Higher wattage laser or waterjet for 1/4" aluminum? 1

[metalbiz]

Hi, I have a YR 1999 Amada 2415 2000w laser (and amada vipros) Just had the resonator and blower redone on the laser. I've come into quite a bit of (1/4" 6061) aluminum work lately and I'm looking for a good way to CNC the panels/holes/cutouts and I'm not sure which direction to go. I can punch the alum but I need nice edges. And I've never had very good luck with running aluminum on my current laser, so my question is: Will a yr2000 4000W amada laser FO 3015 be able to cut 1/4" aluminum consistently? Or would it be a better investment to go with a waterjet when I'm certain I would be able to cut 1/4" alum with it. Upgrading to a 4000w would be nice for improving output for my current steel/stainless cutting, but not sure if it is going to solve the aluminum cutting challenge. Would really appreciate some input from the wealth of knowledge in this forum, thanks!

 

[corth1024]

We have a 4kw Bystronic fiber laser.
You can definitely cut .25" aluminum on a 4kw fiber machine. There will be a burr on the bottom. We've fiddled with the cutting parameters and can minimize it, but it is always there.

If you have a nearby shop that has a 4kw machine, you could ask them to cut a few parts so you can see the cut quality. Or if you talk to Amada (or any other laser manufacturer), I'm sure they will cut samples for you.

good luck!

 

[drossfree]

100% agree i cut 0.25 aluminum on my 4000w amada fo3015 c02 laser with same results as corth1024 50 ipm .

 

[metalbiz]

Thank you corth1024 and drossfree. This is very helpful! If you don't mind I have a couple more questions about that machine (FO3015). This is directed to drossfree who has the CO2 laser:

Are you cutting stainless with the PVC covering on the material?

Is your machine the FO3015 NT version? The salesman told me the NT version is the Amada software, whereas without NT I guess the machine reads code? just wondering which is better, since both types of machines are available?

What do you do about parts that are longer than 120", lets say we are running a 144" part? My Pulsar 2415 repositions, but with the flying optics, how does that work?

Thank you!

 

[drossfree]

there is no reposition with my machine and it is not nt. yes we cut stainless with protective film. in some cases i run a premelt before actually cutting. but most times now with the newer nitto coating premelt is not required. 120 is my max length.

 

[krugtech]

Have you considered a waterjet/plasma combo? tcicutting.com makes one and it's getting a lot of attention.

Chris Krug

http://krugtech.com/

Maximum Up-time, Minimum BS