Power Consumption
A 40 Watt CO2 laser engraver typically uses around 370 Watts of power when running. This includes the electricity for the laser, air pump, water chiller, PC, and an extraction fan to prevent overheating.
The maximum laser power (80W) is used for 50% of the working time, and for the remaining time, half of the laser power (40W) is used. As a result, energy use is only 50 kWh per month, equivalent to the usage of two office PCs.
Small desktop engravers use less electricity, comparable to a PC – around 30W-50W. Mid-range units for small businesses use 60W-100W. Lower wattages cost less to operate.
Costs and Capabilities
A 60W laser at 50% power for an hour uses 360W – about $0.05 per hour. It costs under $1.20 per day to run a high-wattage machine. A 60W laser can cut 8mm acrylic and soft wood. Compressed gas lasers can cut stainless steel and aluminum.
Cutting capabilities include paper, thin fabric, and veneer wood. Engraving can be done on wood, plastic, leather, and painted metal.
Selecting the Right Laser Engraver
Optimal laser power is typically between 5W-50W for most non-industrial uses. For industrial applications where fast speeds are needed, 80W+ is more suitable. Slow lasers require multiple passes on thick materials.
When choosing a laser engraver, consider factors such as material compatibility, size, depth, speed, flexibility, and cost.
Understanding Optical Power
Laser engraver power numbers can be misleading. Optical power indicates the true power of the engraver, not electrical consumption. The true energy a laser module emits is referred to as "optical power", which generally falls into two main categories for popular laser engravers – the 5W and 10W optical power.
Calculating Electricity Costs
To calculate the cost of running a laser engraver:
(wattage x power cost / 1000) x time (hours) = operating cost
For example, if the maximum power is 1600 watts, with an electricity cost of $0.08 per kWh and the working time is 1 hour:
(1600 x 0.08 / 1000) x 1 = $0.128
Material Capabilities and Wavelength
Remember, laser engravers need both the power and the correct wavelength to engrave metals. A power range between 25 and 80 watts is good for engraving, while more than 80 watts is advisable for cutting or high-speed applications.