Laser for Aluminum

[wakeboard]

If i was going to amke a CNC router..,.but instead of the router part added a laser....how many watts would i need to cut up to 1 inch of aluminum?

[bunalmis]

Aluminum has good thermal conductivity and good reflector for the laser beam. Laser may not cut.

Try the water jet.

[Cold Fusion]

WaterJet and Laser are way too expensive for you (I have talked to him before about his budget). Stick with a good aluminum frame router.

[wakeboard]

Cold Fusion I know, this is not for me(unfortunately).....this is for someone else with a budget range of 15k-20k for making a machine.....thanks though for your consideration though....

Ummm laser jet cuts alumnum because my uncle has a trumph laser cutter(big machine) and it cuts....i don't think this person wants to go water jet because fo the water issues involved and speed!

[Hobbiest]

What about plasma?

[Hobbiest]

nevermind, 1" thick...not for any kind of a good cut with plasma.

[wakeboard]

plasma would be too unpercise!

[bcromwell]

There isn't much (Besides mills) that will cut 1" AU for a budget of 20K or less...

Leaveing off the issues of refelection, it would take atleast a 350watt co2 laser or MORE, my estimates

[wakeboard]

um if the budget can up to 50k?


Would that be better?

[balsaman]

We use YAG lasers to cut steel at work. 2000 watts. About $400,000 each.

Eric

[Hobbiest]

AU is gold. (hehe)

[wakeboard]

Ya, my uncle cut aluminum, steel, you name it with laser cutter and he got really expensive machines!