Prusa i3 - stainless steel?

Hello,

I am thinking of building a single plate Prusa i3, to replace my trusty i2. I have access to a laser cutter, but the problem is that those machines only cut stainless steel properly, aluminium is a tough challenge.

That is why I am thinking of building the i3 using stainless steel. I did some calculations, comparing the Young's modules of each material, and I came to conclusion that about 2.3 mm thick stainless steel should be enough to be as strong as the aluminium counterpart. What do you ppl think?

Then to the most important question. As it is very hard to make threads on laser cut steel (would have to cut smaller holes, drill them and then thread), is it possible to just use a bolt and then nut on the other side? Does the design of i3 allow for that?

Ok ive worked laser cutters, and I have never experienced difficulties cutting aluminium, have you tried waterjet cutting instead

The problem is that I can only cut to certain depth because of the focus of the machine. I do not have access to water jet cutter, unfortunately.

yeah struggle on small holes what about getting one milled where are u uk/usa

I am from Finland.. Does anybody know if the bolt through option is viable?

Bolt through is an option. Stainless is a lot more expensive than AL.

Cool, thanks for answering

if you get the it cut by waterjet they should be able to cut 2.5mm depending on their tolerances, lasers will just mark them tap the holes to 3mm too match the parts but i tapped mine to 4mm and changed the hole sizes in the rp parts