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Is it possible to cut metal with a more expensive laser cutter?

• auxym 10y ago
  Yes, but in most cases you'd be looking at industrial-scale machines. Better find a smaller local shop and send them a .dxf, they'll have better access to raw material anyways. Buying sheet metal in small quantities is expensive and a pain. Small laser cutters are really fun though. Other interesting materials (besides wood) that can be laser cut with good results are acrylic and delrin. Delrin has great mechanical properties but can't really be glued effectively. Acrylic cracks easily but has the advantage of being easily "welded" with some solvents (acetone can work in a pinch but isn't the best, dichloromethane is great but requires most safety precautions).
• elihu 10y ago
  Sure, but it takes a lot of power to do it and the price goes up really fast. I think once you get over about 100 or 150 watts it's possible to cut thin metals. To cut think plate steel takes a lot more. Since I've just got a 45 watt machine, I don't have any experience with metal. (I have been wondering if I can cut copper foil tape with 45 watts, but I haven't done the experiment yet.) There are other considerations besides wattage, though. Different wavelengths are better at cutting different things. I've also heard of releasing pure oxygen at the point where you're cutting helps. (Even low-end laser cutters typically use an air compressor to blow smoke out of the way and, paradoxically, prevent the material from catching on fire.) Reflectivity can also be an issue. I know someone who runs an industrial laser cutter and they avoid brass because too much of the light just reflects back and tends to damage the machine.
• deleted 10y ago
  [deleted]