Re: (was cutting fabric ? now LASERs

--- In CAD_CAM_EDM_DRO@yahoogroups.com, "skykotech" <rick@...> wrote:

>
> > I did see a 30 watt Covad CO2 laser on e-bay about a year ago.
> lost it
> > as it went past $1,250.00 As i was to understand, it was
> complete so
> > I could mounted it on my Z and be done.
> >
>
> You could probably get by with a 10 watt Synrad, as they usually put
> out 15+ watts when in good shape. There is one on ebay right now
> but it is overpriced...There was a buy-it now one a month or so ago
> that went for $699 and was doing 15 watts...I already have one
> gathering dust so I didn't bid on it :-)
>
> Of course if you just had to cut at 1200IPM, you would want 50 or
> 100 watts, but with 15 watts you could probably do 60 to 90IPM
>
> If I have time I will try and shoot a short video cutting rayon (if
> I can find a piece around the house) at 90IPM and tell you what
> power level it took (right now I have a 50 watt mounted to my cnc
> mill).
>
> Rick
>

I have watched threads about LASERs in the past, but never paid a
whole lot of attention.

If I stick with cloth, then I assume one LASER would do all the work.

I think one of the things that has kept me from looking too hard
(besides price) is that as I understand, they have a finite life and
there is no way to tell if there is an hour left or 10,000 hours.

I would assume that cutting at lower than maximum, one could get
longer life.

as for cutting, speed is not an issue. can I expect that a 10watt
will cut pretty much any fabric up to heavy denim, but that more watts
just means a faster cut ?

Dave



Dave