Frequently Asked Questions

General

The way a laser machine works is by generating a high-powered laser beam that gets focused onto a certain material through a special lens. Depending on the machine you buy, it can be used to engrave, mark or cut various materials.

Laser machines are used in many industries, including the automotive, electronics, medical, aerospace, semiconductor sectors, arts & crafts, signage, corporate gifts and many more. In case you want to increase the efficiency of your manufacturing processes, it’s recommended that you get in touch with our Maxlaser team to identify which laser machine will be best for your application & this will depend on the material you working on. We sell Co2, Fiber, Mopa, UV & Green laser source machines, each laser source is entirely different & operates under different wavelengths.

There are a couple of things you will need to consider in order to determine what the best laser machine for you is. Start by determining how a laser could help you improve your manufacturing process. Your next step should be to identify the materials you’ll be using the machine on. Finally, decide what type of machine you need. For instance, laser cutting & engraving machines are fitted with co2 laser source which can be used on non metal materials. Laser marking machines that is fitted with a fiber or mopa laser source can mark on all metals, while the laser machines fitted with a uv or green laser source can mark well on plastics. Finally our metal laser cutting machines are fitted with a fiber laser source, these machines can’t engrave metal but only cut.

There are several types of laser machines that MaxLaser offers, including:

  • “Hobby” Flux laser engraving and cutting machines
  • Thunder Laser engraving & cutting machines
  • MaxLaser marking machines
  • MaxLaser metal laser cutting machines

Laser machines are notable for their impressive accuracy and precision. The exact accuracy depends on the machine you buy, but know that generally you can achieve slits with a width of 0.1 millimetres with a laser cutting machine.

No, the same Co2 machine will be able to laser cut & engrave. Thunder laser machines have enhanced the cutting ability by offering a 4″ laser head as an optional extra, this creates a long focal length lens that allows for a straighter edge cut. This helps them work efficiently when cutting thicker materials.

On the other hand, Thunder laser comes standard with a 2″ laser head to create a shorter focal length lens to create superior engraving quality. The 2″ laser head will cut straight edges for sure but if you using material thicker than 6mm then a 4″ laser head cut will be better. They each come with unique parts and have specific purposes, which is one of the many reasons why Thunder Laser machines are becoming so popular around the world & receiving many top reviews.

Materials

It all comes down to the type of laser source you plan to use. Each comes with a clear set of instructions as well as a list of materials for which it can be used. Lasers are most commonly used to mark or cut metals, leather, acrylic, wood, plastics, and rubber.

This will depend on the laser source you have, it will be best to consult with the MaxLaser team to find out if the material you plan on cutting, engraving or marking will be suited for your laser.

We have a line of specialised metal laser cutters that are the best options if you’re going to use your machine on metals. These machines can be used on any metal plating or sheeting, including carbon steel, copper, brass, mild steel, titanium alloy, nickel plate, stainless steel, galvanized steel, and more.

Purchasing a laser

You can return a laser machine that you received within 7 days of delivery provided it is not damaged & is still in good working order. There will be a 20% cancellation charge & no returns on special orders.

Some of our customers don’t have the money to pay off the whole machine at once. See our laser cutting financing page to find out more about the payment options we offer and the time period during which you’ll pay off the machine. Once the laser has been paid in full, it will become your property. Until then, we retain the ownership of the machine.

The price for every laser machine on our website includes shipping nationwide. The delivery usually takes up to 5 working days provided we have stock.

We offer warranties on certain parts of the machines. The warranties vary depending on the type of laser you’re interested in.

  • When it comes to hobby laser engraving and cutting machines, you get a 30-day warranty for the lens and mirrors, as well as 6 months on the laser tube and mechanical parts.
  • Our laser markers come with a 2-year warranty on all mechanical parts and a 1-year warranty on the lens.
  • Metal laser cutters provide you with a 3-year warranty on all mechanical parts.
  • Meanwhile, Thunder laser engraving & cutting machines come with a 2-year warranty on mechanical parts, 1-year warranty on the air pump, exhaust system, air compressor, water chiller, and glass laser tube, as well as a 30-day warranty for the lens and mirrors.

Installation & usage

If you’ve already ordered a machine from MaxLaser, the only thing you have to do is wait to hear back from us. You don’t need to prepare for the installation process prior to talking with our technicians.

This is included in the price, except for the hobby laser machines. Our technicians will come through install & train you on the laser machine. They will share special features and tricks that might be helpful to you in the future.

It is our goal to make sure each of our customers is happy with the machine they bought. That’s why we provide training for using them, as well as the software that comes with our lasers. By doing this, we know that our customers will get the most out of their laser machines. Only the hobby laser machine is supplied without training however we still offer lifetime support that can be done via teamviewer, whatsapp video or at our premises.

It’s not difficult to use a laser machine. We’ve provided these machines to various businesses across South Africa. With the appropriate training, anyone that has been trained can successfully use one of our machines.

The cost of running a laser depends on the type of machine you buy, as well as the specific model.

Maintenance, servicing & safety

The laser machines you buy from MaxLaser require minimal maintenance. If you own a laser marking machine, it’s advised that you call one of our technicians twice per year to check whether the machine is in good working order.

On the other hand, the laser engraving and cutting machines do require more hands on maintenance. The machine operator receives a daily, weekly, and monthly checklist. You’ll have to keep up to date with the maintenance plan. This checklist will take you 5 to 10 mins each day.

It’s easy to set up and start using a laser machine. They are also completely safe to use as long as you follow the instructions. To ensure you don’t experience any safety issues, it’s important that you operate the machine only after you check that the interlocks are working properly and the covers are in place. You should also never look directly into the laser beam or attempt to disable or modify any safety features. Ask us about purchasing safety glasses that will best suit your laser source.

Laser machines operate in a way that won’t damage your material. The laser beam is highly precise and doesn’t cause heat damage to the surrounding area. However, if you get a laser marking machine it’s recommended that you only use it for markings. Each type of laser has its distinct purpose for which it should be used.

When you buy a laser machine from us, you’ll receive detailed instructions on how to keep it clean. It’s important that you follow these instructions closely and clean your machine as often as the installation technician advises you to.

You can call the Maxlaser team & speak to one of our technicians, our technician team can help you via Zoom, WhatsApp, TeamViewer, and telephone. We can guide you on how to replace certain parts of your laser machine. In case there is a big issue with your machine, a technician will come out to check on it in person.

Customers who decide to buy a hobby laser engraving or cutting machine should know that they’ll receive a user manual provided by Flux that will provide them with information on how to fix any problem. Similarly, you can find a lot of useful content for laser engravers and cutters on the troubleshooting page of the Thunder Laser website. Although this information is enough to help you resolve issues with your machine, you can still feel free to call us whenever you need additional assistance with repairs and servicing.

Each customer that orders a laser machine from MaxLaser gets lifetime support. That means that you’re free to call us whenever you have a problem or question with your laser.