Does anyone have experience using lasers for cutting fiberglass, phenolic or similiar materials? We are currently using a waterjet for these applications.

Not exactly, but when I sent out some parts to be cut from half inch ABS sheet the man said it would make me about as popular as a rattlesnake in a lucky dip down in the shop because they'd have to open the big door to get the smell out :D

It cut perfectly.

Thanks, I couldn't find any mfr interested in testing it. They just want to cut metal.

laser is and plastics, is like fish and chips. They belong together

XJ,

You cut some platics with laser?

No, I personally have not go any plastics cut on a laser, but i have seen the result. because while your cutting your putting heat in to the material you get a really smooth nice cut. with clear acrylics for example when you cut it with a router (and i would imagine with a waterjet too) you have to flame torch the edges to get a nice finish on it. not so with laser. I guess it mostly depends how thick you want to go, i havent seen anything over 1/2". im not so sure about fiberglass though, that stuff is actually pretty flamable.

We have a cnc laser and have tried cutting fibreglass on it before. If you want a nice cosmetic edge its really not the thing to be using. It will cut but because of the resin in the fibreglass component you get quite a bad heat affected zone!