Re: Laser Engraving

I think once you are past the dark layer you are back to square one.
In general trying to cut AL is just not worth it and I think Jon's
estimated power may be on the small side for a decent cut quality
although I am not so sure for YAG.

It is strange that steel which is usually something we might shy away
from prefering instead aluminium is actually much easier to cut with a
laser. The gas that pushes out the molten metal is normally oxygen
which essentially causes the steel to burn, the burn-extringuish-burn
cycle is what produces the striations seen on laser cut steel edges.

If you are just interested in marking then you may consider one of the
special compounds that allows marking of metals with low power CO2
lasers. You will have to google these I am afraid. You may get
somewhere by using a 50W Co2 and a short focal length lens, this
reduces spot size and increases intensity.

Graham

--- In CAD_CAM_EDM_DRO@yahoogroups.com, Jon Elson <elson@p...> wrote:
>
> Carl Boudreau (pressenter) wrote:
>
> >How much power is needed to cut thru 1/8" aluminum?
> >
> >
> I'd start thinking around 1000 Watts, very generally. Aluminum
> is pretty reflective down into the IR wavelengths, and is one of
> the best heat conductors. That makes it hard to weld, too.
> So, aluminum and copper are a BEAR to cut with laser. It might
> be possible to improve the reflection situation with a dark coating
> on the face of the aluminum.
>
> Jon
>