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Guides

Know what you’re buying.

Written by the engineers who build the machines. Each guide starts with the short answer, then shows the trade-offs, with sources.

Laser cleaning

Pulsed vs continuous laser cleaning: which one do you need?Choose a pulsed fiber laser (typically 20–500 W) when the surface must stay as it is: moulds, aluminium, stainless steel, thin parts, heritage objects and weld preparation. Choose a continuous-wave (CW) laser (typically 1000–3000 W) for heavy rust and paint on thick, robust steel, where cost per watt matters more than the finish.8 min read
Laser cleaning vs sandblasting: which method fits your job?Laser cleaning is the better choice where waste, substrate damage, precision or noise matter: moulds, weld preparation, spot repairs, thin or sensitive parts and small areas of hazardous coating. Abrasive blasting is still faster and usually cheaper per square metre for stripping thick coatings from large steel areas, and it creates the anchor profile many paint systems specify.8 min read

Laser welding

Laser marking

Fiber vs UV vs CO2 laser marking: which laser for which material?Choose a laser marker by material, because absorption depends on wavelength. Fiber (1064 nm) is the default for metals, MOPA fiber adds colour on stainless steel and black on anodized aluminium, UV (355 nm) gives fine low-heat marks on plastics, glass and PCBs, and CO2 (10.6 µm) marks wood, leather, textiles, paper and glass but not bare metal.8 min read

Buying

Buying a laser machine from China: an import checklistBefore you pay a Chinese laser factory, put the job, the laser source model, your electrical supply, the compliance documents, the Incoterm, the warranty and the payment terms in writing. Then have the factory prove the machine on your own parts, because a test on your material is the best evidence you can get before shipment.9 min read

Safety

Handheld laser safety: Class 4 cleaning and welding lasersHandheld fiber laser cleaners and welders are Class 4 lasers: the direct beam, mirror-like reflections and even diffuse reflections can permanently damage eyes, burn skin and start fires. Use them only inside a laser-controlled area, with eyewear rated for the laser's wavelength and output, local fume extraction, trained operators and a named laser safety officer.9 min read

Printing

Wall printer guide: how direct-to-wall mural printers workA vertical wall printer is an inkjet printer that stands in front of a wall and prints a mural directly onto it, moving the print heads up and down a mast while the machine steps sideways. It works best on smooth, clean, light-coloured indoor walls. UV-curable ink covers the widest range of surfaces, and every step up in resolution costs print speed.8 min read