Ioline
300 / 350HF Systems

Laser Cutter

Die Cutter

Cutter type

Knife (blade)

Laser beam

Swing-arm "clicker" press

Cut quality / accuracy

Highly accurate

Clean cuts, smooth curves.

Highly accurate

Clean cuts, smooth curves. May singe or discolour edges of fabric. PVC in fabric causes problems with optics. Laser wattage is critical to cutting power. Less expensive, under-powered lasers are unable to cut some materials and fabrics of certain colours. This is because a laser beam is made up of light and thus can reflect light when striking certain colours, thereby reducing cutting strength.

Less accurate

Clean cuts, smooth curves. Material can slip, resulting in distorted cuts and approximately 15% waste.

Design flexibility

High

Easy and inexpensive to create custom designs.

High

Easy and inexpensive to create custom designs.

Limited

Very expensive to create custom designs. Must purchase a new die for each design.

Kiss-cutting

Yes

Up to 9 layers

Possible with some models

Fabric colour can impact cut quality. Laser beam must be adjusted before cutting each layer, adding production time.

No

Cutting area
(W x L)

18 x 30 in
61 x 92 cm

16 x 12 in*

41 x 31 cm

* Larger sizes available at higher price points

12 x 12 in*

31 x 31 cm

* Larger sizes available at higher price points

Approx. dimensions
(W x L x H)

24 x 36 x 12 in
(61 x 114 x 31 cm)

15 x 19 x 4 in and larger
(37 x 48 x 10 cm)

19 x 12 x 13 in and larger
48 x 31 x 33 cm

Hourly production capacity (throughput)

700 3 in. letter "E"s

Varies by manufacturer, laser power and available cutting area

Varies by manufacturer

Digitizing software

Included free

301 digitizing software

None

None

Stitch editing capabilities

Yes

No

No

Sew disk capabilities

Yes

No

No

Approx. retail cost

$7,000 - 9,000

$10,000 - $75,000
(plus cost of building modifications & ventilation system to meet safety codes).

$3,000 - $12,500 and up

Approx. installation costs

None

Installation is identical to that of an office printer and thousands of dollars less expensive than a laser cutter to install and maintain.

Varies

Air filter kit ($2,000 - $3,000) or building modifications (typically $200 - $500) required for ventilation to exhaust dangerous fumes; $300 to $1,500 for inside filters; Installation of a regulated power source, Class I safety enclosure for CO2 laser beam; Class 3R for red laser pointer.

None

Approx. cost of digitizing software

FREE

$2,500 - $9,000

$2,500 - $9,000

Approx. cost of design software (optional for producing custom vector art)

$100 - $700

$100 - $700

$100 - $700

Approx. periodic service costs

None

$800 to $7,000 to replace laser tube with an average of $2,500 (every 3-5 years, typically)
Other periodic maintenance: lens adjustment, weekly lens optics cleaning to remove residue caused
by fumes; Belts and bearings serviced every 6 to 18 months. Replacement filters: $200 - $300.

Cost varies

Periodic sharpening and replacement of dies as they wear out. A 3-inch letter "E" runs about $60 for the die.

Approx. other Costs

Blades ($15 ea.),

sticky sheets ($13 ea.), backing ($3 per yd.)

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Learning curve

Learn in an hour

3 to 5 days initial training; 90 days to get fully up to speed.

Learn in a few hours.