Laser machining
Moderator: Harold_V
Laser machining
I have searched several metalworking forums and haven't found laser machining being addressed toward the amateur machinist. Is this because laser machining is beyond the capability of the amateur due to cost? I would like to be able to cut aluminum up to 3/8" thickness on a CNC router. Is this possible for the amateur to do? Would such a laser be able, also to cut other materials, such as plywood and plastics? I've heard of people using lasers from CD players and laser pointers to cut through paper.
Mr.Ron from South Mississippi
Re: Laser machining
Rick
“We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give." Sir Winston Leonard Spencer Churchill (1874-1965)
"Peace is that brief glorious moment in history when everybody stands around reloading". Unknown
Murphy's Law: " If it can go wrong it will"
O-Tool's Corollary: "Murphy was entirely too optimistic"
“We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give." Sir Winston Leonard Spencer Churchill (1874-1965)
"Peace is that brief glorious moment in history when everybody stands around reloading". Unknown
Murphy's Law: " If it can go wrong it will"
O-Tool's Corollary: "Murphy was entirely too optimistic"
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Bill Shields
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Re: Laser machining
As for doing it yourself.....it's a bit much for the 'home hobbyist'.
The cost of the cutting head / optics etc; is way more than anyone could justify for home use.
It's not like you can go to your local welding supply store and get a used 'light sabre' and hook it up to an XY table and have at it.
The cost of the cutting head / optics etc; is way more than anyone could justify for home use.
It's not like you can go to your local welding supply store and get a used 'light sabre' and hook it up to an XY table and have at it.
Too many things going on to bother listing them.
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hammermill
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Re: Laser machining
here is some differences
150 w commerical
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e9BvPeAm ... re=related
and here is a homebuilt paper cutter using a blue ray solid state diode of around 150 mw
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iEUGbagf5-4
lastly here is a set of posting on one persons approach to building one version.
http://www.buildlog.net/cnc_laser/index.php
lastly several of the lazer show guy have been using retired medical lazers. as things have improved so have the needs
10 years ago they needed 208 3 phase 200a service just for the lazer.it also required water cooling of the lazer
this year power is down to 60amps at 208 volts
single phase.
i understand that a plasma pulse has to blow a hole in the material before the lazer cut starts you can kind of hear this in the commerical units video.
150 w commerical
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e9BvPeAm ... re=related
and here is a homebuilt paper cutter using a blue ray solid state diode of around 150 mw
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iEUGbagf5-4
lastly here is a set of posting on one persons approach to building one version.
http://www.buildlog.net/cnc_laser/index.php
lastly several of the lazer show guy have been using retired medical lazers. as things have improved so have the needs
10 years ago they needed 208 3 phase 200a service just for the lazer.it also required water cooling of the lazer
this year power is down to 60amps at 208 volts
single phase.
i understand that a plasma pulse has to blow a hole in the material before the lazer cut starts you can kind of hear this in the commerical units video.
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Bill Shields
- Posts: 10529
- Joined: Fri Dec 21, 2007 4:57 am
- Location: 39.367, -75.765
- Contact:
Re: Laser machining
Some lasers can blow their own holes.
the problem is especially severe with reflective materials. (think about it).
Mitsubishi pioneered this many (20?) years ago.
What they do is go 'out of focus' a bit and 'damage / soften' the surface, then pop through.
They then go in-focus to continue to cut.
the problem is especially severe with reflective materials. (think about it).
Mitsubishi pioneered this many (20?) years ago.
What they do is go 'out of focus' a bit and 'damage / soften' the surface, then pop through.
They then go in-focus to continue to cut.
Too many things going on to bother listing them.