laser cutting aluminum
laser cutting aluminum
(OP)
Hi
I have a design where I was hoping to laser cut some holes in telescoping aluminum tubing. A vendor told me that the nature of the beast is spatter on the inside of tubes.
I am just curious, is this a matter of technique/ equipment, or an unavoidable result of laser cutting aluminum?
1" tube (with a couple 1/4" holes lasered in), .058 wall with an .875 tube telescoping inside.
Also, was planning on having the tubes cut to length via laser.
does this eliminate laser if I need telescoping functionality? I may re-design to avoid the need for telescoping if this is the case- laser cutting is so much cheaper than machining!
thanks for your expertise!
I have a design where I was hoping to laser cut some holes in telescoping aluminum tubing. A vendor told me that the nature of the beast is spatter on the inside of tubes.
I am just curious, is this a matter of technique/ equipment, or an unavoidable result of laser cutting aluminum?
1" tube (with a couple 1/4" holes lasered in), .058 wall with an .875 tube telescoping inside.
Also, was planning on having the tubes cut to length via laser.
does this eliminate laser if I need telescoping functionality? I may re-design to avoid the need for telescoping if this is the case- laser cutting is so much cheaper than machining!
thanks for your expertise!





RE: laser cutting aluminum
RE: laser cutting aluminum
Our tubing is generally stainless and mild steel ranging from 3/16" to 3/8" wall thickness and the most we have to do to deburr and clean them out is to run a wire wheel through it.
Good luck with your job and I hope you're able to figure something out.
RE: laser cutting aluminum
Over 30 Years of Industrial Laser Marking Systems Manufacturing http://www.cmslaser.com/laser-capabilities/laser-m...
RE: laser cutting aluminum
Lasercms, compared to machining. I assume punching will cost more, at least at scalable prototype volumes- could be wrong tho, i didn't dig. Is there a better option? Also need shapes cut in the tube.
RE: laser cutting aluminum
Chris Krug http://krugtech.com/
Maximum Up-time, Minimum BS
RE: laser cutting aluminum
On the contrary though, you WON'T be able to do this without damaging the .875 telescoped tube if it has to be present during the operation (obviously) if there was any confusion there. The laser will eat up the inside material if it is that close to the cut.
RE: laser cutting aluminum
Dan - Owner
http://www.Hi-TecDesigns.com
RE: laser cutting aluminum
RE: laser cutting aluminum
Dan - Owner
http://www.Hi-TecDesigns.com
RE: laser cutting aluminum
I redesigned the assembly to eliminate the need for telescoping tubing (cost was the main motivator, part count went from 3 to 1).
now it's all 1" tube. but I have another issue, with a new thread to address it.
Please have a look
http://www.eng-tips.com/viewthread.cfm?qid=408374