Metal cutting Laser

[kdahep]

Hello
I am new here and need some information on lasers. I have a plasmacam table and would like to possibily go to laser.
What kind of wattage would I need to cut 1/8 steel?
What else would be recommended to build a table and the laser and can this be possible or would I be better to purchase a complete unit from a company that handles these?
I'm only looking at a small table 4'x4'.

Thank you for the great forum

kdahep

[bdring]

Metal cutting requires a lot of power and is generally beyond the scope of home build lasers. The generally available CO2 laser tubes go up to about 100-120watts. That probably does not even mark metal. You probably need at least a 1000 watts.

If you use a different wavelength and tube technology like fiber laser, you can do it with less power but you are talking a lot of money.

[kdahep]

Thank you for the information.
Looks like Plasma is still the least expensive.

kdahep