Laser cutting surface

[CNCadmin]

What can I buy that is good to laser cut on? I cut some thin material that sometimes is curved and need to get a surface that I can tape down the material and that the laser won't cut into.

[Tweakie]

Hi Paul,

Everything seems to be a compromise – If you choose something the laser will not cut into (the copper clad side of PCB material is good) then you get excellent beam reflection of a focused beam and depending on you setup and laser power this could cause damage to the lens and final mirror surface. The reflection can also cause additional heat in the kerf and possibly spoil the work, especially when working with acrylic.
A good surface that does not reflect is glass and I have had reasonable success raster cutting thin veneers taped to the surface of a 10mm thick piece. Care is needed when vector cutting as dwelling too long in any one spot can crack the glass (I have cracked a number of 3mm pieces but not cracked a 10mm piece yet).

Tweakie.

[zax15uk]

Well that depends on your equipment and laser.

If it's a low powered CO2 system, either stainless steel, aluminum or glass as Tweakie suggested would work well.

Zax.

[Laserman FLE]

Affordable yet effective are light diffusers for fluorescent lighting cut to the size needed. These produce minimal flashback and allow for fume extraction through the bottom of the cutting surface.

[SkipW]

I don't know where you would buy any, but the cutting table that came with my WK Laser 6090 is made from a steel honeycomb material that magnets will stick to. It sure makes it handy for flattening out and holding slightly bowed material.