In this article, we tried to describe in detail the implementation of such a garage business idea as laser cutting and engraving. Today, products made using laser engraving and cutting, are in special demand, which means that engaging in such activities in the garage can provide you with a good income and a lot of positive emotions.
A bit of theory - what is laser engraving?
produced by laser radiation, which either removes the upper layers, or provides a change in their structure and color. Under the influence of a laser beam, the thinnest metal layer evaporates from the surface of the product, thereby forming a kind of relief.In the process laser cutting and engraving, a very high-quality, durable high-resolution image is obtained and varying degrees difficulties. According to the type of application, laser engraving is divided into vector engraving, when the contour of the image is applied with a laser thin lines, and raster, which is characterized by halftone photographic images.
A three-dimensional view is given to the engraving by adjusting the depth of the laser exposure. And as a material for engraving, wood, plastic, metal, plexiglass and others can act.
The benefits of laser engraving include:
- Complete non-contact;
- High speed of drawing images and high resolution;
- Product durability;
- Resistance to external factors;
- aesthetic appearance;
- No need for additional types processing.
The use of laser cutting equipment eliminates the use of special clichés and various printing forms. So you don't have to spend money on buying additional equipment and maintenance of the personnel serving it. It also saves a lot of prepress time.
Engraving does not require any additional consumables. All that is needed is the laser itself, powered by electricity. Term beneficial use laser is about 20 thousand hours of continuous operation. This is approximately 7 years of operation with 8-hour work shifts.
Maintenance of laser engraving equipment is within the power of one operator with skills in working in graphic programs. The laser cutting business allows the production of small batches of products. The task comes to the equipment for engraving from a file.
How to Start a Laser Engraving Garage Business
The engraving business has been among the highly profitable since the times of the USSR. Today, not only has it not lost its relevance, because it can rightly be called a business with minimum investment and it only takes a small amount of space to start a business.
Organizing such a garage business is quite simple. First you need to draw up a business plan, analyze the competitive market, decide on the premises and purchase special equipment.
At the first stage, it is quite possible to place a workshop at home. Here you can get by with an engraving machine powered by an outlet, the price of which is 5 thousand rubles. Moving to a more serious level, you can open a real engraving workshop in separate room. It should install special pneumatic grinders.
As for professional skills, when thinking about doing laser engraving, it is not at all necessary to initially have any special knowledge. Anyone can understand the intricacies of cutting with a laser.
Subtleties of the technological process
As noted above, laser engraving allows you to remove part of the material from the surface of the workpiece under the influence of a focused super-powerful laser beam. You can control the degree of impact on the surface by correctly controlling the parameters of laser radiation. Also, a significant role is played by the properties of the material itself, on which the impact occurs.Raster engraving uses a sequence of high resolution dots. If a highly detailed image is being made, then the laser carriage moves along the lines in a downward direction, which means that a number of dots are engraved along each line. Thus, the desired picture is created, which is very similar to how an image is printed on a printer.
Laser cutting is highly automated, there are no intermediate, manual steps, which reduces the likelihood of errors due to human error, and therefore minimizing the duration of the production process. Traditionally, the whole procedure takes a little more than half an hour.
You can print by laser cutting a wide variety of products from scanned photographs to drawings. Engraving is carried out on a pre-treated surface, when the drawing is converted into a vector form. This process takes a lot of time. Respectively this work should be regarded separately from the payment directly for laser engraving.
Laser cutting equipment is quite simple. The laser itself is a special beam of light focused into a small point. According to the principle of operation, its work can be compared with the influence of a magnifying glass under the rays of the sun when lighting a fire. The lasers used in laser cutting are characterized by low power, safe for humans and easy to use.
The laser engraving garage business has distinct advantages over engraving with conventional tools. First, the laser process uses a non-contact method, which minimizes the likelihood of wear or damage to equipment. Likewise, the probability of damage and deformation of the workpiece is also less. Another advantage is the quality of the resulting images, which are characterized by high resolution. The laser shows itself perfectly both in working with a variety of materials and with textures.
Inexpensive laser cutting equipment
When organizing a laser engraving garage business, you should decide what kind of laser cutting equipment you will purchase. In this matter, it all depends on your financial capabilities. In the case of the choice of domestic machines, costing within two hundred thousand rubles, we can say that you are organizing real business with minimal investment. Imported machines are much more expensive - about 600 thousand rubles. They are equipped with diamond needles, which produce engraving. The price of one such needle is about 500 rubles, but at least three dozen images can be applied with it.
Business on a laser machine (video):
Also, in addition to the machine, for the full implementation of this garage business, you will need a good scanner and a computer, as well as a licensed software installed on it. software CorelDraw and Photoshop software.
The use of modern computer technology today, if not completely replaced human labor, it has practically reduced it to a minimum. And the laser machine and its use in business are becoming more and more popular every year.
is a multifunctional complex designed for processing various surfaces(wood, metal, plastic) by means of a laser beam under the control computer program.
The popularity of CNC laser machines is growing every year: this is the engraving of medals, cups, postcards, and wood milling, and 3-d design in various fields. It becomes real to use the idea of manufacturing such products as promising business- project.
Application area
In order to know where this or that type of product is more likely to be in demand, it is necessary to understand how extensive the scope of the CNC laser is. The functionality of the complex makes it possible to choose options for starting a business in various industries:
Laser engraving
One of popular species decorating souvenirs. Thanks to the non-contact and high-speed impact on the processed material, the output is a high-definition image that is not erased and does not change over time. The efficiency and profitability of such a business project has its own reasons:
- cost-free equipment;
- quick payback;
- short terms and high quality results.
Milling work
Parts manufacturing various forms and dimensions on a universal CNC laser machine is used in many industries: furniture factories, architectural design, development of 3d models. The last point - latest technology made possible and accessible by special program for CNC.
It allows you to convert encoded computer signals into mechanical action, and transfer them to a three-dimensional plane. Such a project requires good investments in high-quality equipment, but with a constant clientele, it quickly pays off.
laser cutting
Today, this type of processing is the most affordable and economical in terms of finance. A feature of laser cutting is the preservation of material properties:
- optical;
- heat-resistant;
- physical and chemical, etc.
The ability to perform fine work with plexiglass, two-tone plastic and various polymers made this way of working unique.
Usually, laser cutting on machines is combined with subsequent engraving. Such production is more successful, since it does not require the client to search for two different profiling companies.
The scope of the project
Depending on the business ideas for CNC laser, as well as the scale and volume, economic opportunities and the availability of a client base, it is possible to master production in two ways: a home workshop or a mass enterprise.
Thanks to small sets of universal machines, a novice master has the opportunity to master working with a laser at home, in small workshops or utility rooms. Also, the presence of a working area allows you to take orders, for example, for decorating and engraving small items.
Machine tool with numerical program management- this is an opportunity to work even without an assistant. But you should carefully consider the software and hardware of the complex:
- check for viruses;
- follow the updates;
- give preference to established design schemes.
Having studied all the functionalities, as well as gaining experience with a laser unit, many specialists are thinking about the idea of providing their services within an enterprise or plant.
Key points to start this project:
- drawing up a business plan;
- initial capital;
- room;
- hiring workers;
- advertising.
It is necessary to equip the room, observing all safety regulations when working with a laser, instruct employees, have protective suits, as well as all fire safety equipment.
For large scale production, different types equipment: a vertical, horizontal machine with a movable or fixed table, a universal machine, etc. The goals and objectives of an enterprise can be different: from engraving chessboards to drilling and grinding large wooden blocks. The number of cars, the presence or absence of access roads, loading and unloading, the presence of operators, as well as masters for finalizing the finished product depend on this.
Client base
When developing a business, it is important to understand that each new client can move into the category of permanent only if all its requests are satisfied, namely High Quality products, fast deadlines, friendly attitude. When thinking about business ideas for a CNC laser, you need to focus on the most interesting and stable client.
- Furniture design firm. In addition to the main building blocks, furniture makers add exquisite cut-out elements that can only be made using a CNC machine.
- Engineering enterprises. Using templates for the computer program of the laser complex, it is possible to create a series of identical parts required for mass production.
- Advertising production. Popular orders - engraving on business cards, tablets, mugs, medals and cups.
- Construction companies. Ordering 3-d design of house models has become available thanks to the new capabilities of the laser machine.
- gaming and training centers. Creation of layouts as a teaching and visual aid.
Advantages
The high profitability of a laser machine is one of the main advantages of using it in mass production. In addition, the device is unpretentious in operation, withstands a high load rate, and also differs minimal cost for consumables. The exception is quality software.
Fast turnaround times for laser engraving, for example, allow enough orders to be taken to pay for the equipment and be profitable. Experienced Master cooperates with professionals to create original schemes for CNC: makes an order for the desired drawing, and the specialist transfers this image to the coding program.
perspective
The laser machine was popular back in Soviet time. Today, thanks to an automated process, this type of activity opens up wide opportunities in the market for goods and services. The production of souvenirs, greeting goods, engraving of quality marks or distinctions are just a few of the things you can focus on when starting a business. Having understood the basics and honed skills in the home workshop, the idea of the project can be considered as a further promising business.
One of modern technologies metal processing is laser cutting. This is the most advanced way of working with metal, allowing you to work with a maximum accuracy of up to 0.1 mm. Irregularities will definitely not arise. Laser cutting can be done on metal with a wide range thickness.
Additionally, and importantly, laser welding can work with the most brittle metal options. Processing using a laser allows you to most accurately connect together with the smallest fragments up to 1 mm. Therefore, this type of processing can be used even for precious, jewelry materials.
Everyone knows that carrying out any work with metal can always bring a pleasant income. Laser cutting stands out from other methods and allows you to quickly bring good profit. But only with the right business organization.
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Room rental.
Laser cutting requires renting a room with an area of at least 50 m2. It will be convenient to locate equipment here, allocate space for organizing the workplace of workers, as well as allocate a site for storing raw materials and finished products. It is important that the premises be clean, dry, with the possibility of good air conditioning, as well as artificial and natural lighting, for the normal functioning of the staff.
Special safety requirements will be imposed on production facilities whose activity is metal cutting. Therefore, it is worth being fully prepared for frequent checks. It is important that the power line works normally in the room, water supply and drainage are connected, and the ceiling height must be at least 3 meters.
For the operation of the equipment, it is necessary that the power line withstand a voltage of at least 220 watts. It is best to rent a room in an industrial area. The cost of renting such a room is at least $ 350.
Equipment.
The laser machine is capable of cutting materials as accurately as possible and for little money. The package of equipment that performs metal cutting includes:
1. Laser machine - $ 13 thousand;
2. Exhaust fan - $2.5 thousand;
3. Air compressor - $1.4 thousand;
4. Control unit - $1.6 thousand.
total cost total equipment is 18.5 thousand dollars. This equipment will work with the following programs: CORELDRAW, PHOTOSHOP, AUTOCAD. It is important to note that the service life of the laser tube is about 1000 hours. hours of work. In the future, the part will need to be replaced.
Raw material.
The laser machine can work with the following materials: steel, stainless steel, wood and wood-like materials, plastic, leather and fabric. You can, of course, choose certain materials with which you want to work or stop at one single one. But you can also decide to take on all types of material processing.
You can offer the consumer specific products from various materials or work directly with raw materials brought by the client. It all depends on the concept of the business. But, it will still be necessary to invest in the purchase of materials. If only because you need to offer customers samples of manufactured products. Thus, it is possible to offer a service or a product and a service. In total, it is necessary to allocate about $1,000 for the purchase of raw materials.
Staff.
For work at the enterprise for the implementation of laser welding with various materials Only professional welders are needed. At the same time, such people must have certain skills, have a specialized education. Welding requires a confident hand of the master, especially if we are talking about expensive materials.
It is also important to develop your employees by offering refresher courses. Welders on laser equipment must have certain skills and know the rules of fire safety when working with equipment. The company also needs designers who can work with CORELDRAW, PHOTOSHOP, AUTOCAD programs. Still need an equipment adjuster and a customer service manager. The staff will consist of only 6-8 people, but only responsible people with sufficient experience in this field are needed. In total, it is necessary to allocate about $ 3.5 thousand for the remuneration of working personnel.
Business this direction requires promotion in the form of advertising. First of all, you need to organize advertising on the Internet. This is the creation of a website with a list of services and information about the company, advertising on partner sites, advertising on forums and in in social networks. It is also worth doing the usual advertising on radio, television, newspapers, magazines. Will bring profit and new customers renting outdoor advertising space. But what is needed is not the sleeping areas of the city, but the center or the factory part.
It is also important to monitor the work of competitors. To learn more about them, you need to take part in exhibitions and seminars. In total, you need to pay at least $ 250 for advertising.
Basic costs.
Opening own business cutting metals requires the following costs:
1. Room rental - $350;
2. Equipment - $18.5 thousand;
3. Raw materials - 1 thousand $;
6. Additional expenses - $120.
In total, to start a business in this area, you need to have an amount of $ 24 thousand.
Profit and payback period.
The market cost of cutting metal sheets starts from $0.8 per unit. This is the wholesale price. For a small wholesale consumer, the cost can be increased by 20%. When performing laser cutting, most often 40-50% of the profit goes to the share of the company, and the rest is spent on all daily needs. The equipment allows you to work with large volumes works, from 1 thousand units per day. Thus, for a month of work in one shift, you can make a profit of up to $12,000. The share of production will take 6 thousand dollars. But the main thing is to find a wholesale consumer and then the business will be established. Full payback business can occur in 6 months.
Key customers and business development.
The main consumers of laser cutting services can be both individuals and companies. The second is worth focusing on in order to have a constant profit. It is very convenient to develop the direction, because the equipment can work with various materials. Thus, you can do not just a service, but the sale of specific parts. But just before you start making products, it is important to make sure that they will be popular.
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The main advantage of the engraving business is the low space requirements for work. If it is assumed that customers will be served via the Internet, then laser equipment can be easily placed even at home.
You can rent any office for work, but premises in crowded places, for example, in large shopping centers, are best suited.
If laser engraving is used in the jewelry area, then it is necessary to install a strong safe for valuable items in the room.
The only requirement for the rented premises is the observance of sanitary standards in it for the work of technical staff.
Equipment for laser engraving (machines)
The main equipment for laser engraving is an engraver, often ordered. There are two types of engraving machines: vector (images are created with thin, neat lines) and raster (graphic halftones are used to create silhouettes).
Rates vary by manufacturer: a domestic manufacturer offers engravers from 190 to 200 thousand rubles. If laser engraving is planned as a large business with a large stable income, then you should prefer an engraver of American and European production, which will cost at least 500 thousand.
You can buy a used machine - the price is at least 120 thousand.
Computer hardware and software
Laser engraving requires computer equipment: a powerful processor, a monitor with a high-quality display and the installation of licensed software - programs CorelDraw and Photoshop. Also, a powerful scanner is needed to create digital copies of images.
The main consumable for laser engraving is a diamond needle with a minimum worth 600 rubles.
To apply several dozen images to plastic, one needle is needed. And for the production of laser stamps and seals, rubber is required.
Laser Engraving: Clientele, Applications
The main advantage of engraving is a huge range of applications. First of all, this is laser drawing on souvenirs and jewelry, engraving on clothes, drawing coats of arms, company logos, initials, letter ligatures on various items.
Popular laser engraving applied to the body of the phone. The laser is also used for the manufacture of stamps and seals. Look for clients in the field of modern modeling - small details are made with the help of an engraver, as well as in the field of interior design - decorative elements are made here.
Technical staff of the engraving workshop
Working with laser engraving requires the staff to have special knowledge and skills, as well as a minimum work experience.
If an entrepreneur is going to do engraving on his own, you can turn to manufacturers that provide professional training in the form of master classes and online lessons, training materials.
Required Documentation
To work with laser engraving, appropriate documents are required: first of all, these are licenses for the use of equipment and software.
Documents confirming the fulfillment of sanitary standards for the work of personnel in the laser engraving room are also required. need to register a limited liability company or IP is the best option.
Business profitability and monthly profit
Net monthly profit varies from 20 to 60 thousand, depending on. The average payback of a used engraver at monthly profit at 20 thousand - 6 months, domestic equipment with a profit of 40 thousand - 5 months, imported equipment with a profit of 60 thousand - 7-8 months.
Engraving is the application of an image, inscription, pattern to an object with a special cutting tool. For the first time, the engraving craft appeared in China, in Russia they began to be engaged in it only in the 17th century. Engraving is diverse, it can be industrial and artistic. Artists-engravers with the help of special tools create unique compositions.
To open your own business, you can consider a simpler type of engraving. Still in demand is the application of commemorative inscriptions on gifts, Jewelry, souvenirs, weapons, watches, lighters, stationery, expensive fountain pens. In honor of the memorable event, many are pleased to leave on valuable gift your wish, signature or date. Such a service as engraving of inscriptions is very much in demand by consumers, and there is not yet much competition in this business.
For those who have a desire to start their own business, who have an artistic taste and a firm hand, who like to do delicate and painstaking work, they can open their own engraving workshop. It is worth considering this if there are no engravers in the city or area yet.
ROOM SELECTION
For success in the engraving business, you need to choose the right room. It is advisable to choose a place where there is an active trade, there are many buyers, and there are no similar services. A place where there are jewelry stores and gift shops nearby is suitable. Large shopping centers and hypermarkets would be ideal. Great option is to rent a place on the first floor of a large shopping center, next to the main entrance.
The rental price of the premises will be 4000-8000 rubles.
You will need the necessary tools - a manual engraving machine or an engraving machine. The purchase of an engraving machine will cost inexpensively - from 1000 rubles.
To apply a beautiful and spectacular engraving, it takes time to master the basics of craftsmanship. In addition, an accompanying tool is needed: hammers, scarpels, scribers, knitting needles, pencils for different surfaces.
Everything you need is purchased via the Internet and will cost a little more than 3,000 rubles.
You will need clamps for fixing small items: jewelry, rings. A "barrel" is needed for engraving rings, it is purchased at a specialized store for jewelers' tools. Estimated cost- about 4000 rubles.
Among other things, jewelry engraving vices are purchased, costing about 600 rubles.
A more expensive tool is also being produced that automates the engraving process. For example, sold different models laser engraving machines, with the help of which complex inscriptions are made. Such machines are small, easy to use, well engraved on acrylic, plywood, wood, leather, glass, paper and metal.
The engraving process is simple: the desired pattern is loaded via a computer, everything is programmed and the whole job is done in a few minutes.
The cost of a laser machine is more than 120,000 rubles. The effectiveness of its use is that the inscription or image is applied quickly and accurately. However, maintenance is not cheap.
WORKPLACE
Equip workplace engraver is necessary with special attention, because you have to be there for hours, completing complex orders. Be sure to have a comfortable chair and a table of a certain height so that your back does not get tired. You will also need a table lamp. It is advisable to carefully and effectively arrange a showcase with samples of work, this will be a kind of advertisement for the workshop.
A price list is required. Prices for engraving work are usually set for applying one sign, about 20 rubles. In case of large orders, the price may be lower. The daily revenue of the workshop can be 2000-5000 rubles, with the use of a modern laser tool - much more.
Need to do good advertising, it is very important that as many potential customers as possible learn about the engraver's services. Announcements are given, brochures are left in jewelry, gift and souvenir shops, billboards and banners are hung out. When organizing an engraving workshop on your own, registration of an individual entrepreneur is required.
In the event that work is to be carried out for legal entities and other individual entrepreneurs, a current account is opened. This possibility should not be ruled out, such orders for engraving work are quite possible.
Documents to be filled out strict accountability. For this, a device is purchased that replaces the issuance of receipts. The receipt is valid if it contains the following details: last name, first name, patronymic, position, signature of the person who issued the document, payment amounts in rubles, name, number of services, name of the organization, legal form (IP), TIN of the organization, numbers, dates issuance. The most important thing is to take the first step and everything will work out!
