This week in laser cutting...

[bsaint]

I wanted to make a sign for the new shop to hang on the door. I cut out all the letters. These are the raw letters with a E with a sample finish (before painting.) They still needed to be deburred and cleaned up.

Note all the pierces. I ended up cutting it out of thicker material than expected. I should've used a lead in but they will still clean up nice.

Then I needed to make a bracket for hanging my desiccant dryer on the wall. Below is the flat pattern then hand formed in a vise. Ill weld up the corners of the gussets before I paint them up. So it'll only have two stringers on the whole piece.

Everything is all hand programmed, even though I have access to a post processor. Sometimes its nice to have complete control over the movements.

 

[kluckfab]

Ok that is really cool!

 

[Kevin54]

It would be really cool if you would take the first letter "O" and split it at the top, then have a vinyl decal of a welding torch above it like it's being welded.

 

[bsaint]

More stuff this week. New parts for our revised 2-1/2 x 48" belt sander. Big redesign due to keeping manufacturing cost down (more assembly time but less expensive parts.)

New laser so the parameters weren't perfect but good enough to get these R&D parts cut.

 

[theoldwizard1]

Then I needed to make a bracket for hanging my desiccant dryer on the wall. Below is the flat pattern then hand formed in a vise. Ill weld up the corners of the gussets before I paint them up. So it'll only have two stringers on the whole piece.

Smart design with the splits for easier folding and the gusset will hold a lot of weight.

 

[Smokenarrow]

What kind of cutter are you using for that? I used to build the optic systems for Amada. Whatever system you are using it looks like it is working well.

 

[bullnerd]

You own the machine?
What brand?

 

[bsaint]

No its definitely not home built machine. Its Prima Platino 2040 with a 5kw CO2 laser. One of many different types of lasers in the shop. There are also two Prima Rapido Evo 2 5 axis machines, one is IPG fiber laser the other has the same 5kw resonator as the flat sheet cutter. There are 2 old 2D Mazaks and 5 3D Mazaks I don't use as I am not familiar with them.

 

[bsaint]

Smart design with the splits for easier folding and the gusset will hold a lot of weight.

Yes you learn a lot of tricks working as a machine tool service in fab shops over the years. You end up analyzing a lot of sheet metal parts on your own time lol. Fire extinguisher housings, cabinet drawers, metal door jams, hvac vents, etc etc.

 

[plow]

Hey bsaint, could a laser cutter help me doing this?

http://garagejournal.com/forum/forumdisplay.php?f=16

 

[bsaint]

That link didnt go anywhere

 

[bullnerd]

Yeah, I didn't mean homebuilt, just wondering if you owned the company that owned the machine.

I work for Trumpf, so just wondering what brand.

 

[crerus75]

I work for Trumpf, so just wondering what brand.

You must be at TUSP. I work in Farmington.

 

[laser3kw]

I ran a Trumpf L3030 - kick *** machine.
also impressed with Amada stuff.
never cared for the Mazak, they seemed to be maintenance problems and part hogs.

 

[bsaint]

Yea newer Mazaks I heard arent that great. I think when I buy a new laser, it will be fiber and an IPG. So since that rules out Trumpf it would be Salvagnini, Cincinnati or Prima. And I would lean towards a Cincy since its USA made and the other two are Italian.

 

[bullnerd]

You must be at TUSP. I work in Farmington.

Yup, I wondered if I'd ever run into someone from Farmington.

I work in the UPM department. Currently machining the C-15 Coax mirrors.

So BSaint, this is your machine then?

Do you own your own laser cutting business?

 

[bsaint]

No I dont own the machine but buy time to use it myself. Its an ex customer of mine who knows Im not gonna crash it.

 

[bullnerd]

No I dont own the machine but buy time to use it myself. Its an ex customer of mine who knows Im not gonna crash it.

Cool deal!

BSaint do you own a Turbo Buick

 

[bsaint]

No I dont lol. I own a BMW.

 

[kazlx]

I love my plasma, but laser systems are that much better. The edges are always damn near perfect.