Performance expectations from laser cutting phenolics

[mjm6]

Greetings group,

I am new to the fabrication/manufacturing end of engineering, so I would like a little help to determine whether the quality of cut I am getting from a laser cutter is in line with the rest of the world.

I have recently begun some prototype testing for a product that involves cutting phenolic resins (from .015 to about .030, some FR4, and some paper-based). These layers will then be laminated into an assembly that will be part of the product.

The parts are fairly small, and can be done on a desktop laser cutter/engraver, but I am getting a little bit of heat damage on the very edges of the cut pieces. I need to determine if this is the price to pay for using a laser, or maybe I neeed to direct the company doing the cutting to modify their cutting procedure a little.

The worst damage appears to be related to the paper based phenolics, and more specifically to the thinner products, however, I have not done enough testing to be absolutely sure if that is consistantly the case.

The damage is similar to a slight heat blistering that some plastics will do, and it appears to affect the lamination within the phenolic sheet.

Is it possible to get a good, undamaged edge when cutting phenolics? Are phenolic laminates compatible with a laser cutter?

I'm wondering if I need to try another laser cutter or possibly a different laser technology to get a better result. It may simply be that I need the cutter to try a different pulse rate or feed rate.

Any suggestions you may have would be appreciated.


Thanks,

---Michael

 

[JayMaechtlen]

I believe that the edge damage is characteristic of a CO2 laser acting on these materials.
A different laser technology may work better- eximer?
Call a few laser manufacturers, check out the trade mags like Laser Focus, Industrial Laser (News?), etc.
There are also some very capable consultants out there.
Regards
Jay

Jay Maechtlen

 

[sr20ser]

What assist gas are you using?

 

[JayMaechtlen]

He'll be able to reduce char by using Nitrogen or other non-reactive gas. I don't believe he'll totally eliminate it.
Actually, that's a good point- depending on what result he really needs, a CO2 laser may be "good enough"...
Or, it may not.
Cheers
Jay


Jay Maechtlen

 

[mjm6]

Thanks guys,

I don't know the gas they are using, so I'll find out. If I can gete a cleaner cut, the CO2 laser will be sufficient for my purposes.


---Michael

 

[chadxyz]

You may benefit from pulse cutting!!