[fanie]

Hello,

Does any one know if a CO2 laser will cut fiberglass mat, and if possible, how much power is required ?

Thanks

[bisjoe]

If you mean the fabric, before the resin is done, I would say probably so. I have cut thin, finished fiberglass sheet. It does char some though.

[fanie]

Yes, sorry I do mean the fabric. Any indication of the actual thickness, speed and the power used ?

[bisjoe]

Yes, sorry I do mean the fabric. Any indication of the actual thickness, speed and the power used ?

Sorry, no. It might be similar to felt in density, which I have cut on my 45 watt at speed 60 power 30 frequency 500.

[fanie]

Has anyone else ever cut fiberglass mat with a laser cutter ?

Thanks

[fanie]

Nobody ever tried to cut fiberglass mat with a laser cutter before ?

[MonoNeuron]

If I had some I would give it a go with my 30 watt laser, but I haven't. I will look around for you and see what I can come up with .... be patient.
Rich

[fanie]

Hi Rich, thank you very much... Appreciated !

[KTP]

I am pretty sure you can cut fiberglass mat or cloth with a CO2 laser, as it is just glass fibers and glass absorbs the CO2 laser wavelength very well.

I have heard that cutting Kevlar with a CO2 laser will give off cyanide gas, so might want to use scissors on that stuff :-)

[fanie]

Many plastics give off poisenous gasses, so it's always better to vacuum it out.

[vikki007]

hi, we producr laser engraver, and laser cutter, there is 40w, 50w,60w ,80w and 100w laser tube. I think our machine could do that. If you are interested in, please contact me. My email is [email protected]. Hope i can help you.
Vikki

[MonoNeuron]

Hi Fanie,
I just scabbed a piece of glass cloth from one of my friends which came out of a fiberglass repair kit and took a lash at cutting it. The piece was about 2 inches wide and 3 inches long.
I set the 35 watt laser on full power and 0.1" per sec and it cut through very nicely with a minimum amount of sparking or spatter (no spatter really).
I then set it on 0.2" per sec and it cut through 99% of the fibers. So anywhere between 0.1 and 0.15 would do the trick.
Hope this helps. Do I need to take a video of it for you? I don't have much time on my hands but I could make it possible.
A 60 watt laser would just eat through the stuff.
regards
Rich.

[MonoNeuron]

Youtube video of it here.....

[ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3QOa6PSy3BY[/ame]

I wish I had some woven matting to try for you but alas I have not. It should work roughly the same though.

Regards
rich.