Stuff you SHOULD NEVER try to laser

[Joe Pelonio]

Here's your pic Barbara. This is a smaller version, the actual installation template was close to 36x36 and I did it in 3 pieces, taped together.

[Dave Jones]

Could you mean this
http://www.nilno.com/laser_intro/optics.html
Search the page for "polarizer"

Jeremy, actually, no, what I saw was a post on a forum somewhere that was talking about cutting different types of metals and the problems with each, with aluminum specifically being mentioned as having a big problem with reflections back through the beam path.

[John Minton]

Hello

Joe is right the beam can bounce back and were it goes and how powerful it is is anybodies guess. With the 35 watt down your risk is lower but wires and hoses could be at risk. Above 35 the risk goes up I just don't have much time with my 35 watt yet to know.

On my metal cutting lasers you better be on your toes. 10 years ago on our 1500 watt machine we were cutting copper the beam reflected off the surface went back up and cooked the focus lens. It was in 3 pcs when I took it out. When we got our 2600 watt machine we ask the service man about copper, he said that if you were not living right the beam could go all the way back into the tubes and due severe damage. On that machine the resornator is $60,000.00 not worth the risk. He also said it may never happen but it could happen 1 minute from now. On the bigger machines they have a power meter which is supposed to see the extra power and shut down but will it do it before damage ?????

Good luck

John

[Joe Pelonio]

Hello

On my metal cutting lasers you better be on your toes. 10 years ago on our 1500 watt machine we were cutting copper the beam reflected off the surface went back up and cooked the focus lens. It was in 3 pcs when I took it out. When we got our 2600 watt machine we ask the service man about copper, he said that if you were not living right the beam could go all the way back into the tubes and due severe damage.
John

John,

I contacted a local guy to cut something for me that was too big to fit in my 12"x24" laser. It was Romwark Lasermax laminated onto 1/4" black acrylic. He said they couldn't do it, because the Rowmark would melt,
on his machine with 1500 watts. Don't those have a power setting low enough for that? (had to send it to a CNC guy)

[John Minton]

Joe

I believe he is thinking that with the romark on top and enough power to to cut thru 1/4 he will mess up the romark. Can he cut the 2 pcs seperate and you bond them after. Or maybe run with romark down he will have to be very careful about flashback damage on the romark. Most people with high power lasers have not had much practice with turning their machines down low. Hope this helps If I can be of anymore help just let me know.

John

[Joe Pelonio]

Thanks, I was just curious. He said they mostly cut metal and thicker acrylic. I got really good results with the CNC, the edges are just not as nice.

[Meagan Britz]

Yes, it burns beautifully!

[Frederick Skelly]

Yes, it burns beautifully!

I noticed this thread is 14 years old.