[HH] limitations of laser cutting

[Tom Metro]

Bill Bogstad wrote:
> What are the pros and cons of  traditional milling (cutting edges 
> requiring physical contact) versus laser micro-milling (i.e. laser
> ablation with a pulsed laser)?

My understanding is that the reason why you hear the term "laser
engraving" far more often than "laser cutting" is that lasers powerful
enough to cut are still really expensive. The machine in this thread I
think maxes out at cutting thin balsa wood.

In contrast, the milling head can handle wood, aluminum, brass, and if
you go slow enough, some steel.

Laser cutting tends to burn the edges and leave a rougher cut than some
other processes.

 -Tom