Laser cutting thick materials

[Dave Sheldrake]

Well, that's what I am saying, I cut 3/8 frequently with edges that at least to the naked eye, appear vertical. I don't know what 'special software' would do for you. Water jets for example can angle the cutting stream to solve angled kerf problems - if they have an articulated head. Maybe some lasers do this too - but they will be very, very expensive machines. Maybe Dave has one???

Even on the Mitsu there is still problems with very thick material brother the depth of field controls most of it and given the nature of the gaussian curve of the beam it's always a fight when it comes to thicker stuff The Mits have swapping cartridges that have all the optics in them to cope with most stuff but get to inch material and it still bends

5 axis will do it like you say...but that's in the lottery money sort of price range

[Mike Null]

In my opinion Joe Pelonio has the best solution for a perpendicular edge.

[Bert Kemp]

This may be true but for those of us that don't have a router table and flame polisher other methods need to be tried. Personally I try not to do anything over 1/8 and I work mostly with wood so if I need thicker I cut 2 and glue them together, that keeps things pretty sq on the edges .

In my opinion Joe Pelonio has the best solution for a perpendicular edge.

[Mayo Pardo]

If you want to try the multiple pass method, the Trotec Job Control software has a way to automatically adjust the focus (raising the bed) after each pass...