Need Help!- CNC Router to CNC laser?

[2_jammer]

I am kicking around a idea of converting a machine that uses a router motor to a machine that uses a laser to cut out wooden shapes. I'm assuming it is possible.... Can someone point me in the right direction? I am interested in wood thicknesses of 1/4 and less. Thanks for your time.

[2_jammer]

I appreciate your reply, but I don't understand what you are saying...

[MaryB]

60 watt co2 laser should do the job you want. Some plywood's do not cut well because of the glue so you may need to experiment.

[2_jammer]

OK, sounds good- can you recommend where I can get one?

[Rodney Gold]

A laser is not the right tool to cut wood , it chars the edges, but if that isnt a concern then use one. You would be better off buying a dedicated laser to do this than trying to retrofit your cnC machine. You can get a very good 80-100watt laser with decent bed size for about $4000

[Dennis Rech]

Originally Posted by 2_jammer I am kicking around a idea of converting a machine that uses a router motor to a machine that uses a laser to cut out wooden shapes. I'm assuming it is possible.... Can someone point me in the right direction? I am interested in wood thicknesses of 1/4 and less. Thanks for your time.

Couple of things to keep in mind.
When cutting wood, there is a lot of smoke coming off the material. You will need to figure out some sort of smoke collection system. Also, when cutting, you will need a jet of compressed air to help the laser penetration and to keep the wood from bursting into flame. This jet of compressed air sort of messes up the smoke collection system. Other than the obvious safety aspects of having a enclosed metal cabinet, smoke collection is a real problem with open laser systems.
CNC routers move slow enough for cutting wood, but not nearly quick enough for engraving. Many lasers have accuracies of 0.001 inches and many CNC routers are not nearly that accurate. With the very thin laser kerfs, the difference may mean that corners do not get properly cut and lines do not quite line up. Instead of the cut parts just dropping out, you may have to break them out.
If you are using Mach 3 for a control system, I have heard that it cannot turn the laser on and off quick enough for engraving or intricate cutting.
40 watt lasers will cut soft woods like poplar and walnut at about 5 inches per minute. Oak and other hard woods need 60 to 80 watts and glued plywood mostly just smoulders because of the glue.

Once thought about doing this myself, but ended up just buying a laser and I am very glad that I did.
Hope this helps.

[2_jammer]

Thanks for all the suggestions- sounds like I better start saving up!
Rodney- you mention a machine for around 4K, can you give me the brand?

[Rodney Gold]

i bought my machines from Shenhui laser and am pretty happy, I have 6 "mainstream" type lasers and now bought 2 much lower priced chinese models ,great value for money and good service , there are other brands out there as well ,there's quite a few posts here re other marques that ppl are pleased with.

[Tweakie]

I have added a laser head to my existing wood router and using Mach3 I am able to cut and engrave reasonably well. There are a few limitations but this still remains a multi-purpose machine. Lot of work involved though.
Was it worth it ? - take a look at some of the stuff I have made and judge for yourself. Tweakie.CNC - CO2 Laser

Tweakie.

[2_jammer]

Very impressive! You give a whole new definition of "multi-purpose".
Awesome website by the way- thanks for sharing it!

[Tweakie]

Thank you for the kind words.
The website started out as a simple build log but like Topsy it just grew

Tweakie.