by BenJackson » Wed Jan 04, 2012 7:17 pm
Bart,
I think you should build a suitcase-sized 2.x laser. Shrink only the linear dimensions (ideally maintaining aspect ratio) but keep all of the included mechanical components the same. There wouldn't be room for electronics, or the real laser, but it would be easy to carry/ship and would demonstrate the MakerSlide movement. It could even have a laser pointer in a special mount to show the beam path. You could leave out the steppers, belts, possibly even parts of the structure to reduce weight. Sort of a caricature of the original rather than a true miniature (with every part scaled).
The result would be something any of us could take to local maker meetings or hackerspaces to demonstrate what the 2.x Laser is about. We could ship it around on some schedule to anyone willing to promote the 2.x Laser.