Hi gang,
If I wanted to cut 1/8" Stainless, what power and type of laser would I need?
Hi gang,
If I wanted to cut 1/8" Stainless, what power and type of laser would I need?
Brian Robison
MetalMarkers
Epilog Mini
Rabbit 1290
Brian,
For cutting metal with laser you will need gas assist and high power, The smallest ones I have seen are 1000w with Oxygen assist for steel the cuts are not very smooth. I have seen only industrial application for Laser cutting metal. I was hoping I could cut thin sheet metal with a laser instead of photo etching but the cost and infrastructure needed did not justify it for my application.
Kim
Brian,
There are several types of lasers that can be used. 10-50w Ytterbium fiber lasers and 50-100w YAG lasers would be my first choices. Fiber lasers will run around $50K, and YAG anywhere from 50K to 80K. You can cut steel with less power, it just takes longer but the drawback is deformation of the material due to heat.
The easiest way to cut the SS / carbon steel / aluminum is with a cnc plasma cutter. the cost of a table and cutter is about 10K-15K. If you are cutting thin SS approx .125 or less a water cooling table may be required.
people like "plasma cam" and "torchmate" make systems that are good for light to medium duty cutting
[SIGPIC][/SIGPIC]Camaster Cobra 408 working table size 48 x 98
Wincnc,AspireII,PhotoVcarve,Cut3D
HX6090SE 60Wworking table 23”X36”
LaserCut 5.3
Coreldraw X3, photograV 3.0, Photozoom3
Sawmill Creek is financed in part through member contributions.
Many members just like you have found extraordinary value in becoming a financial supporter of SMC.
Brian,
If you want to cut metal for yourself. The CNC plasma is the cheapest way to go $12 to 25k. Followed by a water jet cutter $80 to 150K. Then a laser $150 to 450k. I have run both plasma and water jet cutters ( and very soon a laser). And a plasma cutter with a water table set 1/16 of an inch below the material with a fine cut tip will give a very smooth slag free cut with very little clean up. If you want to save the most money possible and still want laser cutting. Do your own 2d cad work in Auto Cad DWG format and find a sheetmetal shop with a laser willing to work with small business owners or walk in customers. Most shops will have their lasers tied up in production for big customers, but maybe with the economy slowing you might get lucky. Be prepared for $ 150.00 and hour and up for laser time.
Camaster CR410 & Epilog Helix
Prosperity, is something that business people create.......for politicians to take the credit for.
Robert, what kind of tolerances can the plasma cutter hold?
Brian Robison
MetalMarkers
Epilog Mini
Rabbit 1290
If you are determined on using a laser contact Kern lasers. They make a metal cutting CO2 laser at 200w. The tolerance on the cnc plasma cutter is as good as the laser and the quality of work turns out better with less cleanup. Waterjet turns out the smoothest and cleanest but is not cheap.
Sandee Force
A few dollars spent contributing to SMC will save you hundreds of dollars in time and materials.
Brian,
A plasma cutter should hold a tolerance of less than .03. But with proper
jigs, shims, cutting tips and controlled cooling of the part, tolorances can be alot better than .03. The size of the cutting tip and speed of the cut have the most affect on tolerances. If you use a higher amperage tip on thin metal or a slower feed rate. This will increase the amount of heat to the part and there goes your tolerances.
Camaster CR410 & Epilog Helix
Prosperity, is something that business people create.......for politicians to take the credit for.