any tips for clamping small parts for cutting?

[Laser Chicks]

Does anyone have a jig or clamp that works well for holding onto small parts that will have even smaller parts cut out of them? We are looking at cutting some very intricate parts and need a system to be able to hold them in the process.

[jmsrbrt]

There was discussion, and a few posts about that very subject awhile back. You should try the search feature. There was some unique ideas other than a pair of vise grips.

[Gamelord]

Here's a post discussing just that. Some great ideas.

http://plasmaspider.com/viewtopic.php?f=88&t=9377

[Laser Chicks]

Here's a post discussing just that. Some great ideas.

http://plasmaspider.com/viewtopic.php?f=88&t=9377

Thanks for referring me to that stream but it isn't quite what I am after. I'm cutting mother of pearl for inlays for a guy who makes guitars. The pieces he is going to supply are only about 1.5" x 1.5" and the shape we are cutting out is 0.6" x 1". I need some kind of clamp gadget that will hold the piece in place while it is being cut. Something that is sturdy enough that the air pressure used wont move the material. Kind of a tricky procedure

Laser Chick ---> Terry

[steelfx]

Here's a post discussing just that. Some great ideas.

http://plasmaspider.com/viewtopic.php?f=88&t=9377

Thanks for referring me to that stream but it isn't quite what I am after. I'm cutting mother of pearl for inlays for a guy who makes guitars. The pieces he is going to supply are only about 1.5" x 1.5" and the shape we are cutting out is 0.6" x 1". I need some kind of clamp gadget that will hold the piece in place while it is being cut. Something that is sturdy enough that the air pressure used wont move the material. Kind of a tricky procedure

Laser Chick ---> Terry

Terry,

Can you use a piece of 12awg mild steel, approx. 1' x 1' and cut a 1.375" square in the center of it? Then, lay the 1.5" mother-of-pearl over the hole & tape the edges? I know Zero about laser, so don't know if that helps or not...

Bill

[muzza]

Or as Bill suggests above but have 2 pieces with a hole cut in both and sandwich the mother of pearl between the two pieces and cut the design through the hole.
Murray

[bhamer62]

Terry, try this,
1. Cut a strip with a series of square holes in it measuring about .010 larger than the customer supplied parts that need cut. Lets call this the "top sheet" remove from table
2. Place a little larger strip of steel at your x0, y0 and edge clamp to your table. Cut the same series of holes in this strip at 1.437 x 1.437 Lets call this the "bottom sheet" KEEP IT CLAMPED DOWN
3. Place the "top sheet" over the "bottom sheet" centering the square holes up and tack weld around the perimeter a few spots. Place your customer parts in the holes and cut.

By keeping the bottom sheet clamped down, you know exactly where to program your laser to cut. Probably be a good idea to tab your parts being cut into the 1.5 x 1.5 parts. This keeps you from having a easter egg hunt to get your finished parts Might also be a good idea to disable your block delete function to avoid laser head trips if you have that feature.

[eggauto]

Is there anyway you could use hot melt glue on the back side and fasten them to a larger sheet? Then just pop them off with a razor blade. We used to use this on small wood projects. That is if you are using an engraving tool.

[Laser Chicks]

Thanks for all of the ideas.

In the end I dug a skeleton out of the scrap bin and crazy glues edges of the mother of pearl to it. I tabbed the parts and after they were cut took a razor to the edges and left the part in the main piece.

Laser Chicks

[Scott Briggs]

I usually just tack weld a small piece to a larger piece. It works great!

[plasmacuttingmachine]

I was working on something similar a while back I got some clamps from Longevity Inc. I think they're affiliated with another company that makes them or something. They worked great, might wanna check those out.

[trtilton61]

It is in the administrators suggested post. Try this link
http://www.plasmaspider.com/viewtopic.php?f=45&t=4485