Maximizing Laser Production and Your Profits

One of the most common questions I get is, how do I charge for my work and how do I maximize my production. The main driver for this is going to be quantity. There are many factors to consider when making custom items such as design time, machining time, material cost, and much more. By creating larger quantities, the design time cost will be spread out over more items, making it a more manageable amount than if you were to charge for one single item.
In this video, I walk through what the machining times look like for one item versus a full sheet and how that plays into your cost.
● MATERIALS USED (May contain affiliate links)
JP Plus Discount Code (Enter code: 9PLB46 at checkout to save 10%)
Lasermag - www.jpplus.com...
● TOOLS USED
Epilog Fusion Edge
• Laser specs: 60-watt Epilog Fusion Edge
• Raster Engraving: 400DPI, 80% speed, 30%
• Vector Cutting: 20% speed, 30% power, 25% frequency
www.epiloglase...
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[@MakerExperiment]

I love using this magnet material. What other materials would you like to see me use?

[@rockhead4534]

I understand you cannot cut metal or PVC materials with a laser so that rules out Di-Bond products right? Is there any way to get a brushed metal or other metal effects on cut letters/logos?

[@MakerExperiment]

Rock Head I’d look into the two ply acrylic from Johnson Plastics. They have metal looking plastics.

[@rockhead4534]

@@MakerExperiment thanks I will do that.

[@rwhipple73]

Good stuff! Great advice. Never race to the bottom on price! A lot of what I do is one off custom, I have created a perceived value with my customers and have a good understanding of my costs in order to price things right. I’m always working on a minimum of 100% markup of my costs and I have some products that are sold at 600-700%, totally custom and nobody else I’ve ever found makes them. 🤫

[@MakerExperiment]

That’s a great deal. Keep it up.

[@3flgator]

A video on how to better grow your customer base and how you deside what to work on to maximize profits would be great for us beginners. Love the channel.

[@MakerExperiment]

Thank you!

[@celestemarchan8397]

This is such a great video! Thank you for this, Trevor!

[@MakerExperiment]

Thank you for watching!

[@EthanCarterDesigns]

That magnet material is so cool! Great video man!

[@MakerExperiment]

Ethan Carter Designs thank you Ethan!

[@schoonerlabs4656]

Usually has more to do with a full width/row of items since most lasers the speed is primarily in the horizontal direction. I tend to try and maximize layout across the table and not worry about a full bed per se based on the needs. I.E. you don't want to layout vertical if you can avoid for less than full bed.

[@MakerExperiment]

You are correct about the horizontal. From an efficiency standpoint, it's more beneficial to machine the entire sheet of material than to cut one row, trim the material and then machine a row and repeat. The combination of vertical and horizontal still has its benefits.

[@AdamsLeatherWorks]

That's a substantial increase in speed!! I wasn't expecting to see sparks. Stupid question... Can that material be cut on a standard glass tube water cooled CO2 laser?

[@MakerExperiment]

Yes, this material can be cut with a water cooled CO2 laser.

[@GregsGarage]

Good info as usual!

[@MakerExperiment]

Thank you!

[@chowvannrykhiev9680]

hey! I have the epilog fusion pro, and when i do a bulk order, I find that some areas cut through and some areas dont. Do you know the reason for that? My wattage is 60.

[@christopherczving4295]

check your mirror alignment, and make sure the table is level

[@rwhipple73]

Mirror alignment, or dirty mirrors or lens. As the head gets further from the source it will loose power naturally because of the distance, that could be enough to cause areas far from the source not to cut.

[@roberthoward113]

Will the magnet material work the 30 watt model?

[@MakerExperiment]

It should.