Replies

1. 
   JLMCDANIEL | May 14, 2006 07:38am | #1

   I think you're pretty well limited in the thickness it will cut and it leaves the sides burnt, which may not be desireable.

   Jack

2. 
   BoardmanWI | May 14, 2006 04:01pm | #2

   Used to owrk as a sales rep for a place that did laser and waterjet cutting.  Lasers can cut up to 1/2" of steel, but the burning is problematic.

   You might want to check into the waterjet option though.  There are variable psi machines - the max is about 50,00 psi which can go thru 13" of titanium.  It operates over a 4'-5' deep water tank (on the most powerful machines) which dissapates the power of the jet, so there would be considerable backsplash.

   The place I worked for was oriented to metal cutting, but I know it's used for a wide variety of materials - it will cut anything!  Maybe there are smaller machines that are more adaptable to your project.

   Google "waterjet cutting" and you may find someone in your area.  There are pure cutting houses that only do cutting itself, but tool and die or bigger machine shops may have a waterjet machine.

3. 
   plainjames | May 14, 2006 07:30pm | #3

   We had a rather powerful lazer cutter in our measureing lab just before i retired. We used it to make acrylic templates of sheetmetal welding assembly profiles, mostly in 1/8" or 1/4" thickness. It was quite accurate and fast. The edges were almost a polished consistancy. Any 2d drawing could be drawn or transfered into auto/cad format (and saved for future use) and assigned a color (heat intensity adjustable). The individual colors triggered the printer drivers that controled the lazer sequencing. this adjustable intensity allowed severing (burn thru) or shading, stippiling and texturing. We also used it to enhance apprentice interest in cad and manipulation of files. Once you had a file you could make one or duplicate and make 20 with just a few strokes on the key board. The learning curve was quite fast and within a day or so signs, key fobs, or camp plaques were common place. The most intricate apprentice project was the drawing of a horseless carriage and then burning in three different veneers. The pieces being interchanged to make a very interesting profile. Lots of small parts. As to the actual cost of parts produced i really dont know. Walking by it every morning just made my imagination soar from h.o. train custom buildings to intricate truss bridges... our lazer did not cut lexan or steel, but it was great with acrylic, wood, veneer.

   
   

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   Edited 5/14/2006 12:35 pm ET by plainjames

1. 
   storme | May 15, 2006 05:04pm | #5

   I want one!

4. 
   PeteBradley | May 15, 2006 01:14am | #4

   I recall an Art Nouveau chair on the back cover of a FWW issue a while back that had a laser-cut back. It was ebonized, so the blackening wasn't an issue.

   I can't tell you rates, but you'll most likely pay a fee for programming and setup plus a fee for running the pieces.

   Pete