Forget 3/4" standard plywood and 50W lasers. Forget "amateur" O2 assist. You are not first who is trying to do "magic". Both - in business/production meaning.
I am working out a build for a 50w co2 laser to make lamacoids. Them seem to want 40-60w to cut/engrave nicely, But I also want to be able to cut 3/4" plywood, Acrylic, and maybe even thin aluminium with o2 assist.
A 50w tube is pretty reasonably priced, and two are still significantly less than a single 80w even. So is it possible to stack or link or somehow double up lasers? or even 3? Run only one for the lamacoids and then more for cutting?
I am really trying to keep my costs down. Thanks for any help.
PS, this is lamacoid material I plan on using. I am a little surprised a 5w diode laser wouldn't work for it.
https://www.engraving-supplies.ca/la...c/trolase.html
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Forget 3/4" standard plywood and 50W lasers. Forget "amateur" O2 assist. You are not first who is trying to do "magic". Both - in business/production meaning.
Polish @ Éire
Short answer - in practice NO. You could not keep them both in focus on exactly the one spot.
If you are trying to be commercial, buy commercial gear.
Cheers
Roger
I'll be making 5-10 lamicoids (1"*3" for the most part) a week, they are cheap, but the turnaround and hassle getting them has me looking at other options.
And cutting wood and maybe aluminum is just because I might as well if it's cost effective enough.
If I can find a deal on a 150w that would be ideal.
You mean something like this? https://www.aliexpress.com/item/Ruid...792034746.html - It is really risky to do O2 installation by your own. Not because I'm jealous, but I don't want to hear about burnt or killed people. By the way - do you know O2 pressure and consumption level of laser cutters? This is definitely NOT low-budget solution. Some companies use own O2 production line due cutting costs. Back to 2 lasers: There was solutions which was using 2 lasers beams - one from top and one from down - but synchronize mechanic and holding material was only one part. There is influence from one laser to the other and you can expect overheating and damage of laser internal mirrors and lenses. If you still decide to make this machine - can I come back to you after one year and ask/publish results? It will be interesting.
Polish @ Éire
Suggest you look at prices at Lightobject. They have several 80W tubes for less than the cost of two 40W tubes and even a Reci 80W for a good price. Add in the price of two small power supplies vs one larger one and you are much better off just getting a larger tube.
Here is the link to their page.
Laser Tubes
delete... see below
it is my understanding that CO2 cannot be used to cut aluminum. mild and stainless steel... yes. aluminum...no. if you want to cut num num..you'll need a YAG laser.
also 150W single will barely go through 3mm steel.
http://www.cnczone.com/forums/genera...46502-cnc.html
Last edited by SignWave; 10-11-2017 at 12:30 PM.