Interesting. Clearly a professional tool at a pro price - that gets recovered as part of the quoted job costs and depreciation charges. I really like that user interface - sheer genius. BobUK.
learn by doing.....k40 whisperer was a game changer for the k40...i now have built my own 600x400 co2 laser using the k40 control board, 45w spt laser.....have had for 3+ years.....spt makes great tubes.....they are actually tested with info like peak power......made motorized bed out of 1x1 steel tube and 3d printed parts....total cost was $900....well worth it as its paid for itself many times over
Excellent review! How many operational hours are these tubes expected to last and how much does a replacement tube cost? When I consider a purchase I also like to know what the longterm running costs are likely to be. Thanks
I’m on the website now trying to decide between the rotary tool version and the pro. Does the rotary version still do everything else the pro version does just with an option to do the rotary engraving as well? There’s not a whole lot of information that comes with the machines. Also, do we HAVE to use the filter? Or can we exhaust it outside only? Cause Ive heard the filters are VERY expensive to replace and need replacing ever 3-4 weeks for hundreds of dollars (this was a glowforge customer that told me this about their hepa filter) so I’d want to be able to exhaust outside only.
I believe the rotary version is pretty much the same machine with just the modification to allow the rotary axis to be fitted. I just vent it outside without using the filter. It clears smoke quicker that way anyway
You didn't mention a chiller? Does it not have a cooling system installed? If not that tube won't last long. Do you have to use its software or can you use 3rd party?
It's water cooled. Specified temp range is 0 - 35C. My guess is than in most situations water cooling is more than adequate. It probably only has to dissipate a couple of hundred watts. In a hot country without aircon it might be an issue. Anyway I am sure I will find out in July/August. You can use whatever you like to create image files but you have to use the software to send it to the machine. CTRL F1 brings up a maintenance menu which gives you some lower level options, like send gcode.
The laserbox pro model uses a co2 laser which can cut transparent materials. The hybrid model uses a diode laser which can't cut transparent materials. The hybrid model also includes a vinyl cutting blade. If you want to cut vinyl and engrave at the same time, the hybrid might be a good option. The co2 l;aser in the laserboxpro is much more versatile for general cutting/engraving It is easily the most used tool in my workshop.
