Hi All,
I've been doing cnc for quite a few years and have been really interested in the lasers as well. I had enough with the cnc mill for now, but now i'm considering a laser again.
I'm a lot uneducated about lasers and I hope you can help me with a few questions. I was thinking about building one of those laser drivers out of a dvd burner for a first project just to do some engraving with. Then recently, I read about diode pumping lasers that seem to be able to go up to 380mw which is a more power than the dvd/cd lasers can go.
Just how powerful is one of those lasers? Could it for example cut 1/16" hobby ply or 1/16th balsa??? I know that it could cut metal, but just how good would one of those be for wood?
Next question is what kind of laser and what wattage laser would I need to cut something like 1/4" to 1/2" aluminum (6061-T3).
Thanks in advance,
wade