Laser Wanted

[Paul_P]

Where can I find just a laser without all the other gubbins?

I'm looking to add a laser cutter onto my CNC machine but I dont want another bed or anything else, just the laser cutter (or the tool so to speak)?

Anyone able to point me at some companies I'm missing?


Googling laser cutters/laser diodes and anything laser related seems to yield results only for full setups and not the cutting tool!!!



PS. The laser is to cut up to 3mm plywood so not sure what wattage is required.

[KTP]

Synrad has just the laser they will sell you. Check out the Firestar line which are very compact for the power output (below 60 watts they are mostly air cooled also).

www.synrad.com

[zax15uk]

Synrad would probably be the #1 choice, but you can also try Rofin.

They have a UK office and website: http://www.rofin.co.uk/

Zax.

[Litografa]

My advice do not try Coherent Deos (especially used tube manufactured in 2004-2006). Synrad is best choice!
May be not bad solution for you will be chinese glass tube - cheap and available from local suppliers with warranty.

[lamicron]

I cut 3mm plywood at 10mm/sec with a 70w chinnese tube, and with a 50mm Focal length lense. Can cut also 10mm MDF at 3mm/sec
Luis

[greenbeetle]

hey guys! I am looking for a laser tube 80 watts for my machine . . the tube keeps breaking on me. do you guys know anyone selling laser tubes for a wuhan sck1290 laser machine. Apparently the one who sold me the machine has no technical support whatsoever. . . .any help would be highly appreciated!

[cvriv.charles]

Quick questions.

About how much wattage to cutt through 1/4" steel?

What about 1/16" aluminum? Wattage?

How much do you think each of these tubes would cost?!?! Im curious.

[CNCZILLA]

If you are talking about 1/4" steel you won't do that with anything mentioned here. You will need at least a 2500 watt laser to do it effectively with any speed at all but then you can go up to 1/2" easily. Don't limit yourself to a laser that will only barely cut what you want. Hopefully you will one day expand so get a machine that you can grow a little with. I am not aware of a "bolt on" resonator for a cnc to cut 1/4" steel but maybe there is. If there is i wouldn't trust it to be of high class. If you are going to be cutting steel of 1/4" or more you need a full out laser cutter to be efficient. They are expensive but they will amaze you. If you decide this is what you want then keep this name in mind, TRUMPH. They are hands down the best on the market for laser cutters and anyone who has delt with this level of laser cutting will echo this if they have any experience at all. They are of course expensive but you dont get a cadillac for cheap. Thier resonators make rofin look like sears and roebuck. Good Luck

[cvriv.charles]

Ok what about 1/16" aluminum then? I have to start somewhere. 1/4"+ steel is a future endeavor. Atleast now it is But realistically,... I need something that can cut through 1/16" aluminum fast. Or atleast quickly. What wattage are we talking about for that? And about how much?

I need a first laser cutter basically. It need to cut through 1/4" acrylic and 1/16" aluminum easily. I want to build this laser cutter. Most likely using tweaked MechMate plans. This will be the machine I learn on. Hopefully downt he road one day I can buy something BIG. But for now I need something smaller.

In the next few weeks I will begin building a MechMate Router. I will enter the world of CNC through that machine. After I buiuld that router I will build another so I can double my output and have a backup. AFTER those I will want to build a laser.

Im just trying to get and idea of what the laser components would cost. Just for the hell of it, what do you think the Synrad Firestar F-Series 400W laser costs? How thick could it cut in aluminum and acrylic?

[KTP]

Originally Posted by cvriv.charles Im just trying to get and idea of what the laser components would cost. Just for the hell of it, what do you think the Synrad Firestar F-Series 400W laser costs? How thick could it cut in aluminum and acrylic?

I have an older pricelist from Synrad (2007) but on that the Firestar F-400 is $55,000 and the DC supply is another $2180 (2 are required)

[cvriv.charles]

HOLY $@#%! Are you serious! If that costs about 60,000 what does a 2500w laser cost! LOL. I dont want to know. Is that a whole working machine? Meaing the table and mechanics and all. Or just the laser components to be added to a table?

Whats a reasonable laser then?!?! What about a 100w?!?! How much and can 100w cut through 1/16" aluminum at a reasonable speed?

OMG, lord,... i amost inhaled my morning coffee. LOL.

[zax15uk]

100W CO2 will not cut ANY thickness of metal, for cheap metal cutting buy a plasma system.

Zax.