2024 FLUX laser cutter comparison | Which is the best laser cutter for your business

This guide will explore the distinctions between FLUX desktop laser cutters, their unique features, and how to choose the best one for your specific business needs. Before we delve into comparing the machines, let’s first understand the differences between the main types of lasers used in laser cutters and laser engravers.

Laser types comparison

What are CO₂ lasers?

CO₂ laser cutters rely on a high-pressure, gas-filled tube with mirrors at each end. These mirrors reflect the light generated by the energised CO₂ back and forth, amplifying the beam. Once the light reaches the desired intensity, it is directed onto the chosen material for cutting or engraving.
CO₂ laser cutters are highly versatile and can cut a wide range of materials, including non-metals and thicker materials such as wood and acrylics. They offer faster initial piercing times, quicker straight-line cutting, and smoother surface finishes, making them ideal for various cutting applications.

Factors to consider when choosing a CO₂ laser cutter include the need for consistent maintenance and occasional part replacements, such as the laser tube and lenses.
Additionally, CO₂ lasers cannot cut metals but can engrave on stainless steel with a spray-on coating and anodised metal. Therefore, if you’re looking for metal engraving lasers, it’s better to choose diode lasers or infrared lasers.

Advantages of CO₂ lasers

• Material flexibility: CO₂ laser cutters can cut through a wider range of materials, but not metals.
• Thicker materials: These laser cutters can efficiently cut thicker materials over 5 mm, provide fast initial piercing times, quick straight-line cutting, and smooth surface finishes.
• High-speed cutting: CO₂ laser cutting machines handle large amounts of cutting work quickly. The laser beam moves at high speeds, allowing it to cut complex patterns or shapes in seconds. This makes CO₂ lasers very useful in high-volume production.

What is a diode laser?

A diode laser cutter uses semiconductor diodes to produce a focused laser beam. These lasers are known for their compact size and efficiency. The light produced by the diodes is focused through a lens system, directing the beam onto the material for cutting or engraving.

Diode lasers are particularly effective for engraving on various materials and cutting thin materials. They are ideal for precision work and detailed designs.

Factors to consider when choosing a diode laser cutter is that they are not able to cut and engrave transparent materials such as glass and transparent acrylics. If the project you want to make with your laser cutter is dependent on these materials, a CO₂ laser cutter will fit you better.

Advantages of diode lasers

• Compact size: Diode lasers are smaller and more portable than other types of lasers, making them ideal for limited-space environments.
• Precision: Diode laser cutters are excellent for fine, detailed work. They are also suitable for engraving on materials like wood, plastic, and coated metals.

What is an infrared laser?

Infrared lasers typically have a wavelength of 1,064 nm. They are named infrared (IR) lasers because their emitted light falls within the infrared spectrum, which ranges from 700 nm to 1 mm (1,000,000 nm). Since the laser beam is in the infrared region, it is invisible to the human eye and has no discernible colour.

Infrared lasers are known for their precision and ability to handle specific materials that absorb infrared wavelengths effectively, such as metals.

Advantages of infrared lasers

• Precision and accuracy: The focused beam of an infrared laser ensures that even the most complex designs are engraved with deep detail, producing crisp and clean marks.
• Versatility in materials: Infrared lasers can accurately engrave on a wide range of materials, including metal, plastic, stainless steel, copper, glass, and ceramics. This versatility brings more possibilities for creativity and customization.

 

Top desktop lasers picks for small businesses

As we explore the differences between laser types, let us find which FLUX laser cutter best fits your needs. With our range of CO₂, diode and infrared laser cutters and engravers, we have a solution for each type of business. We’ll guide you through each FLUX laser cutter and their suitability for various businesses.

 

For creating personalised gifts

Beamo 30 W CO₂ laser cutter and engraver

If you are planning to start or already own a personalised gifts business, such as customised accessories, phone cases, or wedding accessories, the Beamo is an excellent fit for your studio.
FLUX Beamo has a metal body and acrylic lid, measuring 61.5 x 44.5 x 17.7 cm. Its modest build fits perfectly on any desk, while still offering a large cutting space of letter size (A4) for a powerful 30 W CO₂ laser.
Compared to traditional laser cutting machines, Beamo’s compact size provides you with more room for creativity. Essential components like the water cooling system and exhaust system are all integrated into Beamo’s small footprint, ensuring exceptional laser engraving performance.

FLUX Beamo key features

• Compact size: Thanks to its compact 61.5 x 44.5 x 17.7 cm dimensions, Beamo fits perfectly on any desk.
• Integrated HD camera: Allows for precise material placement and preview, ensuring accurate cutting and engraving.
• Built-in safety features: The laser cutter will automatically pause if the lid is opened and has an internal water cooling system for stable cutting.
• High-resolution laser: The 30 W CO₂ laser offers exceptional engraving quality at 0.05 mm layer spacing and 1,000 dpi resolution.
• Versatile material compatibility: Beamo is capable of cutting and engraving a wide range of materials, including wood, acrylic, leather, and more.
• Class 1 laser product

Get Beamo

 

For a miniature or board game business

Beambox or Beambox Pro

If you are a miniature designer or create products requiring many parts, FLUX Beambox and Beambox Pro are ideal for you. FLUX Beambox Pro offers a large work area of 60 x 37.5 cm and cuts materials up to 10 mm thick (depending on the material).
With a built-in camera to preview materials and a large work area, it can efficiently cut puzzle pieces, miniatures, board game components, and more, saving time while maintaining high quality.

FLUX Beambox (Pro) key features

• Large work area: Beambox Pro has a maximum work area of 60 x 37.5 cm and cuts materials up to 10 mm.
• Built-in camera: Allows for precise material alignment and preview before cutting.
• High resolution: These laser cutters engrave with a high resolution of 1,000 dpi, ensuring detailed and precise results.
• Intuitive touch panel: Equipped with an easy-to-use touch panel for smooth operation.
• Class 1 laser product

Get Beambox Get Beambox Pro

 

For mass production

HEXA 60 W desktop laser cutter and engraver

If you own a business that requires mass production and prefer not to outsource due to high costs, then FLUX HEXA is the perfect fit for you. Built for mass production, HEXA features a 73 x 41 cm work area and a 60 W high-quality CO₂ laser, enabling efficient mass production.
With a built-in camera and auto-focus, operation is extremely user-friendly. Equipped with a Cortex M4 core chip, FLUX HEXA can engrave at speeds up to 900 mm/s, freeing up more time for additional work. With excellent laser efficiency and durability, FLUX HEXA perfectly cuts through dozens of materials, allowing you to expand your product line.

FLUX HEXA key features

• Massive work area: HEXA offers a 73 x 41 cm work area
• High-speed engraving: Equipped with a Cortex M4 core chip, it can engrave at speeds up to 900 mm/s.
• Powerful laser: Features a 60 W high-spec CO₂ laser tube, achieving up to 1,000 dpi resolution.
• Auto focus: Allows for easy focus adjustment with a simple tap.
• Wide material compatibility: Efficiently cuts through dozens of materials, including wood, acrylic, leather, and more.
• Class 1 laser product

Get HEXA

 

For small businesses offering diverse products

Ador colour printing laser cutter & engraver

FLUX Ador is the world’s first colour printing laser cutter, which revolutionises the field by combining colour printing capabilities with laser cutting. It features interchangeable modules for different tasks: a diode laser, an infrared laser, and a printing module, which allows for vibrant colour additions post-cutting.
Equipped with three interchangeable modules, Ador expands the capabilities of laser cutting by combining a diode laser module, an infrared laser module, and a colour printing module all in one machine. This integration not only enhances the versatility of product creation but also establishes the Ador as a business-friendly laser cutter.

FLUX Ador key features

• Built-in HD camera: Instantly preview your designs.
• Modular design: Effortlessly transition between diode laser, infrared laser, and the printing module.
• Smart dashboard: Seamlessly navigate files and track progress live.
• Laser safety window: Protect your eyes with OD5-grade shielding.
• Large workspace: A vast 43 x 30 cm work area awaits.
• Class 1 laser product

Get Ador

 

Understanding the unique features of each laser type, such as CO₂, diode, and infrared, ensures you select the best tool for enhancing production efficiency and product quality.
With FLUX, you’re not just investing in a tool but unlocking the potential to transform creative ideas into profitable products, helping your business thrive in a competitive marketplace.