Before investing in a laser machine, a live demo is a valuable opportunity to see how well the equipment fits your production.
Cutting speed and finished-part quality matter, but so do your own drawings, materials and part geometries.
Before the demo, ask yourself:
If you could test only a few parts, which ones would best represent the work your shop handles every day?
Start With Parts From Your Own Production
Some of the most useful test pieces are already in your current orders.
Choose a part you process regularly, then add one or two that usually require more work on the shop floor.
Many test drawings we receive at KEBEI come directly from active projects, including unusual end geometries, hole patterns, bevels and parts requiring several processing steps.
Using your own drawings and materials gives you a clearer view of programming, positioning, operator involvement and secondary work.
Test with the parts and geometry you actually produce.
Bring the Parts That Give Your Shop the Most Trouble
Basic cut-offs and standard holes are useful for checking the fundamentals. More complex parts usually tell you more about daily production.
A single member may include an irregular end cut, multiple holes, bevels, weld access holes, and features on both the web and flanges.
When several operations appear on the same part, watch how smoothly the programming, positioning and processing are handled, and how much work remains afterwards.
This is where unusual test pieces become especially useful.
Different test pieces reveal different processing requirements.
Follow the Whole Process
During a demo, it is easy to focus on how many seconds a cut takes.
Real production time also includes program preparation, positioning, measuring, adjustments and secondary work.
Follow the part from drawing to finished piece.
How long does preparation take? How much operator intervention is required? Can the part move smoothly into fit-up or welding afterwards?
These details give you a better picture of everyday production.
Different test pieces reveal different processing requirements.
Then Change the Part
In structural steel fabrication, the next member is often very different from the previous one.
Lengths, hole patterns, end geometries, bevels and processing sequences can all change.
After the first test piece, load a clearly different drawing and watch how programming, positioning and operator involvement change.
Then ask one practical question:
What happens when the next part is completely different?
What happens when the next part is completely different?
Make the Demo Reflect Your Production
A useful demo should help you answer a few practical questions:
Can the machine handle your regular work? How much operator involvement do complex parts require? How much preparation is needed between different parts? What work remains afterwards?
When preparing for your next machine trial, start with the jobs already running through your shop.
The most useful test piece may already be in your current order.
Specialist Machinery Sales Pty Ltd (SMS) | Trusted across Australia and New Zealand for complete and superior steel processing systems. Want to stay ahead of the curve? Subscribe to our newsletter and join our LinkedIn group to access our latest machinery portfolio, expert insights, and exclusive updates. Copyright (C) 2026 Specialist Machinery Sales Pty Ltd. All rights reserved.
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