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| Laser cutting wood http://luthiersforum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=10101&t=49438 |
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| Author: | Tai Fu [ Fri Jun 02, 2017 7:11 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Laser cutting wood |
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? |
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| Author: | Alex Kleon [ Fri Jun 02, 2017 7:29 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Laser cutting wood |
Better laser? Alex |
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| Author: | kencierp [ Fri Jun 02, 2017 7:47 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Laser cutting wood |
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. |
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| Author: | Tai Fu [ Fri Jun 02, 2017 8:28 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Laser cutting wood |
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. |
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| Author: | James Orr [ Sat Jun 03, 2017 3:03 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Laser cutting wood |
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. |
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| Author: | Allen McFarlen [ Sat Jun 03, 2017 3:17 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Laser cutting wood |
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. |
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| Author: | Tai Fu [ Sun Jun 04, 2017 12:14 am ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Laser cutting wood |
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. |
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| Author: | klooker [ Sun Jun 04, 2017 8:29 am ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Laser cutting wood |
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 |
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| Author: | Tai Fu [ Sun Jun 04, 2017 9:17 am ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Laser cutting wood |
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) |
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| Author: | David J Fisher [ Sun Jun 04, 2017 10:52 am ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Laser cutting wood |
I run a 100 watt reci tube. I like it. Haven't tried ebony. It hogs through a good bit of material with ease. |
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| Author: | klooker [ Sun Jun 04, 2017 11:03 am ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Laser cutting wood |
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. |
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| Author: | Tai Fu [ Sun Jun 04, 2017 11:21 am ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Laser cutting wood |
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. |
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