Re: machining a laser cut edge


"John" <jwheasi@xxxxxxxxxxx> wrote in message
news:RcCdnar_sZNXcoHZnZ2dnUVZ_sadnZ2d@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx
The aluminum vapor is reflective? I wouldn't have figured that. I guess
it isn't like a plasma machine where the sheilding gas and what have you
blows the vaporized metal out of the path of the flame? I would have
thought the laser and assist gas would push the vaporized material out of
the way.
How does the vapor itself have greater reflectivity compared to the raw
aluminum.

"Gary H. Lucas" <gary.lucas@xxxxxxxxxxx> wrote in message
news:eALSf.69$8G2.57@xxxxxxxxxxx

"Randy" <rbraun333@xxxxxxxxx> wrote in message
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I beleive they sell a paint or some king of stick on coating to stop
the reflection. Have him check with his supplier.


On Thu, 16 Mar 2006 14:57:57 GMT, "Dave Lyon" <lct.products@xxxxxxxxx>
wrote:


"John" <jwheasi@xxxxxxxxxxx> wrote in message
news:dO-dncKAL4zdfIXZnZ2dnUVZ_tKdnZ2d@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx
I realize this has probably been discussed ad nauseum, but Ididn't
find
much
in the archives, not that I got too thorough in searching them.

We are looking at purchasing a laser for cutting flat sheets. I am
wondering how tough the laser cut edge is on milling cutters. Some of
the
items we are considering cutting have shoulders, chamfers, or the like
machined on some of the edges.
We will be cutting A36 steel about 95% of the time, there will be some
6061
aluminum thrown in, but I can't see that being much of a problem

We currently have a plasma machine and we don't even bother attempting
to
machine those edges. It is just too tough on the cutters.

Is the laser going to be the same, or is it somewhat better?

Thanks in advance for the help.

John Higgins



I've machined laser cut 304 SS, without any difficulty.

The guy that does my laser cutting won't do aluminum though. He says it
is
too reflective and ruins his mirrors.

Thank You,
Randy

Remove 333 from email address to reply.

It is not the shiny surface of the aluminum that is the problem. It is
the aluminum vapor that is very reflective.

Gary H. Lucas


John, the vapor both reflects and diffuses the light so that it is no longer
an intense beam, and can't cut very well.

Gary H. Lucas


.