Consider features like an adjustable exhaust plenum, a lighting system inside the laser, and air/nitrogen assist. These are features that help a laser system owner work more productively.
A lighting system inside the laser helps to more accurately align the products being engraved and cut. A lighting system sounds simple, but not positioning the products inside the laser can lead to poor results and ultimately redoing the job, wasting time and materials.
Do you spend a lot of time cleaning smoke residue off parts that have been laser engraved? An adjustable exhaust plenum helps increase the air flow so little to no cleaning is required. Cleaner engraving is a huge time saver.
New laser systems also have the air assist feature, which not only reduces flaming during cutting but also provides positive air flow over the lens and optics to reduce the need for cleaning. Higher end laser systems also could switch between compressed air and nitrogen by selecting a feature in the print driver software. The inert nature of nitrogen is a huge benefit when laser cutting and often allows cutting speeds to increase due to the efficiency increase of the beam.
-Mike Fruciano, Coherent
