50 Watt CO2

[kdoney]

I have a 50 Watt CO2 laser I'm thinking about putting on my cnc gantry system. Is this worth the trouble?

[paulried]

Never know until you try, but that is a pretty low wattage. Might be good for engraving

[balsaman]

50 watts is great for balsawood and light ply up to 1/4" and such. How fast is your gantry machine? I think you could go up to 300 inches a minute with 50 watts on balsa.

Eric

[HEAVY DATE]

Mine is 50watts as well, but can handle 55 if you really want to.
It will cut up balsa and ply rather fast. It will do 1/4" birch ply at about 20mm a second with no trouble.

Have fun with it!
Hans

[bcromwell]

How many watts are required for 3/8 - 1" mild steel??

[balsaman]

Generally for cutting steel you need a YAG laser and not a co2 laser. Different wavelenghts. I don't thing 50 watts will touch steel. We have cut steel where I work with 500 to 2000 watt YAG lasers.

Eric

[paulried]

We cut 1/4" plate with an 1800 watt CO2 laser. Not fast, cut it works.

[soaringtuna]

How do you setup the laser for that through balsa? What goes under so that you don't cut through your table below?

[owhite]

I cut .065" steel with my 100 watt -- although the manufacturer claims its delivering more like 250w with intermittant power.

owen

[owhite]

How do you setup the laser for that through balsa? What goes under so that you don't cut through your table below?

I'd suggest a metal grill. I used 1/8thick, 1 inch wide strips of aluminum which are available from home depot.

owen

[zoltan]

what is the price of such a laser unit, I mean that of 50 w, CO2, and what is the source of such an item, ebay, again?

[Laser Doctor]

What do you want to cut with the 50 watt laser ? What type is it ? What kind of delivery system do you want to use ?

The Laser Doctor