Laser cutting

[Klox]

What's the cutting capabilities of laser cutting? Types of material, max thickness, start holes size (if it is needed etc.)

Klox

[Laff Riot]

http://www.torchmate.com/cuts.htm

I know several ppl that run laser - I have been looking into them for engraving use. If you can give me some material types and thicknesses I can ask them.

IMO for just cutting - waterjet. for incredible defintion - laser.

[Klox]

Lets say copper, brass, aluminium, stainless steel & HSS.
The max thickness they are (willing?) capable to cut, as i understand you sometimes gets blowback of molten metal and it causes damage to the "nozzles" (not the correct term). What type of accuracy can be cut, 0.05mm / 0.1mm / 0.2mm tolerances?

Klox

[balsaman]

That can happen but they have presurized cutting heads and most are presurized with pure oxygen for cutting assist. Also they have cheap cover slides to protect the expensive optic's. You change the cover slides periodically.

Where I work we have 2000 watt lasers for cutting steel up to around 3/16" thick at high speeds (I am not sure how past, but I am guessing 200 feet/minute?

The heads are autofocusing (stay .030 away from the material regardless or material shape) and are mounted to robots. They are amazing to watch (thru laser safe glass).

Did you know that double edged rasor blades are cut out by laser?

Eric

[hardmill]

Our laser guy at work says he can cut 1." thk mild steel.

Watch your eyes

[Klox]

Thanx for the info guys!

Next question: What surface finish can one expect with laser cutting?

Next, next question: What metalurgical changes can one expect with laser cutting?

[balsaman]

The edge lookes like its flame cut but it's much finer. It's a very nice finish, but not as nice as a machined finish. Generally if you're cutting a hole, you wold burn through and lead in to the cut. I think it can harden some types of steel on the edges. I am no metalergist.

Eric

[Klox]

Thanx,
There is a company a throw stone away from me doing laser cutting. They always make out laser cutting as "humbo mumbo hush, hush, top secret". Now i know beter. I know on volume cutting it is much faster than edm, but not as accurate.....

Klox

[paulried]

Ah the old "mumbo jumbo"!

My company has two lasers (mostly used for cutting wood but we do some steel) and we got into the business in this area to dispell the mystery of the machine. They are very easy to operate and maintain. Now 15 years ago it was a different matter, but now it is more like running a cnc router.

If you want to avoid changes in your material, check out waterjet cutting. The new FLOW systems are very accurate and do not affect the surrounding material. Slower than lasers though, but much faster than EDM

[HuFlungDung]

So tell me Paul, does laser cutting a piece of wood leave a line of fire?
Do you have to wet it down first or what?

[balsaman]

It just quetly cuts along. There is a faint glow where the cutting is happening. No fire. It does a beautiful job. Very nice finish, but darkened...

[paulried]

Balsaman....you need to inject a shield of inert gas parallel with the beam during cutting and you will get a nice golden yellow color rather than black (unless you are cutting sappy wood)!

Wood cuts like cheese. If you keep the beam moving quickly enough, no fires! Took some learning.