Official Luthiers Forum!

Owned and operated by Lance Kragenbrink
It is currently Thu Mar 28, 2024 3:55 am


All times are UTC - 5 hours


Forum rules


Be nice, no cussin and enjoy!




Post new topic Reply to topic  [ 12 posts ] 
Author Message
 Post subject: Laser cutting wood
PostPosted: Fri Jun 02, 2017 7:11 pm 
Offline
Brazilian Rosewood
Brazilian Rosewood
User avatar

Joined: Wed Sep 24, 2008 8:55 pm
Posts: 3820
Location: Taiwan
First name: Tai
Last Name: Fu
City: Taipei
Country: Taiwan
Focus: Repair
Status: Semi-pro
So I have a K40 laser cutter, and it cuts birch plywood well.

However how does it cut exotic rosewood type wood? I tried cutting african blackwood and despite many passes, and high power it struggles to cut through 1/8" thick piece, in fact it just burns the thing rather than cut.

I understand Taylor laser cuts everything (top, back, side, etc.) so how would they cut ebony or blackwoods?

_________________
Cat-gut strings are made from kitten guts, stretched out to near breaking point and then hardened with grue saliva. As a result these give a feeling of Pain and anguish whenever played, and often end up playing themselves backwards as part of satanic rituals.

Typhoon Guitars
http://www.typhoon-guitars.com


Top
 Profile  
 
 Post subject: Re: Laser cutting wood
PostPosted: Fri Jun 02, 2017 7:29 pm 
Offline
Contributing Member
Contributing Member
User avatar

Joined: Tue Mar 01, 2011 1:32 pm
Posts: 3470
First name: Alex
Last Name: Kleon
City: Whitby
State: Ontario
Zip/Postal Code: L1N8X2
Country: Canada
Focus: Build
Status: Amateur
Better laser?

Alex

_________________
"Indecision is the key to flexibility" .... Bumper sticker


Top
 Profile  
 
 Post subject: Re: Laser cutting wood
PostPosted: Fri Jun 02, 2017 7:47 pm 
Offline
Koa
Koa

Joined: Sat May 19, 2007 11:03 am
Posts: 1737
Location: Litchfield MI
Focus: Build
Status: Professional
Quote:
Better laser?



Really -- Rest assured that Taylor is not using a $400 laser.

Can you upgrade to 200 watts? I think the K40 is designed for engraving.

_________________
Ken Cierp

http://www.kennethmichaelguitars.com/


Top
 Profile  
 
 Post subject: Re: Laser cutting wood
PostPosted: Fri Jun 02, 2017 8:28 pm 
Offline
Brazilian Rosewood
Brazilian Rosewood
User avatar

Joined: Wed Sep 24, 2008 8:55 pm
Posts: 3820
Location: Taiwan
First name: Tai
Last Name: Fu
City: Taipei
Country: Taiwan
Focus: Repair
Status: Semi-pro
I could get a new 45/50 watt tube if I cut a hole in the side of the machine to make room for it, the existing power supply will support it. It just about doubles the laser's power.

However 200 watt is a stretch. I was only asking how Taylor does it...

I have tried cutting Indonesian rosewood and it does cut though it takes a few passes. I can however cut a template out of plexiglass and use a router for the actual cut (the laser will still cut just not that much)

I think the K40 was originally designed for engraving stamps.

_________________
Cat-gut strings are made from kitten guts, stretched out to near breaking point and then hardened with grue saliva. As a result these give a feeling of Pain and anguish whenever played, and often end up playing themselves backwards as part of satanic rituals.

Typhoon Guitars
http://www.typhoon-guitars.com


Top
 Profile  
 
 Post subject: Re: Laser cutting wood
PostPosted: Sat Jun 03, 2017 3:03 pm 
Offline
Contributing Member
Contributing Member
User avatar

Joined: Wed Feb 15, 2006 7:37 am
Posts: 4777
I used a laser to cut a few bridge plates out of African Blackwood, and it didn't seem to have a problem. I don't remember the specifics, but I think it's a 40 watt laser, and it took four or five passes.


Top
 Profile  
 
 Post subject: Re: Laser cutting wood
PostPosted: Sat Jun 03, 2017 3:17 pm 
Offline
Cocobolo
Cocobolo
User avatar

Joined: Fri Dec 01, 2006 6:44 pm
Posts: 471
Location: Australia
First name: Allen
Last Name: McFarlen
City: Mt. Sheridan
State: Qld.
Zip/Postal Code: 4868
Country: Australia
Focus: Build
Status: Professional
I can cut 3mm Indian Rosewood easily with my 40watt Epilog in one pass. Even up to 6mm thick in a few passes. Most other timbers no problem at all in one pass up to 4mm thick.

Ebony doesn't cut at all. At best I can engrave it with several passes.

_________________
Allen R. McFarlen
Barron River Guitars & Ukuleles
Facebook
Cairns, Australia


Top
 Profile  
 
 Post subject: Re: Laser cutting wood
PostPosted: Sun Jun 04, 2017 12:14 am 
Offline
Brazilian Rosewood
Brazilian Rosewood
User avatar

Joined: Wed Sep 24, 2008 8:55 pm
Posts: 3820
Location: Taiwan
First name: Tai
Last Name: Fu
City: Taipei
Country: Taiwan
Focus: Repair
Status: Semi-pro
I don't know what the true power of Epilogs are, but the K40 isn't technically 40 watts, it's more like 35 watts. The tube length is only 700mm. I know a more powerful tube can be bought that ups the power quite a lot, but it requires cutting the case because the laser tube is 1 meter long.

_________________
Cat-gut strings are made from kitten guts, stretched out to near breaking point and then hardened with grue saliva. As a result these give a feeling of Pain and anguish whenever played, and often end up playing themselves backwards as part of satanic rituals.

Typhoon Guitars
http://www.typhoon-guitars.com


Top
 Profile  
 
 Post subject: Re: Laser cutting wood
PostPosted: Sun Jun 04, 2017 8:29 am 
Offline
Contributing Member
Contributing Member
User avatar

Joined: Tue Aug 17, 2010 3:31 pm
Posts: 1682
First name: Kevin
Last Name: Looker
City: Worthington
State: OH
Zip/Postal Code: 43085
Country: USA
Focus: Build
Status: Amateur
I doubt Taylor cuts Ebony (fingerboards) with a laser. I know Martin cuts backs & sides with a laser too.

I have an 80 watt & I've cut a handful of woods - maple, camatillo, bubinga, bocote, blackwood, koa, baltic birch plywood. As you'd imagine I can cut a much thicker piece of maple than blackwood but some woods are deceiving like koa which doesn't cut very well.

What's the focal length of your lens? A longer lens in the 50mm range is better for cutting. You also need to be sure it's precisely focused.

Kevin Looker

_________________
I'm not a luthier.
I'm just a guy who builds guitars in his basement.
It's better than playing golf.


Top
 Profile  
 
 Post subject: Re: Laser cutting wood
PostPosted: Sun Jun 04, 2017 9:17 am 
Offline
Brazilian Rosewood
Brazilian Rosewood
User avatar

Joined: Wed Sep 24, 2008 8:55 pm
Posts: 3820
Location: Taiwan
First name: Tai
Last Name: Fu
City: Taipei
Country: Taiwan
Focus: Repair
Status: Semi-pro
It's the stock 50mm lens. It kinda sucks and I'm replacing it with the ones from Lightobject (some have reported that it cuts better with it, because I think that lens focuses down to a smaller spot)

_________________
Cat-gut strings are made from kitten guts, stretched out to near breaking point and then hardened with grue saliva. As a result these give a feeling of Pain and anguish whenever played, and often end up playing themselves backwards as part of satanic rituals.

Typhoon Guitars
http://www.typhoon-guitars.com


Top
 Profile  
 
 Post subject: Re: Laser cutting wood
PostPosted: Sun Jun 04, 2017 10:52 am 
Offline
Walnut
Walnut

Joined: Mon Jun 02, 2014 4:04 pm
Posts: 23
First name: David
Last Name: Fisher
City: Asheville
State: North Carolina
Focus: Build
Status: Amateur
I run a 100 watt reci tube. I like it. Haven't tried ebony. It hogs through a good bit of material with ease.


Top
 Profile  
 
 Post subject: Re: Laser cutting wood
PostPosted: Sun Jun 04, 2017 11:03 am 
Offline
Contributing Member
Contributing Member
User avatar

Joined: Tue Aug 17, 2010 3:31 pm
Posts: 1682
First name: Kevin
Last Name: Looker
City: Worthington
State: OH
Zip/Postal Code: 43085
Country: USA
Focus: Build
Status: Amateur
Tai Fu wrote:
It's the stock 50mm lens. It kinda sucks and I'm replacing it with the ones from Lightobject (some have reported that it cuts better with it, because I think that lens focuses down to a smaller spot)


A shorter lens focuses to a smaller spot but stays in focus for a shallower depth. That's why you want a longer lens for cutting.

_________________
I'm not a luthier.
I'm just a guy who builds guitars in his basement.
It's better than playing golf.


Top
 Profile  
 
 Post subject: Re: Laser cutting wood
PostPosted: Sun Jun 04, 2017 11:21 am 
Offline
Brazilian Rosewood
Brazilian Rosewood
User avatar

Joined: Wed Sep 24, 2008 8:55 pm
Posts: 3820
Location: Taiwan
First name: Tai
Last Name: Fu
City: Taipei
Country: Taiwan
Focus: Repair
Status: Semi-pro
What I mean is, the lens is the same focal length as the stock lens but since the lens is bigger (18mm vs 12mm), it focuses the laser to a smaller diameter but the focal length does not change. I have read that basically, a shorter focal length is actually better for cutting since it can focus more power but it may have some issues with thicker materials. A longer focal length would have a straighter beam but the beam would be wider meaning it takes more power.

I can't really run a 100 watt tube, I would (in addition to needing a bigger power supply) need a compressor based chiller. My laser also would not fit a 2 meter long tube.

_________________
Cat-gut strings are made from kitten guts, stretched out to near breaking point and then hardened with grue saliva. As a result these give a feeling of Pain and anguish whenever played, and often end up playing themselves backwards as part of satanic rituals.

Typhoon Guitars
http://www.typhoon-guitars.com


Top
 Profile  
 
Display posts from previous:  Sort by  
Post new topic Reply to topic  [ 12 posts ] 

All times are UTC - 5 hours


Who is online

Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 45 guests


You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum
You cannot post attachments in this forum

Jump to:  
Powered by phpBB® Forum Software © phpBB Group
phpBB customization services by 2by2host.com