On Sat, 18 Jun 2011 16:13 +1200, "RussellMc" wrote:
> Looking for a way to most easily, cheaply, quickly, ... cut
> alumin[i]um  softdrink cans (Coke, Pepsi, ...) into two pieces with a
> "vertical" cut. ie left with two U shaped pieces when viewed from top.
> No specs on amount of deformation or roughness of edge etc. Target -
> two half barrels which are not obviously rough edged or deformed.

> LASER cutting an obvious choice.
> How much power needed? (focus, conductivity, ...)
> Could a properly focused DVD writer LASER be used (bursts balloons but
> seems unlikely)

Lasers are great. A ten watt fiber laser is about minimum for aluminium.
Twenty is much better. Cheap to use, they are pretty efficient. Not so
cheap to buy, but if you are doing thousands of cans...

Single diode laser is not going to cut it.

You can build a CO2 laser for cheap, it's old technology but it works.
Lifespan is OK.

Bob


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