I have an SH-G350 here - 50 watts...
I have been asked if I can find out what it would take to cut our aluminum labels with. Can it be done with this machine after it has been upgraded with a higher power laser? If so, which one? I realize that the laser power supply would most likely have to be replaced by a much more robust unit. Does anyone have any suggestions for where to buy the required upgrades?
This is a link to the material we use (0.025") for labels: https://www.jpplus.com/satin-blue-025-l ... heet-11472
It seems to be rather difficult to find a chart that would tell the information that I'm asking for. Maybe I've just not been searching in the right places.
Tony
Aluminum Sheet Cutting Questions
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Anthony Dorris
- Posts: 3
- Joined: Thu May 28, 2020
- Location: Evansville, IN
- Country: United States
- Nickname: Tony
- Laser Machine Make or Type: SH-G350
- Laser Power: 50w
- Laser Bed Size: 12" x 20"
- Home Position: TL
- RDWorks Version: v8.01.18
- Ruida Controller: Other
- Windows Version: 10
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Gene Uselman
- Posts: 2180
- Joined: Thu Jul 07, 2016
- Location: Suburban Minneapolis, Minnesota, US
- Country: USA
- Nickname: Gene
- Laser Machine Make or Type: QC
- Laser Power: 130W
- Laser Bed Size: 900x1300
- Home Position: TR
- Control Software: LIGHTBURN
- RDWorks Version: RDw .19 & Lightburn
- LightBurn Version: Latest
- Ruida Controller: RDC6442
- Windows Version: Win 10 Pro
- Accessories: I have a combining lenses, pin tables [homebuilt], honeycomb tables , wireless remote, Modifed Ultimate Air Assist, home built non-powered rotary device, PrusaMK4 and Mini Prusa printers.
You can certainly engrave on the coated aluminum but you will not be able to cut it. Cutting metal would require a different head with a gas assist [probably oxygen] and I would think a lot more power than you have available.
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Tim Mellor
- Posts: 560
- Joined: Wed May 29, 2019
- Location: Shipwreck Coast, Victoria
- Country: Australia
- Nickname: beanflying
- Laser Machine Make or Type: Vollerun WR3020
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- Home Position: TR
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- Accessories: Modded and still Modding some more.
The issue with Aluminium is it is almost completely reflective to CO2 Lasers so it is not a question of raw power. You would find Stainless Steel easier to cut with gas at just over 100W (typically 150W+) and generally a different head. Waterjet or die cutting/stamping are better processes to look at for Aluminium IMO.
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Anthony Dorris
- Posts: 3
- Joined: Thu May 28, 2020
- Location: Evansville, IN
- Country: United States
- Nickname: Tony
- Laser Machine Make or Type: SH-G350
- Laser Power: 50w
- Laser Bed Size: 12" x 20"
- Home Position: TL
- RDWorks Version: v8.01.18
- Ruida Controller: Other
- Windows Version: 10
Thanks guys... I will pass that along.