Co2 Laser power

[oneeye]

Hi all , i have cnc router and i want buy a small co2 tube to install in Z axis, i found a 15w sealed co2 tube in ebay. Somebody could say what materials can i cut with this laser?, may i cut acrylic? what max thickness ?
thanks

[samakthachai]

Hi Oneeye,

I have CO2 laser machine at 60 watts power. It can cut acrylic material at thickness around 10 mm which cut only one times. If at 15 watts,It should cut around 2-3 mm per one time.How much budgets do you have? I can recommend you for laser tube if you need.


Cheers,
Samak

[oneeye]

Hi Samak, i built my cnc router cause i ve no much money and i c this tube [url]http://cgi.ebay.com/15W-CO2-Laser-Tube-For-co2-Laser_W0QQitemZ300133502410QQihZ020QQcategoryZ31470QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

i think is nice cause have low cost and only 45 cm long, i can install the tube directly in Z axis ( my machine have a big table in Z).
But any hint come from u ll b welcome.
I dont know about optic, i dont know if better i use one focal lens or tow focal lens to get a colimattor. anyway i c this lens in e bay http://cgi.ebay.com/CO2-Laser-Focusing-Optic-Lens-2-5-FL-10-6um-Cutting-NEW_W0QQitemZ150143730008QQihZ005QQcategoryZ53141QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem
thanks

[samakthachai]

Please have a look video at www.hobbycnc.hu ( at folder laser@ home)
It may increase your idea for building.

Actually, For lens. ( Co2 laser)
It should have 3 reflection lens and 1 focus len. I will advise on the later.


Regards,
Samak