Yigit Turgut wrote:
> Information in this thread is misleading unfortunately. You don't need
> a gas laser to do this. They are big and heavy. There are up to 100W
> laser diodes at 808nm wavelength (IR). Interaction of wave with matter
> is divided into 3 parts which are ; reflection / absorbsition /
> scattering. When you arrange a  high power beam to an object  these 3
> events depend on the dielectric properties (aka dispersion parameters
> ; conductivity, permittivity and permeability) and the length of the
> object. This can easily be seen from Maxwell equations. The incident
> angle is also a parameter and defined by Fresnel Equations. If you set
> the angle straight and drive your laser precisely between optimum
> specs (TE cooling, beam splitting and detecting other part etc). If
> you don't need an accuracy that human eye is not sensitive (+-1mm out
> of symmetry) you can easily cut a Coke can with a 1W laser diode.
> Acrylic and 0.04 metal is a butter for a 1W laser diode.
>
> As Bob stated earlier in this thread, fiber lasers are cool and they
> can have tunable frequency outputs. This tunability  will be between
> approximately 1200nm-1700nm in communication wavelength range.Even if
> you change the source of your fiber system (put a lower wavelength
> diode) this system will not work accurately. When you have smaller
> wavelength penetration depth will be lower thus reducing the quality
> of cutting process. Also fiber cable will melt if you put a really
> high power laser diode at source side. Tunable lasers are not for
> cutting and such, they are for communications.
>
> Go and buy a 1W 808nm laser diode, they will usually operate between
> 1.8V to 2.2V. Design a simple PWM driver circuit and interface to PC
> using USB or RS232 then you will have a simple laser cutting system ;
> BOM; 50-60$
>
> On Thu, Jun 23, 2011 at 6:50 AM, Tony Smith<ajsmith1968@gmail.com>  wrote=
:
>>> At one point, I looked into getting a laser head and attaching it to
>>> my CNC mill to do my own laser cutting (mostly acrylic, but also some
>>> ~0.04"-thick metals), but could not find much info online re: what
>>> type and power of laser I needed.   One laser company (ULS)
>>> recommended their 30W all-in-one laser head for ~$4000.  I expect a
>>> coke can would require similar power.
>>>
>>> Anyway, it seems that there are some laser-knowledgeable people on
>>> this list, so if anyone knows where I can get info on different laser
>>> types and powers that I can use to cut acrylic, I'd love to know.
>>> Might pick up the search again.
>>
Could a 1w laser diode be used on a CNC mill to make printed circuit boards=
?
Roy
--=20
http://www.piclist.com PIC/SX FAQ & list archive
View/change your membership options at
http://mailman.mit.edu/mailman/listinfo/piclist
.