Lasers for Stone: Seeing The Light

Note: This information is being updated. The listings here are from early 2008.

For this survey, a machine had to have a production area – the space where the laser can do its work – of at least 12” X 12”. There’s also a listing for the amount of weight a machine can handle, since there’s more bulk to a monument or 2 ft² marble tile than a commemorative acrylic award.

There’s also an indication of machine design. A flatbed has an open-gantry configuration much like a CNC; an enclosed cabinet puts everything inside a contained space, mainly for safety at close quarters.

Some of these enclosed units have ways to slide larger, longer pieces through the machines. This also involves doing a job in stages, depending on the working (production) area of the laser, in a tiling routine of etching consecutive smaller sections form a larger image.

It’s worth noting that many manufacturers offer a print driver for software. All the machines use lines (or vectors) as a pattern for output; instead of using specialized software, the lasers can take data (and laser setting) directly from vector-based graphics software, most notably Corel Corp.’s CorelDRAW®.

Other software from the engraving industry, like PhotoGraV from ImageLaz LLC can address other needs, such as creating a halftone-dot effect for reproducing photographs.

Some companies also get their laser engravers from original equipment manufacturers (OEMs), such as GCC in Taipei, Taiwan. LaserProUSA machines are manufactured by GCC, for example; similar models are available with the Pinnacle™ nameplate from Engravers Warehouse.

Models can change, and prices can vary at any time. For the latest information – and before making any purchase commitment – always contact manufacturers at the telephone numbers or Websites provided with each listing.

The information provided is from surveys distributed to manufacturers in late 2007, along with additional research.

ADSI (Allen Datagraph Systems Inc.)
Derry, N.H.

LE Series

Price: $39,000-$80,000        
Laser: CO2
Power range (W): 30-100
Configuration: Flatbed
Maximum material size/production area: 4’ X 4’ to 5’ X 12’
Maximum materials weight accepted: Unlimited
Range of resolution (dpi): 75-300.
Data interface: Serial, USB.
Software included: Yes (Allen software)
U.S.-based repair and maintenance: Yes        
Other notable features: U.S.-made, full-function control joystick, multiple-job queue.
Contact: ADSI, 603-216-6344

CAM TECH INTERNATIONAL INC.
Calgary, Alberta

L5 Laser Master
L20 Laser Master
L30V Laser Master

Price: $42,000-$120,000+
Laser: CO2
Power range (W): 10-200
Configuration: Flatbed
Maximum material size/production area: 78” X 150” (Larger production areas available.)
Maximum materials weight accepted: 400 lbs. per 4’.
Z-axis table movement: Manual lens focus
Range of resolution (dpi): Vector to 1,200.
Data interface: Ethernet, serial, USB.
Software included: CMC4 Controller, Corel® Suite X3, PhotoGraV, TPCWin (vector cutting).        
U.S.-based repair and maintenance: Yes        
Other notable features: Air-bed material handling, custom sizes, I-Cut, liquid cooling, removable beds, router-spindle upgrades, scrubbers.
Contact: CAM Tech International Inc.

EPILOG LASER
Golden, Colo.

Mini 18
Mini 24
Helix
Legend EXT

Price: Systems starting at $9,995.    
Laser: CO2
Power range (W): 25-120.
Configuration: Enclosed cabinet
Maximum material size: 18” X 12” (Mini 18); 24” X 12” (Mini 24); 24” X 18” (Helix); 36” X 24 (Legend EXT).
Production area: Same as maximum material size
Maximum materials weight accepted: Table lifting capacity of 25 lbs. (Mini 18, Mini 24); 30 lbs. (Helix); 40 lbs. (EXT).
Z-axis table movement: Automatic
Range of resolution (dpi): User-selectable 75, 150, 200, 300, 400, 600, 1200.
Data interface: Ethernet, USB.
Software included: Epilog Laser Print Driver
U.S.-based repair and maintenance: Yes        
Other notable features: Air assist, auto focus, emergency stop button, inside focus button, integrated vacuum hold-down table, integrated vector grid, linear encoders, moveable home position, NeverWear™ stainless-steel bearings, permanent job storage, Radiance™ high-energy optics, red-dot pointer, servo motors, standard advanced print driver, Waveguide laser tubes.
Contact: Epilog Laser, 888-437-4564