HELP PURCHASING USED LASER - RF VS DC

[terryd999]

I'm brand new at this so please forgive and correct as needed. We currently outsource our laser and plasma work.

We almost bought a used Trumpf L2503 laser. The dealer was asking $25k. We weren't really shopping but this seemed unbelievably affordable...

Then we found that a turn-key price was $52k. Installation-$15,000, Training-$5,000, Dust collector bearing-$500; Template-?; CNC CRT-?; New Internal/External optics/focus lens-$6,500; Total $27,000. This would still cash flow...

Then we found out that the RF resonator could fail anytime with a $90k price tag. They couldn't tell me how many hours were on it. A deal breaker?!?!

I've since been told that a DC resonator doesn't last as long as an RF one, but the replacement cost of the DC resonator is much less. It seems to me that a DC resonator would be a better bet for a used machine as the ratio of risk vs machine cost would be much lower.

I welcome any and all comments. Thanks in advance. Terry

 

[krugtech]

Will this be your first laser? Bystronic lasers are pretty cheap to keep running. The only time I've ever seen anyone have to replace a Bystronic resonator is if something extreme happened, like it got hit by a forklift. A rare worst case failure would be a blower coming apart and destroying the glass which could cost upwards of $40,000 but like I said that's rare.

Whatever laser you decide to buy, find an independent service person with a good reputation, pay them to check it out and then make a decision.

There's ways to save money everywhere you look, for instance- forget the $5,000 training and just try to hire an operator who already knows how to run the thing. All new optics? I would never do that.

Where are you located?



Chris Krug

http://krugtech.com/

 

[LASERNINJA]

I concur. Trumph is the only manufacturer that swaps the resonator. As far as i know.

There are certainly less expensive ways to go. For example, in June, I flew to San Jose, disconnected a machine, got it all packaged up, Flew to Salt lake area a few weeks later, installed the machine, replaced the turbo blower vacuum pump and one internal mirror, cut some holes and squares and flew home. Keep in mind there wasn't any training involved but the total bill air, hotel, car, food, labor, $12,300 ish.

That customer got a great machine, knew how to run it, and helped out with the install. It can happen.

I digress, to answer your question, I work on RF lasers, I like the edge quality better on DC lasers, but the difference in minor. I would keep in mind that the big manufactures (major 3) build great machines. They all have advantages and disadvantages. But I honestly feel that RF vs DC is not really a shopping determinate. Its not like gasoline vs diesel, more like cloth vs leather. Maybe not even that significant.

I added a link to a spread sheet. I doesn't include labor cost but you get a pretty go idea what to look for.

 

[terryd999]

Thank you krugtech and laserninja.

krugtech - do you concur with laserninja on RF vs DC.

I've been told more than once that all RF lasers are astonomically more expensive to repair, and that the DC ones are much more inexpensive to repair.

Is trumpf the only one with an RF laser?

Is my info on the RF/DC repair comparison wrong?
Can you think of any technical reason I may have been told this?

Do I understand correctly that Trumpf is the only laser to stay away from when buying used? That all others are much less expensive to repair?

Thanks in advance for yoru help.

 

[krugtech]

The best advice I can give you concerning buying a used machine is if it's your first laser, avoid the ones who have been run hard and put away wet. A laser that's in great condition that might be inherently expensive to repair may be a better deal than something that's cheap to fix but needs a lot to be fixed. I agree that RF vs DC isn't so much of a point, but a machine that can have it's resonator repaired vs having it replaced is something to consider.

What are you planning on cutting?

Chris Krug

http://krugtech.com/

 

[terryd999]

We need to cut
12ga mild steel smooth and checkerplate
1/8" aluminum smooth and checkerplate
We would like to occasionally cut
1/2" mild steel
After further discussion with the person who disassembled the machine we are progressing towards the purchase of the Trumpf L2503 that I originally mentioned. He tells me that it appears to have been well taken care of and has low hours on the resonator.

New Questions:

1) Should I expect "bugs" for a while after initial set-up?

2) Best case / worsecase - what should I budget for maintenance and repairs that we can't do ourselves?

FYI - We'll probably run this machine less than 1000 hours a year.

Again, thanks in advance for all of your help.
Terry

 

[krugtech]

sounds like the person who disassembled the machine might be the best person to talk to. Again, I have to stress that an independent field service tech with good references is your best bet. From what I know about Trump, stay on top of the quality of water in the cooling system and DO NOT skimp on the quality of the laser gasses. This applies to most lasers, not just Trumph. I've had good luck with PRAXAIR LaserStar gasses. I've had some really bad experiences with AirGas.

Chris Krug

http://krugtech.com/