[OP]
Member
I was reading that you cant cut vinyl (specifically LP's) with your laser because of the toxic fumes. My question is this: Is there some sort of attachment (like a knife) that goes onto the laser that would be "safe" to use? I was reading that this is what they use to get that precision cut but not sure since I haven't found anything like this for my machine.
Moderator
You'd want a vinyl plotter for doing that kind of work. Not very practical to try and make a laser do that kind of work.
Lasers : Trotec Speedy 300 75W, Trotec Speedy 300 80W, Galvo Fiber Laser 20W
Printers : Mimaki UJF-6042 UV Flatbed Printer , HP Designjet L26500 61" Wide Format Latex Printer, Summa S140-T 48" Vinyl Plotter
Router : ShopBot 48" x 96" CNC Router Rotary Engravers : (2) Xenetech XOT 16 x 25 Rotary Engravers
Real name Steve but that name was taken on the forum. Used Middle name. Call me Steve or Scott, doesn't matter.
Contributor
They make drag-knife attachments for CNC routers, if you have access to one of those.
(Main issue with the laser is the motion system: it's only designed to move the very-lightweight lens assembly, and incredibly slow in the Z-axis. Not to mention the need for custom firmware.)
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Contributor
I have not seen a laser that raises the head or lowers the table when it comes to the end of a cut....impractical. need a plotter
Mark
In the Great Northwest!
Trotec Speedy C25, Newing-Hall 350 (AMC I & HPGL), NH-CG-30 (Carbide Cutter Sharpener)
Sawgrass 400 Gel Ink Printer, CS5, 5/9/x6 CorelDraw
Member
Brandie,
You do not list what laser you own,
There is one machine I know of that can be fitted to utilize vinyl cutting function with proper knife attachment. It is Xenetech Duo laser/drag engraving machine.
As others have suggested your best option is to purchase vinyl cutter for under 1K.
Trotec Speedy 300 - 60w, with Quatro CSA-626 fume extraction
Xenetech 1625 x2,
New Hermes TX pantograph, CG4 cutter grinder
Brady Globalmark2 label printer,
Assortment of custom tooling , shears & punches, heat bender.
Software: Xenetech XOT, Corel X3, Bartender label software
So...I have never seen a vinyl cutter operate. Is it capable of going through something as dense/firm as an LP record? Seems like they were meant more for the type of vinyl used in signs?
If an LP is too heavy for that kind of cutter, would a CNC be more appropriate?
Brandie, if you are not doing these in volume, would a modest size scroll saw do the job? Much less expensive than a laser or CNC. Just a thought.
Dave
900x600 80watt EFR Tube laser from Liaocheng Ray Fine Tech LTD. Also a 900x600 2.5kw spindle CNC from Ray Fine. And my main tool, a well used and loved Jet 1642 Woodlathe with an outboard toolrest that helps me work from 36 inch diameters down to reallllllly tiny stuff.
Moderator
Good catch Dave! I missed the "LP" part. A vinyl plotter won't cut a record, no.
Lasers : Trotec Speedy 300 75W, Trotec Speedy 300 80W, Galvo Fiber Laser 20W
Printers : Mimaki UJF-6042 UV Flatbed Printer , HP Designjet L26500 61" Wide Format Latex Printer, Summa S140-T 48" Vinyl Plotter
Router : ShopBot 48" x 96" CNC Router Rotary Engravers : (2) Xenetech XOT 16 x 25 Rotary Engravers
Real name Steve but that name was taken on the forum. Used Middle name. Call me Steve or Scott, doesn't matter.
Contributor
A plotter won't do LP thick vinyl like posted above but if you do some searching here about plotters.... You will find posts that they paid for themselves a few times a year in projects... Might be something to add to your wish list. And get one that can read registration marks too... as you might get into stickers at a later time and having the ability to read registration marks will be half the battle.
As for the LP Records... if that is what you are doing? A CarveWright is a HOBBY Wood CNC machine that might work for you. I use it to cut plastic as it has a 14.5 inch wide bed. You will get a lot of BOO HISS about the CarveWright but the growing pains are over.... it is a very reliable machine today. Worth a look, they have a forum.
Good Luck,
AL
1 Laser, 4 CarveWrights, Star 912 Rotary, CLTT, Sublimation, FC7000 Vinyl, 911 Signs, Street Signs, Tourist Products and more.
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Member
Brandi:
CNC would be the way to go.
http://www.designboom.com/design/vin...ds-02-21-2014/
Watch the video. It's pretty interesting.
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