Laser Cutting

[epilot]

Since there is no separate section for laser cutting I though I would start a thread here.

Just curious if anyone else has a laser or access to one?

I have a G. Weike LG6040N with a 80W RECI tube. I bought it for production work, mainly marble machine kits. However I also use it for hobby stuff such a Depron plane kits. At the moment the laser is moth-balled as it';s on the Faroe Islands and I';m in Germany    Once my contract here is over I will probably have a go at cutting my own multi rotor frames from plywood and acetal. I';m happy to share any drawings I make as long as people don';t intend to use them commercially.

[flybywire]

Hey epilot!  Yes, I have access to a Denford Versa laser, which I';ve used for mainly prototyping.  A very nice piece of kit, although I think the gas needs replacing/refilling!

I have used Acetal, although due to my inexperience with such materials, I think I may have bought ';copolymer'; as opposed to ';homopolymer'; by mistake!  I believe the homopolymer will be a little harder maybe?  Anyhow, it cuts very nicely, so I look forward to making some wonderful things from it once I find a decent source of 3mm.
Actually, I have found such a source, but it';s in the states.  Prices seem reasonable tho, a 1ft x 2ft piece of 3mm Delrin Hpolymer knocks out at about $20 if I remember correctly.
Happy to share files!   

[epilot]

A couple of UK suppliers:

http://www.directplasticsonline.co.uk/Acetal_Sheet.html
http://www.plasticstockist.com/Acetal-Sheet.aspx

[flybywire]

Yes, I found those.  It';s the POM H I believe, but it';s all way too thick!  I would need 3mm or 4mm.

[epilot]

Unless you plan to  build very large multi rotors I don';t think it makes much difference. AFAIK the difference in properties is less than 10%.

[davejavu123]

Yup I got one

[epilot]

I plan to add a CNC router and possibly also a 3D printer to my workshop. After this contract is over I need to make some money from my own business again. I won';t be going into the multi-rotor market though.

[philtrum]

I want to get a lazer cutter, so any recommendations would be welcomed

Cheers
Phil

[epilot]

Phil, what';s your budget and what do you plan to use it for? You need to spend in the region of £2500-£3000 to get anything half decent. Whilst it';s a great tool it does have its limitations as well. I mainly use mine for my marble machine kits cut from MDF and plywood. In addition to the laser you may need a chiller if you plan to run it for many hours daily and you will need an air source with a very high free air delivery (FAD) capability. You also need to have a suitable place to keep the laser. There is significant smoke/smell when cutting and you need to be able to vent that to the outside. Neighbours might not like it.

DO NOT be tempted to buy one of the £500 machines on Ebay. They are pretty useless and are normally not backed up by any warranty.

[flybywire]

The Denford is good, and has it';s own fume extraction unit, which sits underneath, and means it can be used anywhere.  I';m told it cosy about 10 grand tho, but that was a few years ago, so probably a lot cheaper now.
It does work well tho, but as i mentioned, they do need servicing periodically, which probably isn';t cheap.
That said, i watched it etch and cut out some student';s work last week, just fascinating to watch, amazing speed!

[philtrum]

Thank you both

budget is not set atm, just working out what is a viable machine and then see how to finance it, or if its financially viable

I was looking at using it for rapid prototyping quad/hex frames, alongside making some cases either the ones that allow a curved edge through many thin lazer cuts, standard box for power supplies etc for 3d printers, and some acrylic for making 3d printer frames etc or other stuff

not very thick most of it, would not be doing large commercial runs (I have a supplier that does all my metal cutting etc)

Cheers
Phil

[richardg6paj]

Phil, what';s your budget and what do you plan to use it for? You need to spend in the region of £2500-£3000 to get anything half decent. Whilst it';s a great tool it does have its limitations as well. I mainly use mine for my marble machine kits cut from MDF and plywood. In addition to the laser you may need a chiller if you plan to run it for many hours daily and you will need an air source with a very high free air delivery (FAD) capability. You also need to have a suitable place to keep the laser. There is significant smoke/smell when cutting and you need to be able to vent that to the outside. Neighbours might not like it.

DO NOT be tempted to buy one of the £500 machines on Ebay. They are pretty useless and are normally not backed up by any warranty.

OOOO! EPILOT tell me where to get a decent or half decent Laser for £2500-£3000. I';ve got 6 grand to spend on a decent laser and can';t even find a decent used one. 

Richard

[epilot]

Your definition of decent may wary but I do serious production work on a laser I imported from China. In total the setup has cost me around £3000 (no VAT as I was VAT registered when I bought it). See my first post for more info.

If you don';t want to do your own import and need the support of a local supplier then you are looking at just over £4K. This machine is capable of doing production work:

http://www.justaddsharks.co.uk/greyfin-a2-laser-cutter/

Always get as big a machine as you can afford and have room for. You always find uses for a laser where more cutting area would have been nice.

[flybywire]

Phil, if you can run to it, they are a prototypers dream!  Ours cuts up to A5 A3 size, obviously makes easy work of wood, perspex, ABS, Delrin, cardboard, paper (i saw some wicked wedding invitation cards designed & cut with incredible detail) etc, etc.
Also etches metals and CF/ G10 etc.
No blades to replace,

I think the sky is the limit, and you';d not be stuck for a decent return on your investment.

[epilot]

..Also etches metals ....

Really? You must have a very powerful and expensive machine then. Most CO2 lasers can';t do anything to metal. You need several hundred watts of power and oxygen assist for that normally.

[epilot]

I have owned several lasers over the years. When I lost my job a couple of years back and had to start my own business to stay afloat I spent my last funds on a machine similar to this one, only with a 60W tube. It paid for itself within a few months.

http://www.justaddsharks.co.uk/blacknose-a3-laser-cutter/

If you don';t need to cut big parts it';s a good machine to start with. You can save around £500 by importing one yourself but dealing directly with China is not everyones cup of tea.

[richardg6paj]

Phil, if you can run to it, they are a prototypers dream!  Ours cuts up to A5 size, obviously makes easy work of wood, perspex, ABS, Delrin, cardboard, paper (i saw some wicked wedding invitation cards designed & cut with incredible detail) etc, etc.
Also etches metals and CF/ G10 etc.
No blades to replace,

I think the sky is the limit, and you';d not be stuck for a decent return on your investment.

Andy, you didn';t mean A5 did you?

Richard

[epilot]

I struggle to believe it will cut CF and G10 as well. Lasers tend to make a nasty mess of those. Water jet or milling is the best way to cut CF and FG.

[richardg6paj]

I have owned several lasers over the years. When I lost my job a couple of years back and had to start my own business to stay afloat I spent my last funds on a machine similar to this one, only with a 60W tube. It paid for itself within a few months.

http://www.justaddsharks.co.uk/blacknose-a3-laser-cutter/

If you don';t need to cut big parts it';s a good machine to start with. You can save around £500 by importing one yourself but dealing directly with China is not everyones cup of tea.

Epilot, thanks for the info. I';m looking at an 80watt machine which should mark anodised aluminium direct and hopefully stainless steel with the appropriate coating. It has to be able engrave all laser engraving laminates and also glass etching and I also need a rotary attachment. An A3 sized machine would be ok certainly no less.

Richard

[epilot]

80W should suffice for that. You don';t really etch stainless - you burn the coating (Cermark) onto the surface. RECI and EFR tubes have a better beam quality than standard tubes and longer lifespan so I think they are well worth the extra cost. Don';t go above 80-90W if you plan to do a lot of engraving. It can be a problem to get the output low enough on higher wattage tubes for engraving. A laser tube has a strike point, below that it won';t fire. If you have, say a 150W tube, the power at strike point might be quite high. If you want to do delicate engraving then you need to compensate with engraving at a very high speed. However steppers have their limitations and going to a servo based solution is very expensive. Some machines can accomodate two tubes so you can use the lower power tube for engraving and the higher power tube for cutting.

[richardg6paj]

I think 80w would be adequate for what I want to do. Mainly engraving, glass engraving is a must. Most of the big names are using servo motors, my Roland engraving machine uses servo motors and it is beautifully smooth, quick and quiet compared my other machine driven by steppers.
But, like I said before all that I want in a laser is way above my budget at the moment. So am looking for used, ex demo, and there';s nothing about, or at least I haven';t found it.

Richard

[flybywire]

Der!  well spotted Rich!  A3 not A5 of course..

[davejavu123]

Phil, what';s your budget and what do you plan to use it for? You need to spend in the region of £2500-£3000 to get anything half decent. Whilst it';s a great tool it does have its limitations as well. I mainly use mine for my marble machine kits cut from MDF and plywood. In addition to the laser you may need a chiller if you plan to run it for many hours daily and you will need an air source with a very high free air delivery (FAD) capability. You also need to have a suitable place to keep the laser. There is significant smoke/smell when cutting and you need to be able to vent that to the outside. Neighbours might not like it.

DO NOT be tempted to buy one of the £500 machines on Ebay. They are pretty useless and are normally not backed up by any warranty.

I';ve never had any smells come of mine?? Probably due to the huge extractor I use

[epilot]

I have powerful extraction as well so no smell indoors. The cheap Ebay machines come with a woefully inadequate extraction fan so they give off a fair bit of smoke and smell and the insides gunk up quickly.

For small scale prototyping a CNC router may be a better choice. It is more versatile in some respects. It can cut a wider range of materials and can cut much thicker material as well. Plus you can do 2.5D and 3D work. Downside is you  have to contend with the radius of the cutter.