[replicapro]

I was wondering, since a laser head can be basically the size of a standard laser pointer, can a laser cutter be mounted in a r8 collet and then use my x3 for the tool paths?

Seems like it should work but im not the expert.

[coleong]

yep, you can do it.

Some old machines move the material rather than the beam.
In fact some new machine still use this idea where there is a punching head next to it (combination machine).

The problem you would be facing is the beam will hit the bottom of your table once the material is cut through.

[replicapro]

What do commercial laser engravers use to prevent the area under the work surface from being struck or damaged by the laser?

[coleong]

I would say it is metal.

Engraving are on the surface only, while cutting the beam penetrates the workpiece and the bottom is mostly of mild steel.

[replicapro]

So If I just wanted to do laser engraving in wood, plastic and sheet metal with out cutting all the way through, what watt size should I be searching for?
Is there any suppliers to look at specifically?

[coleong]

If you need to engrave on sheet metal a YAG laser should be chosen.

Normally the wattage is quite low for YAG lasers to engrave metal.
For CO2 lasers the wattage required is much higher.

Sorry i would not recommend, as there is a large number of suppliers.