Choosing the Best Laser Cutter for Your School
Schools are always on the lookout for the latest technology to make learning more exciting and engaging for students. One such emerging technology is laser machines, used for cutting, engraving, and marking. Laser cutters for schools, colleges, and universities have become an essential learning tool across various subjects, including art and design, design technologies, engineering, science, and vocational studies.
However, when choosing the best laser machine for a school, administrators often need help to make the right decision. In this blog post, we'll discuss the critical factors to consider when selecting the best laser machine for your school.
Safety Features
Safety features are one of the most crucial factors to consider when choosing a laser machine for a school. Educational institutions will naturally want to prioritise the safety of their students and staff.
However, with so many companies selling laser machines, how do you know you're purchasing a laser system with adequate safety features?
Fortunately, when you purchase a laser machine from a supplier in the UK, by law, these machines are classified according to their safety levels, with a class range of 1-4. Class 1 is the safest, and the perfect choice for schools, hospitals, and businesses looking for peace of mind. These features would include independent safety sensors on all doors, a laser tube protection circuit, a machine axis and laser power cut-off upon lid opening during operation, or keys for hatch openings.
On the other hand, a class 4 laser system wouldn't have these safety features in place and require additional precautionary measures to protect the user, such as specialist training, supervision or protective eyewear, and external safety systems.
At Focused Laser Systems, all our Vision laser machines are class 1 and have an impressive suite of safety features, making our systems a go-to choice for a wide range of educational facilities up and down the UK.
Ease of Use
Schools are always in search of innovative ways to inspire young minds. And what could be more exciting than a laser machine that's easy to use? Imagine the possibilities: Students could create intricate designs and cutouts for their art projects, create personalised trophies for their sports teams, or even create custom t-shirts for sports day.
Some things that are worth considering when purchasing a laser machine would be a friendly interface that is easy to navigate, along with additional features such as auto-focus to achieve consistent processing results and minimise setup time when changing between different materials. The warranty and technical support available should also be considered, as ongoing support for your machine will be nothing but a good thing years down the line.
Additionally, choosing the right operating software is crucial when buying a laser machine for your school. The operating software is required to tell the laser system what part the teacher or students design to cut, engrave or score and at what speed and power settings to produce the desired result.
LightBurn software is the go-to option in the laser industry due to its compatibility with most laser machines and the advanced features that experts favour. However, depending on the student's age group, consider purchasing a laser system compatible with more basic operating software such as LaserGRBL or RDWorks.
Laser machine power
When buying a laser machine for a school, it's crucial to consider the power level that refers to the laser tube, measured in watts. The higher the wattage, the faster the machine can cut through or engrave materials. And also, with the extra power comes the ability to cut through thicker materials.
For example, a 130-watt laser tube can cut through 5mm acrylic almost three times as fast as a 40-watt tube.
The average lesson is 1 hour in the UK. As a teacher, the last thing you'll want is a group of 6 students, all desperate to use the laser machine. However, because you opted for a 60-watt tube, the processing time is 120 mins, whilst if you'd have opted for a 150-watt laser tube, the processing time would be 40mins.
Ultimately, the power level of the laser tube you decide on would depend on your budget and requirements. You might also be planning on using it less often during lessons. It's also worth noting laser tubes can be upgraded further down the line if required. These are all conversations worth having when purchasing a laser machine for a school.
Types of Materials
When buying a CO2 laser engraver for a school, it is crucial to consider the types of materials you're looking to process. CO2 laser machines are versatile and can cut or/and engrave a wide variety of materials, such as wood, plastic, fabric, glass and even some types of stone. Still, the thickness and composition of the material can impact the machine's performance.
For example, thicker or denser materials may require a higher laser power to cut through effectively. In contrast, certain synthetic materials, especially plastics, emit toxic fumes when processed and will need a more powerful extraction system.
Ultimately, carefully considering the types of materials that will be processed when selecting a laser system can help ensure that the machine meets the school's needs.
Size and weight of the machine
Laser machines come in various sizes depending on the processing area, and schools should consider the available space in their classroom or workshop when purchasing a laser system. You'll also need to factor in space for any additional equipment, like the cooling and extraction systems, along with the computer and space for students to operate the machine safely or for the teacher to demonstrate to the class.
The weight of the machine is also an important consideration. A heavier machine may be more stable and durable but could be more challenging to move or transport. A lighter laser system may be more portable and convenient but less sturdy and prone to vibrating during operation.
Ultimately, selecting the right size and weight of the laser system can ensure the machine is easy to operate and safely without compromising its performance or capabilities.
When purchasing a laser machine for a school, it is essential to consider the service and support provided by the manufacturer. A laser machine is a significant investment, and having reliable technical support, maintenance, and repair services is crucial to ensure that the laser system operates correctly and remains functional.
Servicing and Support
Schools should look for reputable laser companies that offer comprehensive servicing and support packages. These packages should include training for staff on how to use the machine safely and effectively, as well as ongoing technical support and assistance with any issues that may arise. Laser companies that offer extended warranties and maintenance plans can also provide peace of mind, knowing that the machine is covered against unexpected repair costs.
Schools should also consider the availability of spare parts, and the laser companies' ability to repair or replace components quickly and efficiently to minimise disruption to the school's curriculum.
Choosing a laser system from a manufacturer that provides excellent service and support ensures that the machine is reliable, safe, and an effective tool for learning and creativity in the school setting.
Fume extraction options
One important thing to take into consideration would be the extraction, and/or the filtration of the fumes the laser cutting process emits.
When materials are either cut, engraved, or both they will produce fumes as a natural by-product of being lasered. These fumes need to be extracted from the laser machine, and expelled using a in-line fan kit and extraction unit into existing ducting, or be filtered using a stand along filtration system such as a BOFA fume extraction and filtration unit, or a Purex fume extraction and filtration unit.
A couple of things to consider would be budget, and your environment.
You may already have ducting in place, in which case it would be easy enough to order the in-line fan kit, and connect this to the ducting. This option is easy to maintain, and has a lower initial cost of between £250 - £700 depending on the system required.
If you are inside a classroom with no options for venting safely to the atmosphere, then a fume filtration system would be the way to go. This will be a standalone unit that will sit next to the machine and extract the fumes from the machine, then filters the fumes and release clean air.
The price range of these systems are around £1,500 - £7,000. And it is also worth noting that this is the preferred option for many schools, but there will be on-going costs when the filters need replacing. Typically these need replacing yearly, but this does depend on the materials being processed, and the frequency of machine use. A rough price guide on a replacement set of filters would be between £200 - £600.
Buying a Laser Machine for Your School
Laser machines offer a wide range of benefits to educational institutions, from cutting to engraving and marking. When choosing a laser machine for your school, it's essential to consider safety features, user-friendliness, the type of materials it can cut, size and weight, and service and support. With these factors in mind, you're sure to find the best laser machine for your school that meets your needs and budget while promoting optimal student learning outcomes and enhancing the teaching process.
Investing in a laser machine for your school can be a game-changer, providing students with unique opportunities to develop their skills and explore their creativity.
When in doubt, speak to the experts. At Focused Laser Systems, we are the UK's leading laser machine supplier and laser repair specialists, where we focus on affordability and reliability.
Our laser cutters have been designed with decades of industry knowledge at their core, using only the highest quality components.
From desktop laser engravers to large format laser cutters, our laser systems are available in an array of bed sizes and power levels, ideally suited for various applications and industries, ranging from creatives and hobbyists to schools, universities, small businesses and manufacturing.
