> > You need more CO2 laser than you think to cut aluminium, even thin
> stuff.
> > It has a habit of conducting heat well (as does copper).  YAG is a
> better
> > choice for metals.
>=20
> Many years ago I had some dealings with a company that had a laser
> cutter, we needed some adapter plates made. I suggested aluminium - but
> that was the one metal they couldn't cut. We ended up with them being
> cut out of thin stainless steel.


Sounds about right.  Aluminium requires more power than steel at the same
gauge, stainless is about the easiest steel to cut.  Quite the opposite of
what you usually encounter in machining.

Even for thin gauge you are into the hundreds of watts range which doesn't
come cheap, even for CO2.  Not just the tubes, but the extras as well, eg
you need more cooling (refrigeration) which gets expensive as well.

Tony

--=20
http://www.piclist.com PIC/SX FAQ & list archive
View/change your membership options at
http://mailman.mit.edu/mailman/listinfo/piclist
.