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> On Jun 17, 2011, at 11:12 PM, Bob Blick wrote:
>=20
> 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.
>=20
>> 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)
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> 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...
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> Single diode laser is not going to cut it.
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> You can build a CO2 laser for cheap, it's old technology but it works.
> Lifespan is OK.
>=20
> Bob

What is cheap ?
99guspuppet
--=20
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