Help Me Choose a Laser Machine
A 30-second decision matrix to find the right machine class, power tier, and lens for your application. Personalized recommendation by email within 1 business day.
Quick decision matrix
If you know what materials you mark and what you want the mark to do, this matrix gets you to the right laser class in 30 seconds. For a personalized recommendation including lens, rotary, and upgrade options, email info@jpt-laser.com with your application, we reply within 1 business day.
Step 1: What are you marking, engraving, or cleaning?
| Stainless steel, titanium, gold, silver, brass, copper, anodized aluminum | Fiber laser → see Step 2 |
|---|---|
| Wood, leather, acrylic, paper, fabric, glass with coating | CO2 laser (galvo for marking, gantry for cutting sheet stock) |
| Glass (uncoated), clear plastic, polymers, heat-sensitive materials | UV laser galvo (cold marking, no thermal damage) |
| Rust, paint, mold release, weld scale, surface contaminants | Pulse cleaning machine (200W, 300W, 500W tier) |
| Welding, cutting, AND rust removal from one machine | 3-in-1 / 4-in-1 fiber welding machine |
| Sheet metal cutting at production scale | CNC fiber cutter (1.5 to 6 kW depending on thickness and throughput) |
Step 2: For fiber laser, what kind of mark?
| Standard serial numbers, batch codes, hallmarks (black or grayscale) | 20W or 30W MOPA Fiber ($2,900, $3,600). 30W MOPA is the most-picked starter for jewelry production. |
|---|---|
| Color marking on stainless or titanium (watch components, branded hardware) | 30W to 100W MOPA M7. 100W M7 ($6,900) is the production standard, used by U-Boat Watches. |
| Deep engraving in metals (tool marking, mold work, > 0.5 mm depth) | 100W MOPA M7 (up to 1.0 mm) or 200W M7 (up to 1.5 mm). 200W M7 is used by AVK for valve traceability. |
| Production throughput, mixed work (color + deep + serial) | 100W MOPA M7 ($6,900) covers all three at production speed. |
| Heavy industrial, sustained 8-hour duty, thicker engraving | 200W to 350W M7 ($9,500, $16,500). |
Step 3: Working area and rotary
Every fiber, UV, and CO2 galvo machine includes 2 lenses of your choice and 1 rotary of your choice. Match the lens to the part size you mark most often:
- 70 mm lens (50 × 50 mm working area): jewelry, watch components, small parts requiring fine detail
- 110 mm lens (80 × 80 mm): medium parts, fine logos, mid-size jewelry
- 175 mm lens (130 × 130 mm): production standard, most versatile
- 210 mm lens (160 × 160 mm): larger parts, batch marking
- 300 mm lens (220 × 220 mm): largest single-shot area
Rotary: D60 for rings and watch components, D80 for medium cylindrical work, D100 for tumblers and bottles.
Optional upgrades, should you add them?
- 2.5D EZCad 3 Z-control upgrade, $750. Add if you need software-driven Z variation during a marking job (ramped engraving, contoured surfaces). Standard motorized Z is included on every galvo; the 2.5D upgrade adds in-job Z programming. For flat parts at a single focus height, skip the upgrade.
- 3D Feeltek dynamic-focus head upgrade, $5,500. Add if you mark on spheres, hemispheres, or complex curved surfaces. This is a head swap, not a software unlock. Most shops do not need it; for those who do, no other option works.
Still not sure?
Send a sample part photo or a description of what you want the finished mark to look like to info@jpt-laser.com. We will recommend the right tier, lens, rotary, and upgrade combination. Free, no obligation.
