Laser Cutting

[nalaser]

Which one is better 2D or 3D laser cutting?

[pro70z28]

Kind of a trick question. There is no "Z" axis /3d control, on a laser machine. You can control the on/off of the laser beam to burn hotter in some places and less in others to simulate 3d engraving with a laser, but true 3d is a term more suited to a CNC machine.

[GeneMpls]

The US built machines are actually quite good at 3D- Chinese glass tube lasers will do it but not as well. This is a sample put out by Kern laser in my home town in Minnesota, they are about 2" each and *very* highly detailed. 31636

[pro70z28]

Didn't say a laser can't do 3-d work, just that a CNC is better suited in most cases.
I do laser engraving, however when I need to remove a lot of material, the CNC is the machine I go to 90% of the time. Just depends on the job. If the job requires deep cuts, the CNC is the way to go. A CO2 laser looses it's focus the deeper it goes. The more out of focus, the less power it has. Again, I'm talking in generalities. Both will do 3d, just a matter of which is more practical for a given job.

[GeneMpls]

Yep... the right tool for the job. A mech engraver would be hard pressed to engrave the text on the canopy or the ivy leaves on the building. I love lasers, what do you have? I also had a '70 Z-28, is yours an early or late version? Gene

[pro70z28]

Mine is a 100W BossLaser Running RDworks software and PhotoGrav to convert photos. Lasers are great, but I had to defer to the CNC for this job..

[pro70z28]

My Camaro is sort of a hybrid '70. A work in progress that's gone dormant lately. Too many projects, too little time.

[GeneMpls]

Very nice [signs and car]. I took a class from Dan Sawatzki and a couple others a couple years ago, very interesting and learned a lot but I am 72 and just sold my signshop this year so I can make stuff for me for a change. I finally have the tools and skills to do what I please.

[bleeth]

Hey Gene:
Were you in Indiana at the 3d class?

[pro70z28]

Thanks Gene. I'm 65 so I'm starting to lean towards getting personal projects done too. I've got stuff around here that's been on the list for too long.

[GeneMpls]

Not sure if it was the 3rd class- Dan and Peter P. and the young couple who kinda double teamed us [god I am getting bad with names]. I remember the guy from Germany, I see him in Sign Craft often. I had to explain what 'dipshit' meant to him, I will spare the guilty party's name. I was there with Wayne Saumer who is a genuine artist and we had a good time. Gene

[GeneMpls]

I was looking thru some old memory cards today to do a print my new Prusa and ran by these old pix from Indiana- Dan giving a very impromptu class with Wayne watching, and then Wayne's creation when we got back. I did some of the design and routing- all creativity is Wayne. Also a model of a cartoon racer by the husband and wife team [as I recall].3165331654

[bleeth]

Mr Oree Laser.
Advertisements for your companies products belong in the for sale section.
Thank you.

[bleeth]

Yeah Gene:
That was the one I was at. Great fun and learned a lot.

[GeneMpls]

I agree- I am heavily into the laser now- much easier and quicker for some things than the CNC. I have been retired for 8 years but I am finally approaching being good at it. Sold my business and mostly play with all my new and old equipment. Life is good. Gene