Which is better? A manual focus or auto-focus CO2 Laser?
When looking at purchasing a CO2 laser like an OMTech, enevitably the question arises, should I spend the extra $300 to $700 for the added auto-focus. This article is going to be real quick, and I will just lay out the opinions of SEVERAL experts in the industry and why they chose what they did. And then my personal take on the question.
Is the Autofocus feature on an OMTech style CO2 Laser worth the extra cost?
Bottom line up front. Yes. The auto-focus feature on a CO2 laser is generally considered worth the extra cost. But it isn’t for the reason that you would think.
Across the board laser users state that the ability to raise or lower the laser bed by using the added stepper motor that comes with the auto-focus feature makesit worth the extra cost.
Benefits of Auto-focus on a CO2 Laser
As I said before the general consensus is that it is worth the extra cost. The reasoning is almost 100% the stepper motor that comes with the auto-focus and not the auto-focus itself.
- Auto-focus Probe (allows you to set an exact focal length that then focuses on the material when you tell it to).
- Motorized Bed (uses a stepper motor to raise or lower your bed in conjunction with the auto-focus probe OR without).
- Once properly adjusted the Probe is very accurate
Drawbacks of the Autofocus
Everyone, everyone, says price. So yes, it costs more but I think it is worth noting CO2 lasers are not cheap, and shaving a 2% probably isn’t really worth it. I bought a manual focus and regret it every day due to the changing of bed heights.
- Accidental Movement of Laser Head when not focusing. This is the main reason NOT to get auto-focus, if you are an absent minded individual your chances of ripping the Probe of the lens or damaging your bed is actually high. It happens all the time. Users will forget to adjust the auto-focus and then move the laser and boom, couple hundred dollars in damage.
- Auto-Focus Probe Tip has been known to jam when dirty.
- Cost. For example the OMTech AF2028-80w is about $200 more than the manual version.
My personal opinion
I wish I could say I made the right choice, but I didn’t. When I started I did what everyone does and saved my $200 and didn’t think twice about it. I had heard the stories of damage due to not paying attention, but it was the money for me.
Bottom line, now that I have multipule lasers I can say without a doubt the time you save having the stepper motor to raise and lower your bed is worth the extra money. I spent at least a year manually changing my laser from a linear set-up to a rotary set-up, some times three times a day.
That waste of time and frustration of cranking the manual bed adjustment knob is SUPER frustrating and takes way longer than one would think. It really became a sticking point for me that I would easily throw $500 at to not have to do every day.
I still focus manually (I removed the probe from my newer lasers) but I adjust the bed height with the controller and it takes seconds. It’s wonderful.
I hope this helps, please leave your opinion in the comments for others!
Make sure to check out the rest of my website and blog! My store has many of the common items I personally use and the WHY behind it.
Have a great one!
Royce
Hill Country CNC & Woodworking is an affiliate marketing business (although not for this post), but it is one with ethics and morals. We only promote the items that we use in our daily business. Let’s help each other! I will give you my experience (and discounts sometimes) and you can help me grow.