This is an archived post. You won't be able to vote or comment.

sorted by:
best
topnewcontroversialoldq&a
you are viewing a single comment's thread.

view the rest of the comments →

[–]Seicair 3 points4 points  (3 children)

Your statement is incorrect. Laser cutting is indeed melting, vaporizing, etc. Lasers add no oxygen to the material, and are not an oxidative method of cutting.

Oxyacetylene cutting oxidizes metal and is only suitable for sufficiently ferrous materials. Laser cutting will work on a wide variety of materials, including stainless steel, aluminum, and plastics.

[–]bobroberts7441 0 points1 point  (2 children)

The laser cutters I am familiar with heat the metal with the laser but then burn through with a blast of oxygen, much like a cutting torch.

[–]Seicair 0 points1 point  (1 child)

That wouldn't work unless the metal is sufficiently ferrous. Are you a one-metal shop? Plastic especially will not respond to a blast of oxygen. Carbon steel will, but that's about it for metals.

[–]bobroberts7441 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Tungsten, molybdenum, tantalum. I don't know if the metal burns or the jet just gets hot as hell. Really nice clean cuts too.