Laser cutting, would someone explain please

I do understand the principals and how it is done but, over here in the UK, laser cutting is a "big business" technique. I do have things laser cut as part of my day job as a designer at a design consultancy but the costs have always looked prohibative for one off modelling requirements.

Is it different in the States? are there corner lasercutting shops just waiting to process a handful of balsa from a DXF on a floppy?

A description of the where when and what would be a great help.

Regards

Mike

RSM advertise that they will (laser) custom cut anything you want if you ask them for a quote and give them the pattern.

>RSM advertise that they will (laser) custom cut anything you
>want if you ask them for a quote and give them the pattern.

So will Kyle.

http://www.tanks-hangar.com/

I have been thinking about buying a laser.

Here is something almost as good.. Check out the CNC Router kit. Someday I am going to build it.

http://www.hobbycnc.com/plans/plans.htm

I think most of the kits are cut with smaller Laser engraving machines, not the big industrial lasers that can cut through steel and aluminum.
That is why the are often limited to 24" lengths.
http://www.ulsinc.com/
IIRC they cost about $25K.
Pat MacKenzie

At least two people I am familiar with who laser cut kits have trophy and plaque making as their main business. Hence the smaller cutting machines. Sig's laser is 5000 watts, though, IIRC. It will cut 1/2 inch oak....

Thanks Guys I feel much better informed. Now all I have to do is finde someone with one near enough to use. - there is a veneer supply establishment not too far away and they make marquetry kits so they migh be a useful source.
Thanks again

Regards

Mike

I had once one of my free flight rubber powered designs laser cut by one of my friends who owns a plaque and engraving business .. the cutter was a very small one I think it was 24" and my archives were done in corel draw..no problem at all ..the pieces come out really nice although we had to do a lot of testing until he found the right beam speed and potency (wood tend to burn) and most cuts were done in 1/16"...enrique

This is a great "class 101" on laser cutting.

It seems to me that the process could better be applied to making pairs of rib TEMPLATES out of 1/16" steel plate. The modeler could invest in a pair of durable, precision templates and make ribs in the old "sandwich" method.

My assumption is the laser cutter belongs to a machine shop and the airplane business is a side job. It would be easier to bring in some steel plate and make some high-value parts. Bringing in loads of balsa wood might stink up the shop and blow the whole deal.

LAST EDITED ON Dec-01-04 AT 12:30 PM (CST)
 
>
>My assumption is the laser cutter belongs to a machine shop
>and the airplane business is a side job.

Here is an outfit, BALSA Machining Service (BMS) that machines balsa *exclusively* (OK, he'll cut basswood and plywood too), both laser cut and CNC lathe turnings:

http://www.balsamachining.com/

The primary market is for model rockets, but Bill can produce anything laser cut within the limits of his machines. So he cuts boost glider parts (equivalent to Hand Launched Gliders) as well as fins. And I have had him cut small detail parts for scale models too. One of our club members has had him cut very intricate parts for kits. Again, these were scale model rockets, but they might just as well have been stick-and-tissue rubber kits for the number and intricacy of the parts involved. He will make small numbers of parts, or even one-offs for very reasonable prices.

I have placed large and detailed orders with Bill several times, always with excellent results. I know he regularly cuts airplane parts for airplane guys, and I would not hesitate to go to him for rib sets etc. He can accept CAD drawings to speed the work.

FYI,

Andy

>http://www.balsamachining.com/
He will make
>small numbers of parts, or even one-offs for very reasonable
>prices.

Andy, would you happen to know how long a sheet his cutter can handle? I have some fairly long parts I'd like to cut with no splices. I'll have to roll out the plans and measure again, tho.
Thanks, Kelvin

>
>
>Andy, would you happen to know how long a sheet his cutter
>can handle? I have some fairly long parts I'd like to cut
>with no splices. I'll have to roll out the plans and measure
>again, tho.

Kelvin,

Just click on his EMAIL reply button and ask. Bill is a good guy, and he'll answer you promptly. Also, he'll work with you to get you what you want if he can do it.

Andy