Moving a 900 x 600 laser engraver

[Fred Nelson]

I just bought a used 36" x 24" 80 watt laser engraver. If I move it 25 miles on a trailer, should I remove the laser tube for transport or will it be OK in the housing? Thanks, Fred

[Bert Kemp]

Not saying don't remove it , its probably best if you have a safe way to pak and transport. But I moved a 6040- 60watt from Ohio to AZ just strapped in the back of my P/U and it was fine didn't even have to re align .
Just Sayin

[Kev Williams]

IMO the safest place it can be is in the box it's mounted in-- These things seem to have a good record making it across the pond and across all our wonderful highways en route to our workshops unscathed. Seems more likely to mess it up by removing it. (would be for ME anyway)

[Fred Nelson]

Thank you Bert and Kev. The drive is on highways, no bumpy pavement. My trailer has springs, but no shocks, but travels pretty smoothly. The tube is mounted correctly with padded straps, so I think I will go for it. It will be early tomorrow before the traffic gets out too.

[Bert Kemp]

let us know how it went

[Mike Lysov]

If it uses a glass tube I would remove it and move separately.

[Darren Wilson]

I transported a 36EXT from Syndey to Melbourne in a iLoad van with no issues. Heavy unit make sure you have plenty of help to lift it!

[Jerome Stanek]

I hauled mine with the tube installed about 500 miles with no problems

[Matt McCoy]

If the tube is completely enclosed within the frame of the machine, it should be OK. If it has the bolt-on housing that extends for the tube, I would remove it.

[Rich Harman]

I left my tube installed when I moved mine. I think the main risk is when loading or unloading. If you were to drop the machine onto a hard surface the shock would be transferred to the glass tube. During transport the tube is protected from damaging shocks by the mass of the machine and the vehicle it is in.

[Jerome Stanek]

If the tube is completely enclosed within the frame of the machine, it should be OK. If it has the bolt-on housing that extends for the tube, I would remove it.

Mine has the add on extension

[Matt McCoy]

Mine has the add on extension

Oh, I would still remove it. That's how mine was shipped and it only takes 5-10 minutes. The extension housing is a tempting handle to pick up and maneuver the machine through doors. Moot point if flex is reduced by the absence of the housing.

[Scott Marquez]

I would personally leave my tube in for transport, ensuring that no wires are unsupported.
I would also take the time to secure the gantry because it will move, without power applied to the motors.
Scott

[Robert Bonenfant]

I would say remove it - It only takes one quick smack into a wall or someone to set the machine down too hard to get a $500 Replacement Tube Bill (100 watt Long Life)
It takes me 10 minutes to unbolt a tube and wrap it in a moving blanket (a quick Shrink Wrap Helps too) $500 savings for 10 minutes of work priceless lol :-)
The glass they use on these tubes are very thin. Im assuming you bought a Chinese Machine and not a speedy or something with a metal tube.

Added : Would you move a china cabinet with a $500 glass vase in it???

[Rich Harman]

The glass they use on these tubes are very thin. Im assuming you bought a Chinese Machine and not a speedy or something with a metal tube.

Added : Would you move a china cabinet with a $500 glass vase in it???

My Reci tube was surprisingly tough when it came time to break it so that I could send Reci a photo of the destroyed tube. It was not nearly as fragile as I thought.

Yes, I would move a china cabinet with a $500 glass vase in it - if said vase was securely mounted to the cabinet.