cutting Carbon Fiber and Engraving Rubber

[mklb]

I'm Looking for information on a laser to both engrave rubber stem bumpers, and also cut through 1/32" and 1/16" carbon fiber sheet.

Is this possible with a small inexpensive desktop laser, or is the cutting going to require more power?

Obviously, the small cheap ones on ebay that go for $800 are attractive, but I don't know much about them. If I can do this economically, I can get there, but if it's going to cost too much, I'll have to keep cutting the carbon fiber with a router.

Thanks in advance for any help!

Royce Bunnell
OB Cue Shafts and OB Cues

[Tweakie]

Hi Royce,

The $800 models will not cut carbon fibre sheet.
Some rubber compounds engrave OK others just get messy so you would have to do a trial piece to be certain.

Tweakie.

[mklb]

Tweakie,

Thanks for the info

I think they are 40 watt, so what machines would cut the carbon fiber, and what kind of power am I looking at?

Thanks

Royce Bunnell
OB Cue Shafts and OB Cues

[Tweakie]

Hi Royce,

This was extracted from a Synrad data sheet.

Cutting Carbon Fiber

Process Date: April 2002



Clean cuts were achieved on the 0.02"-thick woven carbon fiber in the photo above, using a Synrad Evo200W laser with 5psi air assist. The cuts were made at a speed of 290 inches per minute in the direction of the weave. The diagonal cut was made at a slightly slower speed, 210 inches per minute, due to the variation of the material density.

Tweakie.

[mklb]

Morn,

Thanks for your reply. I've looked at your website, briefly, and noticed that your address is listed in the US. Are you in the US, and would you or someone competent be available at that location for a few questions if I need help? I'm pretty well versed in CNC and automation, but lasers would be new to me.

Also, will it cut the carbon fiber sheets. Mostly, I would be cutting 1/32, but would also need to cut 1/16 as well. Basically, I make little round discs about .562" in diameter. I cut them from a 3x12 or 6x12 sheet. Currently I use a router based cnc to cut them.

The rubber I would cut is for a black rubber stem bumper. We make pool cues and would use this to engrave our logo in the face of the bumper. I believe the rubber is a shoreA 60 in styrene butadiene. I see many others that are done this way with the same material, so I assume it should be easy to do. I know one person who uses a 50 watt Co2 laser and has good results. It's an epilog machine and is much larger than what I'm looking for.

I am interested in your machine given it can do what I need, and it doesn't cost too much. I would also need to know that I could get some assistance if needed.

Thanks

Royce Bunnell
OB Cue Shafts and OB Cues

[mklb]

Morn

I emailed you my contact info, so please have your US representatives contact me.

Thanks

Royce