[swilliams]

Any one ever cut tempered hard board (masonite) I'm looking for some realistic cut speeds of 1/8 inch material.

How about MDF anyone have cut speeds?

Thanks,
Scott

[Exsecratio]

THB uses resins in it's bonding that don't cut very well

Laser MDF (Medite) cuts on an 80 watt machine at 26mmps and 70% power for 3.2mm Sheet.

Double the thickness requires four times the power for the same speed or the same power at four times slower speed as a general rule

hope that helps

best wishes

Dave

[swilliams]

Thanks Dave

That's not what I wanted to hear at all :-(

I cut quite a bit of it on my CNC router but the small pieces are hard to hold down. I hoped to remedy this with a laser.

Scott

[gfacer]

Not sure what your hold down in on the router, but try using transfer tape (ie wide masking tape, sign supply places sell it) to tape a few layers on the bottom side, and raise your zero up a little (.005-.010"). Ie, try to cut through the material but not the tape.

Probably only works on a vacuum table, but works well for our plastic cutting. Of course, simply using tabs might work too with hardboard.

Good luck (from someone who just put some money down on a laser for partly the same reason of the trouble in holding down small parts!)

Greg

[lrob]

I cut it all the time. Speed is 9 and power is 90% with an 80 watt laser. Edges will be black and sooty.

[swilliams]

I cut it all the time. Speed is 9 and power is 90% with an 80 watt laser. Edges will be black and sooty.

Thanks for the reply.

What does speed of 9 indicate?
Could you possibly post a picture of the cut edge? Soot Might be okay it ends up painted black anyway. if I can get decent through put.

I was thinking 150 watt laser.

Thank You,
Scott

[swilliams]

Not sure what your hold down in on the router, but try using transfer tape (ie wide masking tape, sign supply places sell it) to tape a few layers on the bottom side, and raise your zero up a little (.005-.010"). Ie, try to cut through the material but not the tape.

Probably only works on a vacuum table, but works well for our plastic cutting. Of course, simply using tabs might work too with hardboard.

Good luck (from someone who just put some money down on a laser for partly the same reason of the trouble in holding down small parts!)

Greg

Thanks Greg,

I have a 5 zone vac table & it works pretty well but on the small stuff I also have to use a .125 bit to help (less push on the material) & I go thru them pretty fast $$$ - I could practically pay for a laser in bit savings :-)

I cut over 1000 4 x 8 sheets last year. I was thinking that if I could cut some of the smaller sized parts with a laser it would help my production.

I was thinking 150 watt,

Scott