Laser Cutting in Australia [Archive]

pldaniels

Feb 08, 2006, 03:52 AM

Stuntman

Feb 08, 2006, 04:22 AM

Not sure, Dave B was my first guess. Can Dave suggest anyone else locally?

Shawn

hobidude

Feb 10, 2006, 01:44 AM

might be worth a call, was laser cutting rc plane stuff 10 years ago when it was not popular. Ask for Matt 02 62602533. First few won't be cheap.

pldaniels

Feb 10, 2006, 02:21 AM

Why won't the first few be cheap? I've already done up all the DXF's, complete with cutting-breaks, kerf allowances and organised into sheets (24" x 4", so it works with people who are limited to that size and to people like Dave who ahve the 48" x 4" beds).

Paul.

hobidude

Feb 10, 2006, 03:38 AM

my experience is there is always some file finishing, setup and trail and error for every new job when it comes to laser cutting. May not be the case for you but that has been what I have experienced. Just trying to offer some advise. Talk to Matt if you are interested.

pldaniels

Feb 10, 2006, 03:57 AM

hobidude,

I'm sure you're quite right, there's always little bits of "finishing" to be done. I'm just waiting on some responses from Dave and LA, after that I'll see where I take this.

Paul.

vincentp

Feb 20, 2006, 03:37 AM

might be worth a call, was laser cutting rc plane stuff 10 years ago when it was not popular. Ask for Matt 02 62602533. First few won't be cheap.
I got an email from Matt today ( info@accuform.com.au) - can't do balsa (it's too soft as their machine has a sensor that runs along the cutting surface) but can do ply. He invited me to go and take a look at their setup to see what they can do.

There was also a guy advertising in the most recent RCMN magazine - lasermac@bigpond.com.au

I've was looking into importing a machine and setting up a business around it.. the commercial machines are incredibly expensive and don't have great cutting areas (600x300 is common). These commercial machine will set you back around 50K :(

Regards

Vincent.

pldaniels

Feb 20, 2006, 03:40 AM

Vincent,

I was considering importing a VersaLaser, they're also rather limited in the bed size, but the costs are a bit better than $50K. A 600x300 type setup is about $20k AUD.

Personally, while I'd love one, it's impossible for me to justify, I simply don't produce that many new prototypes/kits to make it worth my while.

That said, I received my Seether laser cut kits from Dave Brown today :D :D

Paul.

vincentp

Feb 20, 2006, 09:41 PM

I was considering importing a VersaLaser, they're also rather limited in the bed size, but the costs are a bit better than $50K. A 600x300 type setup is about $20k AUD.

I did look at the VersaLasers, I spoke to the company in Sydney that imports them, basically to get one with a reasonable cutting size was cost prohibitive. You can also lease machines from them, I recall it was around $800 a month. Can't recall the comapny name though, don't have the details handy.

I'm looking at a kit from www.emissiontechnologies.com - cost is around $20K 24" x 48" cutting area :). Still thinking it over..

Regards

Vincent.

pldaniels

Feb 20, 2006, 10:07 PM

Vincent,

Impressive little device ;) I'd personally be happy enough with a 600 x 300 bed and a 20W laser. A shame though that these things use WindowsXP (would have liked to have seen a Unix based solution).

Paul.

autoflavour

Aug 15, 2006, 08:27 AM

hey Vincetp,

i know it was in feb, but you dont remember who that company was who lease the versalaser in sydney?

am interested in possibly leasing one..

cheers
tom

laanguy

Aug 15, 2006, 10:30 AM

I have seen this guys work and had a few things done. Very accurate and if you done some of the initial work I'm sure it will help.

He does have a basic website but probably better to give him a call. He is in Sydney.

http://users.bigpond.net.au/lasermac/plans.html

autoflavour

Aug 15, 2006, 08:28 PM

cool, will check it out..
i have to admit tho, im not actually building RC anything.. im trying build robots. I have a friend who limited access to a laser cutter at uni, but we are just wanting to cut way more than he can provide.. thus the interest in a possible lease..

but thanks for the tip anyway..

cheers
tom

glydr

Aug 15, 2006, 08:44 PM

Hi all,

Forgive my ignorance - but is there anything wrong with one of these??

http://cgi.ebay.com.au/COMPUTERISED-LASER-ENGRAVING-CUTTING-MACHINE-ENGRAVER-2_W0QQitemZ330016406825QQihZ014QQcategoryZ105827QQ cmdZViewItem

I'm doing a cost / benefit on setting one of these up to do piece work for others and kit own designs. I won't be cutting myself - another person will do it a few days a week.

Graham

pldaniels

Aug 15, 2006, 09:14 PM

Graham,

They would actually do the trick - good find. That one in particular is good since it has a front-feed system.

Paul.

tgmtgm

Aug 18, 2006, 07:40 AM

I noticed this machine on graysonline.com.au, i dont know if it would be good for makeing RC parts or not.

WIRE CUTTING MACHINE, MITSUBISHI MODEL DWC90HA 1992 4 AXIS WITH CNC

http://www.graysonline.com.au/lot.asp?LOT_ID=874653#
http://www.millatindustries.com/Mitsubishi%20DWC90H.htm

Magnum9

Aug 19, 2006, 05:01 AM

Wirecut machines work by electrical discharge and "etch" away the material in front of the wire. Therefore they do not work on wood or plastics. Also, the wire (and job) is either fully submerged in a conductive fluid bath, or the wire has fluid running down it.

pldaniels

Aug 19, 2006, 05:15 AM

The $12k AUD laser machine would be nice... wish I had that sort of cash :(

Sure would improve the rate of my kits being produced.

Paul.

Magnum9

Aug 20, 2006, 03:34 AM

With industrial machinery you really get what you pay for. I think you would be very disappointed with the results of any laser under $20-30k. Sure, you may be able to cut kits, but at what speed, what consistency, how often do the optics need adjusting or replacing and at what cost, how accurate and repeatable is the axis control hardware, how much do the laser tubes cost and what life do they have, etc, etc.

Have a look here - http://www.alibaba.com/trade/search?Type=SALE%2CAGENT%2CMISC&SearchText=laser+engraver&IndexArea=offer_en&CatId=0

Any of those Chinese machines look like the ebay one? While you are at alibaba do a search on r/c plane or helicopter. I bought a stack of cheap Hobbyzone Aerobird type clones, you get a RTF (plane, Tx, charger, batteries for plane and Tx) package for US$20. I must have thrown away at least 5 or 6 of those cheap 4 channel Tx's.

dave05

Nov 07, 2006, 06:02 PM

here is another laser cutting place in QLD Australia
http://www.lawslaser.com/home.htm

Miraj

Nov 08, 2006, 09:58 PM

Forget Laws laser, already been down that road. Dont know if you remember the Harbinger plans available in the glider scale section. But the dxf files were available to download. I got a quote from them @ just above $500 just for the ribs.
Ouch!

M

Magnum9

Nov 09, 2006, 06:31 AM

You could get 10mm steel plate cut into ribs cheaper than that!

Mike_r9909

Nov 17, 2006, 03:45 AM

Hey Guys
I know that its probably a bit late for the project you are talking about, but I have a laser machine arriving in Sydney mid December. Cut area is 600x1200mm and the laser is 80 watts. Message me if you are interested in getting stuff cut on the machine.
I also a 3D router arriving at the same time, for the things you cant do the laser....1300x1800 cut area.....A
These are the tools I have always dreamt of, and now I have them.....almost! Just have to get the work to pay for them!

Mike Reynell

olmod

Nov 17, 2006, 06:57 AM

Boy have you got a steep learning curve ahead :) meant not in a bad way,
setting things up true ect,does the 3d mill have alloy machining capabilities?
table size? it would be nice to be able to produce epp mouldings :)

Mike_r9909

Nov 17, 2006, 09:20 PM

Olmod
Yes, it can handle aluminium and brass! Its wont cut metal like a big Mazak machining centre, it will take a bit of time to rough out a mold, but it will leave a good finish with small cutters given the spindle speeds available.

Being a CNC machinist and toolmaker by trade gives me huge head start for setups and knowing how to use the machines, but you are right, without the trade background, most people would never really get close to the potential of these machines.

The router, as stated above has 1300X1800 cut area with a 24000rpm spindle

Mike

olmod

Nov 18, 2006, 12:47 AM

Welcome to the groups btw Mike, it will be interesting to see what you have planned ,im sure you will get a few suggestions and ideas ,i was trained in a toolroom a very long time ago,:) have you any experience in making tooling for steam curing foams? as used for eps and epp?

Mike_r9909

Nov 18, 2006, 03:29 AM

Yes, I do have a litle experience in foam tooling, not a lot, but enough to get by....most of my time has been with gravity die casting in the Auto industry.

cpbrans

Nov 18, 2006, 08:55 AM

I dont know your location but RCR Tomlinson Head office in Bayswater WA should be able to help.

olmod

Nov 18, 2006, 09:05 AM

ummm not sure who and what you mean :confused:

OzDragonFlyer

Nov 18, 2006, 03:37 PM

Where in Oz are you Mike? I cnc patterns & molds from foam, wood and various plastics but my router is pushing it to do them from billet. Would be great to see your machines capabilities!

cheers

dave

Mike_r9909

Nov 18, 2006, 04:24 PM

Hi Dave
I am in Sydney at the moment, what area are you in?

OzDragonFlyer

Nov 20, 2006, 08:26 PM

sydneys south.. would be great to catch up and swap ideas once you get your rigs going!

pldaniels

Nov 20, 2006, 08:39 PM

Mike,

Sent you a PM about some laser cutting.

GourmetSaint

Dec 12, 2006, 08:23 PM

Anyone out there do laser cutting? I've got a new set of kit parts that I want to start cutting in blocks of 6 or 12 (ie, 12 kits per run). Already done the basic DXF layouts, just need to apply kerfing settings (which I've found varies between laser machines).

I've contacted Dave Brown via email but the poor guy is stuck under a mountain of orders/balsa so I don't think it's worth me adding more to that pile.

... anyone else in AU... or do I have to export this out to the USA ?

Paul.

Found a very cheap laser cutter based in Qld. He just cut me 200 tiny ribs for my Fokker DR-1 model (he cut extras).

Talk to Warren at:
Stuff2Scrap (http://www.stuff2scrap.com.au/lasercutting/laser-cutting-examples)

OzDragonFlyer

Dec 12, 2006, 09:29 PM

Paul.. any luck with your laser cutting with Mike?

pldaniels

Dec 12, 2006, 09:35 PM

Nothing yet - he's still unpacking the machine atm.

Until such time that things are fluent, I'm still getting all my stuff done at LaserArts in the US. Turn around, delivery time and price are all still very good (probably because I have a 'deal' with LaserArts/MountainModels regarding my kits/designs).

Paul.

GourmetSaint

Dec 12, 2006, 11:56 PM

pldaniels

Dec 13, 2006, 12:57 AM

A lot of the cost in laser cutting is the setup / templating / fitting. The actual wood is very cheap and the laser time is fairly low cost (perhaps $40/hr).

Paul.

Miraj

Dec 13, 2006, 01:39 AM

Where is Stuff2Scrap located in Qld, the phone is 07 49....

Magnum9

Dec 13, 2006, 04:28 AM

Big industrial lasers run up to $500/hr, but that is purely because of the cutting speed achievable with 6kw.

GourmetSaint

Dec 13, 2006, 06:14 PM

Where is Stuff2Scrap located in Qld, the phone is 07 49....

Rockhampton I think....

Robbie d

Dec 29, 2006, 03:30 AM

lol 6kw should be enough to set the bed on fire with balsa lol

OzDragonFlyer

May 10, 2007, 07:20 PM

sorry to bring this up again.. did anyone have success in getting stuff lasercut for a reasonable price in oz? I need to outsource a job cutting 14thou mylar.