Beams of Might

Because there is a healthy selection of laser systems available for budgets big and small, it's tough to assemble a hard and fast profile of the typical laser system purchaser. Higher wattages that ensure faster cutting speeds will push prices skyward, explains Christopherson, with larger 2200 watt, 90 ipm systems running $240,000 to $340,000. Diemakers interested in adopting laser on a lesser scale can opt for systems such as Laser Machining's Model 6200, a 500 watt, 20 ipm flatbed machine that burns dieboards up to 4´ x 4´ and costs about $175,000.