Laser cutting wood

[drodda]

Anyone out there using a laser on their bot or a totally stand alone laser machine? I am looking into getting a laser and would love any feedback or help on what a good one is, or who to stay away from? There seems to be a flood of cheap made in china lasers on the market. I am wanting to cut wood up to about 3/4" and veneers also. I've read most the old posts just thought I would see if there is any new information on lasers in this knowledge pool?

-D

[nschlee]

Dave,

Cutting wood .75" thick requires quite a bit of laser power, 250 watts plus to get any kind of acceptable speed. I've got a 120 watt Universal system, we generally don't vector laser cut anything over .375" thick depending on wood hardness.

Neal
8798

[nschlee]

Forgot to mention, most of the Chinese systems have sealed glass laser tubes. These tubes are water cooled and can be very tempremental and have a short life (1000-2000 hours), if your lucky. Most of the domestic sealed laser metal tubes have 10-25,000 hour lives and many can be recharged and mounted horizontally, vertically and on a moving gantry. I've got a 10 year old Synrad 100 watt sealed metal tube with 25,000 hours and it still outputs 60 watts.

[rcnewcomb]

I believe Jim Olson (http://olsonguitars.com/shop_laser.html) is pleased with his Universal (http://www.ulsinc.com/) Laser.

According to Jim, "One of the most appealing things about the laser (unlike the CNC ) is that it is capable of cutting small parts without the need for clamping or holding them while cutting. Because the laser beam has no mass it offers no resistance, therefore delicate parts do not move when being cut. One of the more frustrating things about the laser is that it will not cut pearl or ebony."

[ed_lang]

I have a Universal Laser System M-300. My machine is a 50W with a 12" X 24" table. I can cut 3/4" Baltic Birch plywood with it but I would never say the edge quality is great. My machine cuts Christmas ornaments and Military Medallions and Wall plaques all day every day as well as another product I product. The material I cut the most is 3mm or 1/8" Baltic Birch. I have looked at a Kern laser in the 5'X 5' size. I feel the $85K for that machine would be better spend on a second Universal Laser System for my application and location to put it. I must admit that with the Kern, I could load a full sheet of Baltic Birch and let it cut the entire sheet at once. Now I have to cut my full sheets up into 12"X24" panels before I load them. The laser and the ShopBot compliment each other very will. Now if ShopBot ever puts a 50W or more laser on their machine, I'll have to have one.

[chodges]

We have a 75-watt Epilog Legend EXT, and we have been very pleased with this machine. We use it a LOT for cutting plastics needed to make signs. It really does a beautiful job on narrow pieces, like 1/2" x 12" directory strips, etc.

The only wood we have cut has been 1/4" thick, and we were not pleased with the results.

On our laser (and I suspect others), more power from the laser beam is absorbed by the top of the material than the bottom. The result is a slanted cut edge, with the top having a wider (burnt) kerf than the bottom.

If I were you, I would want to see a demonstration of the machine you pick cutting 3/4" thick wood before I spend this much money.

[mmccue29]

I have a 45-Watt Epilog. I cut 3/8 wood. mostly 1/4 or 1/8. It is a great tool to have along with the shopbot. We do small cut out letters and all kinds of things. Great add on for the sign shop. We also cut for other sign shops.

[gene]

I have a 75 watt epilog and the worst thing about it was that when the rep Scott Jackson sold it to me it when my check cleared , That was the last time i heard from him. With a doubt the worst customer service i have ever heard of. Would not EVER recomend them for anything, PERIOD....
GENE RHODES

[knight_toolworks]

the laser beam is more of an hourglass shape. so the thicker the material the worse the edge is.

[drodda]

Thanks for the information guys, Anyone know if shopbot is looking into Laser or not? Seems like a large investment for a small shop to make. Perhaps I should first look into buying laser time from someone who has an idle laser for awhile to see if laser is the right tool for my future?

The people on this forum never cease to amaze me with the anount of knowledge they have.

Thanks,

-D

[ed_lang]

Steve, you hit the nail on the head with the shape of the laser beam. That is why I focus down into the material a bit when cutting to help reduce the slant of the cut. The beam on my 2" focal lens is 0.005".