Lasers for Cutting Fiberglass/Phenolic

[psiwaterjet]

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

[Robin Hewitt]

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

It cut perfectly.

[psiwaterjet]

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

[xjdubber]

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

[psiwaterjet]

XJ,

You cut some platics with laser?

[xjdubber]

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.

[dougie329]

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!