Re: PCB laser cutting

On Wed, 17 Apr 2024 12:23:47 -0700, John Larkin
<jjSNIPlarkin@highNONOlandtechnology.com> wrote:

On Wed, 17 Apr 2024 14:13:47 -0400, Joe Gwinn <joegwinn@comcast.net>
wrote:
>

On Wed, 17 Apr 2024 08:09:30 -0700, John Larkin
<jjSNIPlarkin@highNONOlandtechnology.com> wrote:
>

On Tue, 16 Apr 2024 21:16:27 -0700, Don Y
<blockedofcourse@foo.invalid> wrote:
>

I've been offered a small, 40W laser cutter and wonder if I
want to make space to store it -- as I suspect I don't have
many uses for it!
>
One that came to mind would be cutting odd-shaped PCBs.
>
But, I didn't think CO2 lasers were good with FR4, etc.
>
(Or, could I opt for a different board material to
exploit the laser's abilities?)

>
We buy blue anodized boxes and use a Boss laser to blast the artwork.
>
<https://www.highlandtechnology.com/Product/J744>
>
That saves a ton of hassle with labels and silkscreening.
>
I tried using it to cut patterns into copperclad FR4, instead of
dremeling. It didn't cut copper very well and burned the FR4. Maybe
some fast pulsed laser would work better.

>
Is this the CO2 laser or the fiber laser?
>
Joe Gwinn

>
This one is fiber.
>
<https://www.dropbox.com/s/zxnwvk8w7pus7sr/Boss_1.jpg?dl=0>
>
<https://www.dropbox.com/s/70py68edtigk8jf/J270%20Boss%20Laser%20Inside%20Box.mp4?dl=0>

So its wavelength is one micron (CO2 is 10 microns).

One micron is still infrared.  Really need a green to UV pulsed laser
to cut copper without burning FR4.  But these lasers are hideously
expensive.

I have not researched it, but here is the German answer:

.<https://www.trumpf.com/en_US/products/lasers/disk-lasers/>

Joe Gwinn