we are just in the process of purchasing a laser engraver. I recently attended a trade show in Charlotte and saw several engravers and learned a lot about them, but I have limited experience and hope that you guys can give me some guidance in making a decision. To let you know the type of laser we need - here is what we do and what we want to be capable of. We are a high end National digital photo lab and photography company. we service over 700 pro photographers nationwide and we want to offer our customer plaques with name plates, glass and acrylic awards and we also make literally thousands of statuettes which are photos adhered to 3/8 inch acrylic and then cut out around the subject and placed in a stand. Very nice product by the way. Some of these statuettes are cut from 11×14 inch stock. We have zeroed in on the Epilog mini 40 watt laser and are thinking that this would be a good choice as it accepts standard sized sheet stock 12×24 and they tell us that it will cut thought eh acrylic in one pass without flaring problems. All and any comments are appreciated. And if I am way off base here please tell me. Thanks in advance. I bought a laser just a few months ago, and was also very seriously considering the Epilog mini. Ultimately I went for the Universal M-300 40 watt, which is also 12 x 24. The Epilog mini is similar to the Universal Versalaser: both inexpensive and no frills. The M-300 gives more control over the settings, which made the difference for me (plus the Epilog dealer wouldn’t drive to my studio, whereas the Universal dealer did). For instance, the mini has no control over PPI (pulses per inch). You are right on target with the Epilog Mini laser for the most part. If you are going to do an sizeable volume or production I would look at the Trotec or the Gravograph New Hermes lasers instead as these are a little more robust IMHO. All of them can do the applications you mentioned including the acrylic without flaring. In any case the three companies mentioned are all good solid builders of lasers. Possibly related: Engraving emu eggs Beveled edges? Epilog Mini firmware frequency bug/issue About laser engraving/cutting What products sell?