Financing and ROI for a First Laser Machine
A simple way to model whether a laser cutting machine pays for itself, before you talk to a bank.
Before financing, work out the numbers. A machine that cannot pay back in three years is a hobby, not a business decision.
The basic model
Annual saving = cost of the work you currently outsource (or do slower) minus machine running cost minus operator cost minus maintenance. Then compare the annual saving with the machine price.
The hidden costs
- Installation, power supply upgrade and floor preparation.
- Gas supply (a nitrogen generator can be a separate purchase).
- Operator training and ramp-up time.
- Service contract or spare parts reserve.
The hidden benefits
Faster quoting, less dependence on a subcontractor, and the ability to take jobs with short lead times. Those are real but harder to put in a spreadsheet.
Industry media such as The Fabricator regularly publish shop-floor ROI case studies. For a cost model, see the cost per hour guide.