Hi Neil,

Fiber lasers are very cool for smallish lasers that can do lots of
different materials. They are very controllable, and by changing the
frequency and pulse width you can tune them for the material you're
cutting. Price is about triple what you've been quoted for what is
probably a YAG. But I have no idea about cutting acrylics.

Cheerful regards,

Bob


On Wed, 22 Jun 2011 19:35 -0700, "PICdude" <picdude3@narwani.org> wrote:
> In the past couple years, I've looked into laser cutting metals and =20
> spoken with several companies about this.  Many don't do metals, and a =20
> few wouldn't do "red metals" (copper, bronze, brass).  I did =20
> eventually find a company that laser-cut brass for me though.
>=20
> At one point, I looked into getting a laser head and attaching it to =20
> my CNC mill to do my own laser cutting (mostly acrylic, but also some =20
> ~0.04"-thick metals), but could not find much info online re: what =20
> type and power of laser I needed.   One laser company (ULS) =20
> recommended their 30W all-in-one laser head for ~$4000.  I expect a =20
> coke can would require similar power.
>=20
> Anyway, it seems that there are some laser-knowledgeable people on =20
> this list, so if anyone knows where I can get info on different laser =20
> types and powers that I can use to cut acrylic, I'd love to know.  =20
> Might pick up the search again.
>=20
> Cheers,
> -Neil.

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