Laser Cutter

Stonekeep · Post by **Stonekeep** » Wed Oct 08, 2003 12:17 pm

Are laser cutters plasma cutters hooked up to a computer? If not can we have a discussion over the pros and cons of each Also some potential purchasing locations?

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Michael Spiers
Cyrack of Stonekeep
Stonekeep Armory
www.stonekeeparmory.com

losthelm · Post by **losthelm** » Wed Oct 08, 2003 12:56 pm

plasma cutters can be picked up for about 800-1350 for the local welding supply.
laser cutters are for the most part cnc operated. ie computer controled.
the some of the larger plasma cutters are controlded by cnc. hooking a standard manual plasma cutter to a cnc mill it not that dificult but the heat effected zone is about 1/4 inch. so it requires a lot of clean up on steel. brass bronze copper and aluminum cut much cleaner.

Stonekeep · Post by **Stonekeep** » Wed Oct 08, 2003 1:49 pm

I've got an upper-end plasma cutter now. As a matter of fact it is probably too upper end as it does require a lot of slag cleanup. (I've actually used it to cut through a 14 inch I-beam to make a portable dishing station, requiring approx. a 3/4 inch deep cut)) I was wondering if "laser cutters" were actually plasma cutters. Where does someone recommend bying a cnc unit? Cost? etc.. I am probably more interested in purchasing a unit with a plasma attached and keep mine for odd work.

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Michael Spiers
Cyrack of Stonekeep
Stonekeep Armory
www.stonekeeparmory.com

Steve S. · Post by **Steve S.** » Wed Oct 08, 2003 2:44 pm

I had some coats of plates plates cut out by Impulse Manufacturing (http://www.impulsemfg.com) using a CNC laser.

I suspect you are going to find such equipment to be specialized industrial equipment running in the tens of thousands, if not hundreds of thousands, of dollars.

Steve

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Forth Armoury
Highly authentic, affordable riveted maille.

Eric · Post by **Eric** » Wed Oct 08, 2003 2:50 pm

Our laser cost $250,000 I think. It is a Trumph.

Brian W. Rainey · Post by **Brian W. Rainey** » Wed Oct 08, 2003 2:59 pm

A plasma cutter is an arc welder with a air compressor blowing the melted metal away.

A laser cutter is a huge table with a computer controlled head that cuts materials by energy/gas/mirrors, in the most simplest non-technical terms.

So, no they are not the same thing.

Stonekeep · Post by **Stonekeep** » Wed Oct 08, 2003 3:30 pm

Ok I will check into the Trumph brand name.

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Michael Spiers
Cyrack of Stonekeep
Stonekeep Armory
www.stonekeeparmory.com

Brian W. Rainey · Post by **Brian W. Rainey** » Wed Oct 08, 2003 7:24 pm

<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:<HR>Originally posted by Stonekeep:
Ok I will check into the Trumph brand name.

<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

Ensure that you have the resources to run one.

They are expensive to buy, expensive to run amd expensive to dispose of.

Unless you are taking orders and running it 24x7, purchasing one will be a money pit.

Plus, you need the electrical infrastructure and zoning to operate one.