Discussion:
PCB laser cutting
(too old to reply)
Don Y
2024-04-17 05:15:14 UTC
Permalink
I've been offered a small, 40W laser cutter and wonder if I
want to make space to store it -- as I suspect I don't have
many uses for it!
One that came to mind would be cutting odd-shaped PCBs.
But, I didn't think CO2 lasers were good with FR4, etc.
(Or, could I opt for a different board material to
exploit the laser's abilities?)
No, what the hell am I thinking???! :< I'm trying to
GET RID OF kit; why would I entertain bringing yet another
bit into the house???????

Sheesh!
John Larkin
2024-04-17 15:09:30 UTC
Permalink
On Tue, 16 Apr 2024 21:16:27 -0700, Don Y
I've been offered a small, 40W laser cutter and wonder if I
want to make space to store it -- as I suspect I don't have
many uses for it!
One that came to mind would be cutting odd-shaped PCBs.
But, I didn't think CO2 lasers were good with FR4, etc.
(Or, could I opt for a different board material to
exploit the laser's abilities?)
We buy blue anodized boxes and use a Boss laser to blast the artwork.

https://www.highlandtechnology.com/Product/J744

That saves a ton of hassle with labels and silkscreening.

I tried using it to cut patterns into copperclad FR4, instead of
dremeling. It didn't cut copper very well and burned the FR4. Maybe
some fast pulsed laser would work better.
Joe Gwinn
2024-04-17 18:13:47 UTC
Permalink
On Wed, 17 Apr 2024 08:09:30 -0700, John Larkin
Post by John Larkin
On Tue, 16 Apr 2024 21:16:27 -0700, Don Y
I've been offered a small, 40W laser cutter and wonder if I
want to make space to store it -- as I suspect I don't have
many uses for it!
One that came to mind would be cutting odd-shaped PCBs.
But, I didn't think CO2 lasers were good with FR4, etc.
(Or, could I opt for a different board material to
exploit the laser's abilities?)
We buy blue anodized boxes and use a Boss laser to blast the artwork.
<https://www.highlandtechnology.com/Product/J744>
That saves a ton of hassle with labels and silkscreening.
I tried using it to cut patterns into copperclad FR4, instead of
dremeling. It didn't cut copper very well and burned the FR4. Maybe
some fast pulsed laser would work better.
Is this the CO2 laser or the fiber laser?

Joe Gwinn
John Larkin
2024-04-17 19:23:47 UTC
Permalink
Post by Joe Gwinn
On Wed, 17 Apr 2024 08:09:30 -0700, John Larkin
Post by John Larkin
On Tue, 16 Apr 2024 21:16:27 -0700, Don Y
I've been offered a small, 40W laser cutter and wonder if I
want to make space to store it -- as I suspect I don't have
many uses for it!
One that came to mind would be cutting odd-shaped PCBs.
But, I didn't think CO2 lasers were good with FR4, etc.
(Or, could I opt for a different board material to
exploit the laser's abilities?)
We buy blue anodized boxes and use a Boss laser to blast the artwork.
<https://www.highlandtechnology.com/Product/J744>
That saves a ton of hassle with labels and silkscreening.
I tried using it to cut patterns into copperclad FR4, instead of
dremeling. It didn't cut copper very well and burned the FR4. Maybe
some fast pulsed laser would work better.
Is this the CO2 laser or the fiber laser?
Joe Gwinn
This one is fiber.

Loading Image...

https://www.dropbox.com/s/70py68edtigk8jf/J270%20Boss%20Laser%20Inside%20Box.mp4?dl=0
Joe Gwinn
2024-04-17 20:59:38 UTC
Permalink
On Wed, 17 Apr 2024 12:23:47 -0700, John Larkin
Post by John Larkin
Post by Joe Gwinn
On Wed, 17 Apr 2024 08:09:30 -0700, John Larkin
Post by John Larkin
On Tue, 16 Apr 2024 21:16:27 -0700, Don Y
I've been offered a small, 40W laser cutter and wonder if I
want to make space to store it -- as I suspect I don't have
many uses for it!
One that came to mind would be cutting odd-shaped PCBs.
But, I didn't think CO2 lasers were good with FR4, etc.
(Or, could I opt for a different board material to
exploit the laser's abilities?)
We buy blue anodized boxes and use a Boss laser to blast the artwork.
<https://www.highlandtechnology.com/Product/J744>
That saves a ton of hassle with labels and silkscreening.
I tried using it to cut patterns into copperclad FR4, instead of
dremeling. It didn't cut copper very well and burned the FR4. Maybe
some fast pulsed laser would work better.
Is this the CO2 laser or the fiber laser?
Joe Gwinn
This one is fiber.
<Loading Image...
<https://www.dropbox.com/s/70py68edtigk8jf/J270%20Boss%20Laser%20Inside%20Box.mp4?dl=0>
So its wavelength is one micron (CO2 is 10 microns).

One micron is still infrared. Really need a green to UV pulsed laser
to cut copper without burning FR4. But these lasers are hideously
expensive.

I have not researched it, but here is the German answer:

.<https://www.trumpf.com/en_US/products/lasers/disk-lasers/>

Joe Gwinn

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