Cutting Brass

[Robert L Stewart]

Is it possible to cut 2 mm thick brass and what type of Laser and power will it require? I have hundreds of numerals that
are about 2" tall.

Thanks, Robert

[Scott Shepherd]

A waterjet would be a much better tool for that job, in my opinion.

[Dan Hintz]

A waterjet would be a much better tool for that job, in my opinion.

This ^^^^^. A fiber laser strong enough to do the bulk you're talking about in a reasonable time frame would cost the same as a small house.

[Gary Hair]

This ^^^^^. A fiber laser strong enough to do the bulk you're talking about in a reasonable time frame would cost the same as a small house.

I'll take two!
https://www.google.com/webhp?sourcei...+cost&tbm=shop

[Ross Moshinsky]

A CNC router/mill wouldn't be the worst tool to do the job. You'll want the following: Rigid machine. Spindle. Proper lubrication. Proper tooling. Good hold down.

You likely can buy/build something for under $10,000.

[Scott Shepherd]

A CNC router/mill wouldn't be the worst tool to do the job. You'll want the following: Rigid machine. Spindle. Proper lubrication. Proper tooling. Good hold down.

You likely can buy/build something for under $10,000.

True, but I could send the job to my waterjet guy and have them in less than a week and not have to buy any equipment and the job would be done.

[Dave Sheldrake]

5kW Fibre
6kW CO2

Start thinking $850,000 upwards

[Jack Clague]

Out of curiosity what would a suitable water jet set you back? i know its like asking the price range on lasers but anyone here gone down the path of researching prices

[Robert L Stewart]

I'll take two!
https://www.google.com/webhp?sourcei...+cost&tbm=shop

Some of those small houses are affordable! Thanks for all the info. Was thinking a waterjet may be the way to go.
They may need tumbling after that. I have a CNC and have cut plenty of brass and alum. The issue is now to hold them down.

Robert

[Dave Sheldrake]

Out of curiosity what would a suitable water jet set you back? i know its like asking the price range on lasers but anyone here gone down the path of researching prices

$30k up Jack for a cheaper Chinese, running costs are high as is noise though

[Braden Todd]

Dang, my Kern will only cut 1mm brass. If there's a 1000 watt out there, that'd probably do it.

Good luck!

[Jack Clague]

$30k up Jack for a cheaper Chinese, running costs are high as is noise though

Not to bad, might have to add a waterjet to my lottery wish list LOL

[Dave Sheldrake]

Oxygen-cutting is preferable when cutting brass and other copperalloys with CO2 lasers. Oxygen is better suited as a cutting gas, as theoxide layer at the cut front improves absorption of the laser beam.Both low oxygen pressures of up to 6 bar (85 psi) and high oxygenpressures of up to 20 bar (300 psi) are used. When cutting brass at highoxygen pressures of up to 20bar (300psi), proper ventilation of theworking area must be provided to avoid dangerous enrichment of theatmosphere with oxygen. The maximum sheet thickness that can be cutis 4–5mm (0.16–0.20 in). Sometimes, high-pressure nitrogen is also usedto cut copper alloys.

Page 18

https://www.boconline.co.uk/internet...g410_39413.pdf

[Matt Geraci]

50 watt fiber galvo will cut 0.7 mm brass in a reasonable amount of time at 100% power but cut quality isn't great
100 watts or less is really for engraving only
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h24bxNzBYm8

For cutting you'd want 500 to 1000 watt fiber dedicated to cutting only, don't think you'd be able to do any engraving with a machine like this:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c7bhv3ynnrw

[Keith Outten]

Kern Laser Systems has some options for cutting metal with their machines.