Project OverviewThis was designed as a
"self replicating" laser cutter engraver'. What this means, is all of the high tolerance complicated parts can be made on a laser cutter. So, once one laser cutter is done, it can help make others. All of the other parts can either be purchased or made with common home tools.
This is not a mamby pamby little diode laser than can slowly cut through a piece of thin black tape. This will cut real materials, quickly. If you want to know what it can cut, go to a Ponoko type site and check out their materials list.
This was designed to be a dirt cheap, but fully capable laser cutter. Many of the material choices were made to satisfy that goal. I am sure many people will know of better materials, but usually at a higher cost. Feel free to substitute them .Almost everything that is not an off the shelf item, can be made with a laser cutter or router. To kick start the first generation of 'self replicating lasers, I have some kits
located here.
The
buildlog is presented blog style (most recent entry first) if you want to go view it the other way click here...
Take me to the beginning of the buildDrawings are hereKits are hereBill of Material is hereHow can you contribute to the project?
Participate in the forum.
Suggest changes. A lot of the design comes from your input.
Link to buildlog.net. More people + more ideas = better laser
Donate. Help fund the cost of the web site and costs associated with this project.
Note:This buildlog started before the forum, so the earliest entries are not shown. To see the very beginning of the buildlog click here. Grayscale/3D Engraving Tests.
The XMOS contrller appears to be setting the power as it should, but I am getting mixed results with grayscale engraving. Here is a gradient. The white box in the middle was is on purpose to see how well it turned off and resumed power. This about 0.300" inch tall and about 3.00" long. It was on a piece of maple.
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- grayscale.JPG (19.8 KiB) Viewed 56405 times
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There is a lot of color variation due to the material itself. I have tried a few gray scale images, but the image usually is overpowered by the coloring in the wood. On materials like granite, the color does not change much at all. On the wood, there is a definite depth change due to the power, which sort of looks cool. I will try to get a picture of that. I need some material suggestions to try more stuff on.