Professional CO2 laser table: Why choose LightSpeed over a low-cost machine?
Whether you need precise engraving, fast cutting, or high-volume production, discover how Gravotech's new LightSpeed answers your requirements.
Low-cost laser machines are attractive on price. But that low price comes with limits: slower production, inconsistent quality, safety risks, frequent breakdowns, and daily adjustments that eat into your time.
Gravotech is a global leader with over 80 years of experience and a presence in 77 countries. To meet demanding business needs, Gravotech created LightSpeed, its new generation of professional CO2 laser tables. Designed for intensive daily use, LightSpeed offers a different approach from entry-level machines: higher productivity, reliable results, and an operating environment built for professional production.
What is the LightSpeed laser?
LightSpeed is Gravotech's new line of CO2 laser tables. It's positioned as the successor to the LS series.
This isn't an update to the existing machines. It's a completely redesigned product line, built from the ground up around two priorities: productivity and ease of use.
Who is this for?
LightSpeed was built for professionals: industrial signage, architectural signage, item personalization, object creation, or mass engraving. Whatever the application, it's designed to be a reliable, everyday tool rather than an occasional one.
It's CE-certified and available in a Class 1 version that operates as a stand-alone device.
What are its unique features?
Two numbers sum it up: an engraving speed of 3.5 m/s. The result: LightSpeed runs 6 to 10 times faster than a low-cost machine. In mass production, that speed difference translates directly into profitability.
LightSpeed includes advanced hardware and software features that simplify daily work:
- G-Screen: an intuitive touchscreen interface that allows operators to control jobs directly at the machine without back-and-forth steps.
- G-Eye: a positioning camera that precisely aligns artwork on materials, eliminating setup errors and reducing material waste.
- Click Lens & Quick Switch table system: tool-free lens and bed changes that allow fast transitions between different materials and applications.
- Job manager: Gravotech's dedicated software and job queue system optimize production workflows and streamline file preparation.
What are the limits of low-cost lasers?
Low-cost laser engravers have one main advantage: the price because of low-quality mechanical and optical components, limited performance… But that price comes at a cost elsewhere: slower production speeds, potential limits in engraving detail, and more frequent maintenance needs. Most use a fragile, low-quality laser source, offer little or no technical support, and, sometimes, fall under the strictest safety classification (Class 4), which limits where they can even be installed.
Low-cost lasers are good for occasional or creative projects, but not built to carry a real production workload.
Why does LightSpeed outperform entry-level machines?
Speed & Quality
LightSpeed runs 6 to 10 times faster than low-cost machines, at 3.5 m/s with 4G acceleration. It delivers measurable business benefits: it drastically reduces cycle times, increases daily output, and maximizes profit margins. This difference becomes particularly significant as production volume increases.
That speed doesn’t come at the expense of quality: the engraving remains precise, sharp, and reproducible from the first piece to the last, whether for industrial signage or high-end personalization.
Engraving and cutting example
| Tested machines (same job) | Execution time |
| LightSpeed 300 | 12 minutes |
| Low-cost laser machine | > 1 hour |
User experience
LightSpeed was designed with a focus on ergonomics. The machine features a touchscreen, engraving dedicated software Gravostyle™, and a positioning-assistance camera, simplifying daily operation, allowing users to set up jobs faster, minimize errors, and reduce training time. This minimizes the learning curve and reduces user errors.
In addition, laser parameters for Gravotech engraving materials are pre-saved in the software, so the machine is ready to use without requiring daily recalibration. The accessories (rotary device, lenses, exhaust systems) follow the same principle: they are quick and easy to install or replace, even for a less experienced operator.
ROI and reliability
A professional laser like LightSpeed delivers a strong Return on Investment (ROI) by saving time and costs at every production step: faster engraving, quicker setup, and fewer rejected parts directly increase daily profitability.
Reliability is essential to this ROI. Gravotech machines operate with a metallic CO2 laser source (RF source) that is highly reliable. Its service life is approximately 10 years, compared to 2 to 3 years for glass-tube laser sources (DC source) commonly used in low-cost machines.
This lifespan gap widens further depending on your usage. Under intensive, continuous production, glass tubes degrade even faster. This is particularly problematic when you consider that the laser source is generally the most expensive component to replace, and is often not covered by the warranty.
LightSpeed also comes with after-sales service (around the world through our 16 locations and more than 300 partner distributors) from day one: repairs, training, consulting, and follow-up. And since it is Class 1 certified, it can be installed directly in a professional setting or in customer-facing areas.
While the LightSpeed requires a higher initial investment, it delivers a much lower Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) over time compared to entry-level machines.
Summary: The benefits of LightSpeed
Target | Professionals, businesses |
Speed | 3.5 m/s, 4G, 6 to 10 times faster than the competition |
Engraving quality | Precise, clear, reproducible |
Laser source | RF laser source, metallic and air cooled, |
Safety | Class 1, no extra protective equipment needed |
Settings | Performed in advance, machine ready to use |
Accessories | Ergonomic, easy to change, lens change, table change, rotary device |
After-sales support | Repair, training, consulting, and follow-up included |
Reactivity of after-sales support | Rapid response |
Total cost | Higher initial investment, better ROI over time |
Entry-level laser engravers are an excellent way to discover laser technology or produce occasionally. What professionals actually need is a machine that holds up over time, delivers precise, consistent engraving, meets safety standards, and comes with real technical support when something goes wrong.
Gravotech is a global leader with over 80 years of experience. Seen that way, LightSpeed isn't just a faster laser table. It's a smart investment, one that protects your production and your margins for years to come.
Want to see what it can do for your business?