Can carbon fibre be cut in a 30W CO2?

[Neil Stevenson]

Hi Mark,

What thickness of carbon fibre is it you want to cut, is there a particular brand? Let me know and I will get it checked out for you.
Different makes can have different make ups.

Best regards

Neil

[Mark Shipley]

Hello Neil,

Many thanks for you reply.

In answer – I don’t know 😕 I’ve been asked by a fellow model aircraft builder if I can cut it.

I would have thought thin sheets that can be cut and then be layered, finally bonded with a ‘finishing’ fibreglass epoxy.

If this isn’t enough to go on, I’ll find out more details and pass them on.

Thanks again,
Mark

[Rodney Gold]

I have tried Carbon fibre on a laser – 30 w – no go , it is normally Steel rule die cut.
Kevlar does work with notrogen assist and plenty power!!!
PVC and Teflon are the 2 no-nos

[Mr Bruce]

Hi there,

Rodney is right, carbon fibre (mat or pre-preg) will not cut on ANY laser cutter 🙁 .

I have a friend at the McLaren F1 works team and he has informed me that all cutting for them is done via water jet (abrasive jet) or flatbed router.

This came as a bit of a blow to me because I was hoping to be able to cut carbon on a laser cutter as part of my new business….but thanks to his advice – I’m looking at a water jet now! 😮

Flat bed router’s are good, but a certain degree of edge defect can occur if the feed rate is slightly out or the cutting edge is even slightly worn. (and carbon wears out tips VERY quickly!)

Water jet is much better suited to carbon due to non contact (like a laser) but also no heat build up (unlike a laser!) better definition and much tighter edge to edge (nest) cutting minimising waste.

Sorry if I’ve gone off on a tangent – I guess I gave the answer in the first line! 😳

Regards,

Bruce.