Global support and service, a single point of contact and compliance with laser safety requirements are just some of the reasons why it makes economic sense to buy a ready-made machine rather than build one.
A key question for anyone using laser cutting for medical device and other high value-added products is whether to buy a complete machine or build their own system from a variety of components, including laser, optics, motion stages, fume/exhaust handling, process monitoring equipment, etc.
Historically, these manufacturers have preferred to purchase the machine, while larger corporations may have commissioned a separate design and software department or an outside firm to design the machine. Today, the question of whether to buy or build is clear: it makes more economic sense to buy a complete machine.
In this blog, we'll look at four buying factors - some obvious, some not - that contribute to higher productivity and lower production costs.
The problem with building a machine and blaming
When you buy a complete turnkey machine customized to your needs, you're also buying its performance specs at the same time. If the machine doesn't deliver the results it should, you have a single point of contact with a single line of responsibility for complaints.
However, if you built/made the machine yourself from the laser source, optics, and other mechanical parts, who will determine why the manufacturing process stopped working properly? What happens if you find that the final product quality does not meet your expectations? Is an unstable laser source, a poorly selected process head, or an unstable fixture and machine frame to blame? Determining the source of the problem alone will take some time and probably some finger-pointing at individual subcontractors. Ultimately, the problem needs to be identified, repaired, and the machine re-set and re-aligned - and all of this can translate into a lot of costly downtime. After all, the most expensive machine is the one that isn't producing right now.
On the other hand, with a complete machine, it's always the machine manufacturer's responsibility. So you don't have to waste time and energy looking for the culprit. Moreover, downtimes are even shorter if the manufacturer has a local service representative.
Global production needs global support
In the past, slogans like "Made in the USA" had real marketing value. Today, however, who actually makes a product is much more important than where it is made. This is true even for products where quality and brand image are paramount. And this is especially true for small medical devices and components such as stents and hypodermic tubes, where shipping costs are a tiny fraction of the total cost. As a result, corporations are free to take their production to global markets and locate factories wherever the local economic climate and labour costs make it most advantageous.
It is then extremely advantageous to equip these factories with the same laser machines and, crucially, global service and support.
A large manufacturer and integrator of single-purpose machines can have a reasonably capable in-house engineering team in one location. But a leading laser machine manufacturer typically has an extensive network of service and support facilities in strategic locations around the world. And a machine builder with its own testing labs for laser applications around the world can also provide local expertise for process and application development.
An equally important aspect of support is continuity of service. What if your in-house engineering "guru" who built your machine is no longer with the company? This could turn into a real nightmare. However, a leading machine manufacturer usually has a team of experts who understand every detail of the machines they supply, know the quickest solutions to any operational problems and, in addition, share their knowledge and experience across the entire development and service network.
Taking care of laser safety, harmful emissions and more
With any industrial machine, operator safety is paramount. For laser machines, there are several safety issues to consider.
The first safety issue is the laser beam itself. The beam is powerful enough to cut and mark metal, so it is certainly powerful enough to burn someone's skin or damage their eyes. That's why machines must include safety guards and various other safety features that meet the relevant regulations. This is easy for an experienced machine builder. But it's certainly not trivial, and it certainly shouldn't be based on guesswork and assumptions.
The second problem can be the fumes and gases that can be released during laser processing. Depending on the material used, laser processing can generate potentially harmful fumes. These may or may not be safe to vent through the factory exhaust system. A complete machine will always have built-in fume extraction with appropriate filters and other protective measures, backed up by specialist knowledge.
Innovation - Benefit from an investment in the future
Both medical devices and industrial lasers are technologies that are characterised by and benefit from constant innovation. A good example is the development of stent materials and coatings that reduce the likelihood of restenosis. Similarly, the available power of femtosecond lasers has increased dramatically in recent years, offering much higher cutting capacity.
When you partner with a laser machine supplier like Coherent - a recognized world leader in laser technology - you'll have access to the latest developments. You'll be able to continually upgrade and improve your machines, always using the latest laser hardware and the most powerful software. We will ensure that you are always at the cutting edge of the world.
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