Author Topic: Laser cutting tiny parts  (Read 1215 times)

Offline Busted Bricks

  • Full Member
  • ****
  • Posts: 12
Laser cutting tiny parts
« on: November 26, 2021, 01:29:40 PM »
The precision of my fiber laser cutter never ceases to amaze me. These tiny parts are cut from 0.5mm stainless steel. The small holes are 0.6mm diameter.

Offline Dave Otto

  • Full Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 4693
  • Boise, Idaho USA
    • Photo Bucket
Re: Laser cutting tiny parts
« Reply #1 on: November 26, 2021, 06:25:17 PM »
I have a new fiber laser at work sitting in the crate on the receiving dock, we will un-crate it next week and move it into the shop the following week. It is a process because our shop is in the basement, we will also be removing a couple of machines that we no longer use. I'm looking forward to learning how it run it, and see what it can do.

Dave

Online crueby

  • Full Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 18555
  • Rochester NY
Re: Laser cutting tiny parts
« Reply #2 on: November 26, 2021, 06:36:44 PM »
Thats pretty impressive! How thick can it cut through metal?

Offline Admiral_dk

  • Full Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 3752
  • Søften - Denmark
Re: Laser cutting tiny parts
« Reply #3 on: November 26, 2021, 07:58:40 PM »
Quote
How thick can it cut through metal ?

I bet that this is material dependant along with Laser Power and type ....
As Stainless is a poor heat conductor, I expect a lot thicker than for instance Aluminium or Copper that are really good heat conductors, and quickly disperse with the 'Cutting Power' ....

That said - I'm curious and impressed too  :cheers:

Per

Offline Busted Bricks

  • Full Member
  • ****
  • Posts: 12
Re: Laser cutting tiny parts
« Reply #4 on: November 26, 2021, 11:11:02 PM »
Thats pretty impressive! How thick can it cut through metal?

It's a 1kW machine so can cut 10mm mild steel and 5mm stainless steel.

Offline Busted Bricks

  • Full Member
  • ****
  • Posts: 12
Re: Laser cutting tiny parts
« Reply #5 on: November 26, 2021, 11:12:37 PM »
I have a new fiber laser at work sitting in the crate on the receiving dock, we will un-crate it next week and move it into the shop the following week. It is a process because our shop is in the basement, we will also be removing a couple of machines that we no longer use. I'm looking forward to learning how it run it, and see what it can do.

Dave

Is it an engraver? Most cutters would be too big to go into a basement. Mine has a 2500x1300mm cutting area.

Offline Dave Otto

  • Full Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 4693
  • Boise, Idaho USA
    • Photo Bucket
Re: Laser cutting tiny parts
« Reply #6 on: November 26, 2021, 11:40:21 PM »
No it is a cutter, 50" X 52" work area. 1.5KW which should be fine for anything we need to do.
We have a large freight elevator with 16k lbs capacity. The 3 Haas VM2 machining centers in the shop that all came down the elevator, lots of other lathes mills etc. Most of the sheet metal enclosure had to be removed on the machining centers, we ordered them that way. The old NC punch we are removing will be fun, it weighs 8K lbs, good thing for riggers.:Lol:

This is our new machine.
https://kernlasers.com/laser-systems/fibercell/

Dave

Online crueby

  • Full Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 18555
  • Rochester NY
Re: Laser cutting tiny parts
« Reply #7 on: November 27, 2021, 12:19:01 AM »
Oooohhh... fun toy!

Offline Dave Otto

  • Full Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 4693
  • Boise, Idaho USA
    • Photo Bucket
Re: Laser cutting tiny parts
« Reply #8 on: November 27, 2021, 12:29:20 AM »
Looking forward to it, the punch that it is replacing is a 30+ year old cantankerous beast.

Dave

Offline Busted Bricks

  • Full Member
  • ****
  • Posts: 12
Re: Laser cutting tiny parts
« Reply #9 on: November 27, 2021, 10:17:49 AM »
Dave, congrats! Very nice machine. Different league from my Chinese import. Mine is 3 years old now and has a Raycus source. Never let me down so far.

I did some experiments to see how small I could go. These name tags are cut from 1mm stainless. That's a pin in the foreground.

Offline Dave Otto

  • Full Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 4693
  • Boise, Idaho USA
    • Photo Bucket
Re: Laser cutting tiny parts
« Reply #10 on: November 27, 2021, 03:38:09 PM »
That's pretty impressive, are you using compressed air for cutting? have you tried any other gases, N2, 02?

Dave

Offline Busted Bricks

  • Full Member
  • ****
  • Posts: 12
Re: Laser cutting tiny parts
« Reply #11 on: November 27, 2021, 07:54:09 PM »
Those tags were cut with N2. Since then I have bought a large compressor and use air instead. For carbon steel above 3mm I use O2.

 

SimplePortal 2.3.5 © 2008-2012, SimplePortal