Bunnings Colored Coro 5mm

[Freman]

All very good questions, it's a 900x600 (+/-) 100 watt CO² laser. I cut the 5mm corro at around 40mm/sec (tho don't quote me on that) at about 50% power in two passes with a 2mm step between passed - I have found this is the best way to get a clean front cut and an ok back cut, I cut the 12mm holes at 11mm, the kerf makes it a snug fit. I think key is I use a compressor for air and I'm pushing 15-20psi (no idea what that translates to in actual flow, I should get a meter lol) of air through the nozzle, stops everything from getting melty and drippy (a real concern with PP)

Edit: fixed some autocorrupt, sorry was posting from my phone at dinner lol

 

[stooged]

180w(w8) tube here
I cut 5mm in 1 pass 30max 10min 20mm/s using a 2.5in focal lens.
That gives me about a 6mm straight cut line at focus so both sides are perfect.

To cut thicker i use a 4in focal lens which gives somewhere around 11mm straight cut.

The main reason i change lenses is because my machine has the auto focus system and head for metal cutting so i cant control the z in lightburn so it is easier to swap lenses than the head and controller config.


I also run 20psi, low flowing air increases fire risk with the coro from bunnings also avoid cutting on very hot days or with room temps 35+.
Once it gets too hot the stuff will ignite easily, i almost lost my diode laser to this with the combination of a split air assist hose.

I use this compressor, it is awesome and very quite, my air extraction fan makes more noise.

Sydney Tools

sydneytools.com.au

 

[fugley]

Cheers nice info ... at the risk of a courier breaking a co2 tube still wondering about trying an air assisted module
I cut my holes at 11.4mm

 

[stooged]

Cheers nice info ... at the risk of a courier breaking a co2 tube still wondering about trying an air assisted module
I cut my holes at 11.4mm

They are packed pretty well for transport.
Cloudray is a pretty good company to go through, they are on ebay and aliexpress

Cloudray Official Website : A Global Leader in Laser Solutions

Welcome to Cloudray Official Website. Cloudray , a world-leading laser parts and solutions provider, has established a whole series of laser product lines, featured with laser marking/engraving machine & fiber cutting machine parts ,also range from CO2 engraving & cutting machine parts.

www.cloudraylaser.com

 

[fugley]

180w(w8) tube here
I cut 5mm in 1 pass 30max 10min 20mm/s using a 2.5in focal lens.
That gives me about a 6mm straight cut line at focus so both sides are perfect.

To cut thicker i use a 4in focal lens which gives somewhere around 11mm straight cut.

The main reason i change lenses is because my machine has the auto focus system and head for metal cutting so i cant control the z in lightburn so it is easier to swap lenses than the head and controller config.


I also run 20psi, low flowing air increases fire risk with the coro from bunnings also avoid cutting on very hot days or with room temps 35+.
Once it gets too hot the stuff will ignite easily, i almost lost my diode laser to this with the combination of a split air assist hose.

I use this compressor, it is awesome and very quite, my air extraction fan makes more noise.

Sydney Tools

sydneytools.com.au

the other draw back i have atm would be "fire"
the CNC I built years ago has a vacuum table with a mdf waste board

 

[stooged]

the other draw back i have atm would be "fire"
the CNC I built years ago has a vacuum table with a mdf waste board

For laser cutting with coro you will want a honeycomb or slat bed that can allow the air to flow through it.
If it was on a flat surface the bottom would melt.
It also smokes a fair bit so you would want it enclosed with air extraction so you dont breathe in the fumes.

If the cnc cuts it ok i would stick with that, the end result is the same blinky bits at night.

 

[Freman]

To cut thicker i use a 4in focal lens which gives somewhere around 11mm straight cut.

I totally need to get more lenses, I'd love to get it done in one pass but it doesn't quite cut it even with more power, whatever lense it came with just drops off too much in 2mm lol

the other draw back i have atm would be "fire"
the CNC I built years ago has a vacuum table with a mdf waste board

Legit me too, never leave a laser unattended, and I got myself a nice 5kg CO2 extinguisher just for the laser cutter, it's within arm's reach.

 

[misterfied]

Is there anybody local to Sydney area with a laser cutter willing to help a newby with cutting props? ( Of course it wont be free ) I'm pretty handy with CAD so could supply the CAD files.