Re: Laser links ?

Using a CO2, I seem to remember that the cut is continuous and the
material is vaporized. A small jet of air is used primarily to remove
the vapors as they are a detriment to fine focusing, the secondary
effect of the air jet is cooling. Don't forget that the kerf is very
narrow.

CO2's typically use (but not always) external Gold Mirrors or
actually a heavily plated substrate, and have a long life, and are
not super expensive. I had a brain spasm earlier when I mentioned
Germanium Mirrors, no... Germanium is used for Lenses, although it is
a metal, it is clear at the CO2 wavelength. I noticed that there is a
Germanium Lens up for auction on eBay if one wishes to see what it
looks like.

Most commercial units use RF Excitation of the cavity, rather than
electrical discharge.

I use a local fabricator of custom electrical panels that uses a
laser to cut various shaped holes in 1/32" Stainless. He mentioned
that heat buildup is most prominent when first starting a hole. Won't
tell me anything about his laser. I suspect that it is a YAG, just
guessing.

This seems like it would be a nice business for CNC users. I just
supply a *.DXF file and in to or three days pick up the parts. It
appears that the local electronics firms keep him rather busy.

Tom M.