Laser Welding Machine Cost
How Much Does A Laser Welding Machine Cost?
Handheld Laser Welding Machines Cost
Low Power: Handheld laser welding machines with a power of around 200W – 300W, which are used for welding fine items such as gold and silver jewelry, generally cost between $2,800 and $6,200.
Medium Power: Small handheld laser welding machines with a power of 1000W – 1500W, which can be used for welding thin metal sheets and other materials, cost around $3,500 – $8,330.
High Power: Handheld laser welding machines with a power of 2000W – 3000W, which are capable of welding thicker metal materials, cost around $4,500 – $7,200.
Desktop Laser Welding Machines Cost
Stationary laser welding machines represent the more robust and advanced end of the welding technology spectrum. These systems are designed for permanent installation in manufacturing environments where high precision and large-scale production are required.
Low Power: Desktop laser welding machines with a power of 100W – 500W, suitable for welding precision parts, small electronic components, etc., cost between $1,0000 and $118,00.
Medium Power: laser welding table with a power of about 1000W, which can be used for welding stainless steel, aluminum alloy and other metal materials, cost around $10,000 – $16,000.
High Power: Desktop laser welding machines with a power of 2000W and above, which can meet the needs of welding thicker metal materials and higher strength welding, usually cost more than $16,000 or even higher.
Automatic Laser Welding Machines Cost
A laser welding cobot (collaborative robot) system integrates the precision and efficiency of laser welding with the flexibility and cooperation of robotics. These systems are designed to work alongside human operators, enhancing safety and productivity without requiring the complete enclosure typical of traditional robotic systems.
Basic Type: Some automatic laser welding machines with relatively simple functions and low laser power cost around $20,000 – $25,000. These devices are generally suitable for occasions where the requirements for welding accuracy and speed are not high.
Mid-to-High End Type: Automatic laser welding machines with high welding accuracy, speed and stability, equipped with advanced control systems and cooling systems, etc., cost between $20,000 and $25,000.
High-End and Large-Scale Type: Large automatic laser welding machines used in the fields of automobile manufacturing, aerospace, etc., usually cost hundreds of thousands to millions of dollars or even higher. These devices have the characteristics of high precision, high speed, large welding area, etc., and can meet the requirements of large-scale production and high-quality welding.
8 Key Factors That Influence the Cost of Laser Welding Machines
The price of a laser welding machine is dependent on several complex factors. Each element listed below contributes to the overall cost of a laser welding machine in different ways.
1 – Machine Type
A handheld laser welder is the cheapest laser welding machine available. Comparatively, any automated laser welding solution will increase the cost of the machine by a few thousand dollars.
2 – Laser Power
Laser power is another big cost contributor, as higher-power lasers require better construction materials, higher-quality lenses, and additional cooling.
Most laser welding machines don’t exceed 2kW of power, which is enough for most welding operations.
3 – Laser Precision
The laser spot diameter defines laser precision. A smaller diameter will result in higher precision but requires higher-quality optics.
Cheaper laser welding machines use less quality optical fiber transmission, which results in poor overall precision.
4 – Productivity
The productivity of a laser welding machine is defined by its welding speed. Welding speed, in turn, is directly linked to laser power and precision.
A low-power laser will move more slowly to compensate for its lacking energy output.
5 – Maintenance Costs
Any laser welding machine will use high-quality parts and materials that will not wear or degrade over time.
Fiber lasers, in particular, have a much longer lifespan (over 25,000 hours) than traditional manual arc welding, which uses consumable filler rods.
6 – Brand Recognition
Well-known brands typically cost more due to their widely known presence in the market. The added cost has less to do with quality and more to do with better customer care.
7 – Automation Capabilities
Not all automation setups are equal. A standard CNC laser welding machine will only have a 3-axis motion, allowing it to weld over a flat workbench.
Additionally, these machines require manual oversight from operators to ensure accurate welds.
Fully automatic welding robots are much more versatile and can move in 6-axis. They also come with self-monitoring and correction capabilities, removing the need for operator oversight.
8 – Additional Features
The biggest cost factors for any laser welding machine have nothing to do with lasers or welding. Product warranty, after-sale services, and on-site maintenance support are the biggest cost additives.
Large-scale factories typically don’t have the time to train operators for maintenance and troubleshooting. Therefore, business owners highly value after-sale maintenance, diagnostics, and repair services.
Choosing the Right Laser Welder for Your Needs
To choose the right laser welder for your shop or plant, you need to understand your specific production needs and how different systems can improve your operations. While cobots represent a forward-thinking option, it’s essential to consider a range of solutions to find the best fit.
Here are a few factors to keep in mind. Before making a decision, evaluate these crucial aspects:
- Material compatibility: Check that the laser welder is suitable for the materials you commonly use. Different systems might be optimized for different materials, from metals to thermoplastics, affecting their efficiency and weld quality.
- Production volume: Consider your output requirements. If your operations involve high-volume production, you’ll need a robust system that can handle continuous use without downtime.
- Precision requirements: The precision level you require can greatly influence your choice. Industries like electronics or medical devices need exceptionally accurate welds, which advanced laser welders and cobots can provide. However, the specific capabilities of each system vary, so it’s important to match the machine’s precision to your needs.
- Workforce integration: Think about how the welding system will fit into your current workflow. If you aim to enhance human workers’ efficiency, cobot systems are designed to collaborate safely and effectively with human teams.
Other
In addition to the laser welding machine, IGOLDEN LASER has also developed a laser welding cleaning machine, which is a multi-functional equipment that integrates laser welding and laser cleaning functions. You can remove rust, oil and other contaminants from the surface of the material before welding to improve welding firmness. Or clean the weld after welding to improve the aesthetics of the weld. Laser welding cleaning machine is ideal for industrial scenarios that require welding and cleaning. The price range of this multifunctional laser device is $7,600-$10,000, which is very cost-effective.
Conclusion
Laser welding machines come in various shapes and sizes at different price points. Choosing the best laser welding machine for your business is about assessing your business’s current needs and getting the most suitable product.
Traditional laser welding technology might seem appealing due to its lower price. But over time, you will benefit more from the compact size, higher reliability, and versatility of a fiber laser welding machine.
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