Re: Sub 10k Laser Machine
We have used a Hpc 6090 for the last five years. It's a typical Chinese machine lots of ongoing adjustment and care and attention needed with few bells and whistles. (Mirror adjustment uses standard metric screws so half a turn moves the mirror a mile) but they are a reliable company who back their products carry spares and will come and mend it when stuff goes wrong. Always use deionised water when cooling its also worth buying one of their cooling units if you want to cut for long periods. Epilogue are totally different animals absolutely no comparison but the Hpc if looked after and set up well will give exactly the same results.
Re: Sub 10k Laser Machine
Thanks for the reply Shoeswith.
Just out of interest, what made you choose HPC instead of the other ones around?
How much fettling does it need, daily, weekly, monthly?
The quote we had from HPC included the chiller unit as I'm hoping we will be getting a large amount of use out of it!
I love the Epilog's but they are just so expensive!
Re: Sub 10k Laser Machine
We didn't have the money for a better machine. We looked at proper industrial machines like trotec and epilog but they are four or five times the price. We weren't prepared to import without some kind of back up. Back then HPC seemed to be the only importers who had some kind of infrastructure to look after their machines. There might be more proper importers now. HPC's engineers are very knowledgeable and they are often able to sort stuff over the phone, visits obviously cost money. I wouldn't say daily fettling but weekly perhaps. You should be prepared to adjust mirrors (they can loose focus ) and clean lenses and cutting bars and change water regularly removing bubbles from laser tubes. There is a learning curve but if you have some experience you soon get used to it. They sell an antifreeze we add to the deionized water to stop stuff growing in the water. We had fungus growing in the water early on which blocked the cooling system at the narrowest point which stopped the machine because there is a basic flow switch that shuts the laser off when the water stops. It was our fault cause we didnt change the water enough. All sorts of stuff happened to ours mostly our fault. We use it heavily daily and like a lot of Chinese stuff they are quite robust but are designed to be used by knowledgeable skilled users as they need setting up.
Re: Sub 10k Laser Machine
Sorry for not getting back to you buddy. I thought I had but clearly not!!
So we have made the decision to go with a Chinese based company. I love the thought of the uk based support but I just don't think it's worth the cost.
In terms of costings we are looking at being able to afford a 1390 (1300 x 900) 120/130w cutter with a RECI tube for less than 5k delivered. There is no way we can match that at all!!
I will be blogging/posting on a couple of forums so that people can have a look and see how the purchase goes.
At the moment it's between Bodor and Weike. I will let you know 😃
Re: Sub 10k Laser Machine
I bought mine from Weike. Pretty good service.