Factors that limit cutting bed size

[curriergroh]

I'm frustrated that the cutting area of laser machines is so small.
So I wanted to ask, what are the factors limiting the expansion of the cutting area?

I'm just guessing, as I have just started learning about laser cutters, that it is related to:

total linear distance the laser is traveling or laser power
frame tolerances impacting laser alignment

I have looked at the laser build 2.x and full spectrum's lasers.
Ideally I would want to build a laser cutter with a cutting area of 48" x 48".
Is that possible. Perhaps just adapting the 2.x build, modifying the frame, perhaps using larger profile extrusions and motors?

Thanks for the physics lesson forum people.

[Rodney Gold]

You will find that in most likelyhood the issues you will faced is loss of power as the beam has to travel further and trying to maintain a very close tolerance with respect to the laser head to table/workpiece distance.
If you didnt use a flying head system and had a laser mounted directly to the y axis cross beam that traverses across , you would have less issues... but it would be real slow to engrave and to cut.

[curriergroh]

How do I know what linear distance a beam of a given power can travel?
40W?
60W?

Is this really not about power, but rather beam spread?
How is beam spread controlled on larger machines?

Mounting the tube to the gantry shorten linear distance and makes alignment easier. What are the drawbacks to this approach?

[jharvey407]

Originally Posted by curriergroh I'm frustrated that the cutting area of laser machines is so small. So I wanted to ask, what are the factors limiting the expansion of the cutting area? I'm just guessing, as I have just started learning about laser cutters, that it is related to: total linear distance the laser is traveling or laser power frame tolerances impacting laser alignment I have looked at the laser build 2.x and full spectrum's lasers. Ideally I would want to build a laser cutter with a cutting area of 48" x 48". Is that possible. Perhaps just adapting the 2.x build, modifying the frame, perhaps using larger profile extrusions and motors? Thanks for the physics lesson forum people.

I'm going to be watching this thread. I am looking at building the same laser with a 36" x 48" cutting area, and I've had the same questions.

Any information I can find I'll contribute to the thread.

I've actually considered buying a laser and performing some experiments.

[trwalters001]

Hi All,

Mine is 6 feet square...

buildlog.net • View topic - 20 Years in the Making...

Works great at any position.

Tim

[jharvey407]

Originally Posted by trwalters001 Hi All, Mine is 6 feet square... buildlog.net • View topic - 20 Years in the Making... Works great at any position. Tim

Thanks for the link. I took a quick look, but will be studying in more detail.