by bdring » Fri Aug 10, 2012 12:26 am
A couple people have asked me for my thoughts on this project.
This laser is being done by Full Spectrum Engineering (AKA... FSE, fslaser). Full Spectrum was started by Henry Liu around the same time I started buildlog.net and my original laser. We were both doing laser controllers and he contacted me to discuss the topic. We became good friends and have traded a lot of ideas over the years. He was moving ahead much faster on the controller than I was, so I eventually gave up trying to keep up. We are still friends and still trade ideas and help each other solve problems. I had a design issue recently and gladly gave me advice on what other companies might consider a trade secret. He has actually offered me a job on more than one occasion. You don't see Henry in the video. I think he is a little camera shy, but he is in the photo of the whole company.
He has sold a lot of lasers and knows the business very well. As I understand it....Most of the time he has been taking stripped down Chinese lasers, upgrading them and adding his own controller and software. The software is a true printer driver type control system equivalent to "Brand E". This new laser is a complete redesign and is assembled in the US. I saw this laser at the Maker Faire in San Mateo. He was about 3 booths away from me. He was had a big crowd and I think the laser was cutting the whole weekend.
Bottom Line: I wish them all the best. I gave them a token sponsorship to show my good will. I hope this makes lasers more accessible and helps put a factory of every desktop. If I was in the market for a laser and not addicted to building my own stuff, I might buy one.
Bart
"If you didn't build it, you will never own it."