Advice
How to calculate the ROI of a laser machine
17 August 2026
A laser machine is a significant investment for a small or medium business. Before taking the plunge, one question always comes up: how long until it pays for itself?
Good news: calculating the return on investment (ROI) is not rocket science. Here is a simple, five-step method.
1 — Add up the upfront investment
Total everything needed to produce the first part:
- the machine and its options;
- accessories (table, extraction, cooling…);
- installation, commissioning and training;
- any work on the premises (electrical, ventilation).
2 — Estimate the running costs
These are the recurring expenses, brought back to a monthly or yearly basis:
- consumables (lenses, nozzles, assist gas depending on the technology);
- electricity;
- maintenance and wear parts;
- labour to operate the machine.
3 — Quantify the gains
This is the key step, and often underestimated. A laser machine creates value in three ways:
- Insourcing: what you used to pay a subcontractor and now produce yourself.
- New revenue: services you can finally offer (marking, personalisation, cutting…).
- Time saved: shorter lead times, fewer back-and-forths with a supplier.
4 — The return-on-investment formula
The most meaningful figure for an SME is the payback period:
Payback period (months) = Upfront investment ÷ Monthly net gain
where monthly net gain = monthly gains − monthly running costs.
5 — An illustrative example
As an example, for a workshop that used to subcontract its marking:
- Upfront investment: €15,000;
- Monthly gains (subcontracting avoided + new services): €2,000;
- Monthly running costs: €400.
Monthly net gain = 2,000 − 400 = €1,600. Payback period = 15,000 ÷ 1,600 ≈ 9.4 months. Beyond that, the machine becomes a profit centre.
These figures are purely illustrative: replace them with your own.
The gains you can't put a number on (but that matter)
Greater responsiveness, quality control, independence from subcontractors, the ability to prototype fast: these benefits don't fit the formula, but weigh heavily in the decision.
Want to refine the calculation for your specific case? Request a quote or contact us: we will help you estimate the realistic return on investment of a machine suited to your business.