Are there future plans for a 4x4 version? I’m in the market for a 4x4 plasma or laser table and dont really want to leave langmuir. But most likely will do it. I’d hold off my purchase to wait for a LS one. But I don’t want to buy one of your competitors tables and then have a langmuir 4x4 come out 2 months later. I have no desire to lug 4x8 sheets around and dedicate that much space in the shop to the machine and sheet storage.
I like the idea of a smaller table too. But no matter the size of the table all the ancillary equipment you need to run that laser are going to be exactly the same. But you’ll get off easier on material handling.
But the quality difference is noticeable. I’ve outsourced parts, and I won’t even consider plasma cut if I’m farming it out. The kerf size makes such a difference in the crisp edges.
I understand that. My shop is only 60x60 and I need to be able to pull lots of equipment in. 4x8 just isn’t going to happen. Heck, I’d pay the same price as the 4x8 if I needed. There are several import machines in the 15-30k range that are enclosed units in the 1.2-2kw range. I know the langmuir is all imported parts too, but I’d rather at least some of my money stay in the US.
Oh I’m very familiar with laser. A personal friend of mine has two fiber laser tables that I’m able to watch running whenever I swing by.
If you’re doing large bulk orders, then yes continue outsourcing them as I would do the same. Laser will take care of the job faster, and even cleaner.
However depending on the bulk order, I may run them myself as I’ve done many orders with quantities between 20 to 100.
Many of those parts have to be accurate from one to the next as they get shipped all over the US and Canada.
I don’t know what all you do, or how well dialed you’ve got your table, but don’t be so quick to rule out plasma (even though I’d love a fiber laser table myself).
My table cuts great for plasma. It’s plenty dialed in. But there is just no way to compare the sharpness of the kerf. Outsourcing parts was nice, but costly. My most common part has 5 bends on one half and 6 bends on the other half. Was having them do the bending until I got my amada.
My table is 2x4. I can only fit 2 or my most common part on it along with some odds and ends parts. So I’ll burn through a 2-3 sheets of 10g a week, 2’ at a time. 4x4 would more than double my nesting options.
You don’t need to justify to me or anyone else for wanting a laser table; they’re nice as hell.
I would run one myself if I got the chance. In fact, my friend would sell me one of his tables as he doesn’t need two but I also don’t need it (or plan to invest to run one).
Think some of us just wanted to help you to keep in mind that plasma does still have its place (if Langmuir never comes out with a 4x4 fiber laser) as they’re more often available in the sizes you need (like 4’ x 4’) and much cheaper.
You might want to look into Gweike - they offer a 6 in a machine on a 54”x 36” bed - has edge detection that integrates the sheet on the table into the cutting software for indexing sheets easy and simply, also has a removable head, so you can laser weld and clean with the same machine either on the bed or hand held - cuts 1/2 all day long and is nearly 1/2 the cost. much better cutting software and a user friendly UI, unlike the apalo. My neighbor bought one, it’s a very well designed and engineered unit and is feature packed with all sorts of options that make cutting simple - the UI is key and the main reason i’ll never purchase another langmuir product.
Unfortunately that size is worthless to me. My main part is 22” wide. I can cut 3 on my 2x4 table. Can still only cut 3 on the gweike. I’m on all the gweike Facebook pages. Support look horrible from them. Takes weeks to months to get parts. Machines falling apart left and right. Issues with parts broken on delivery and taking weeks to get fixed. I can’t afford the downtime associated with a completely imported machine. I’m fine with a China machine but I need US support.