Full Version: Build Your Own Laser Machine?
From: Mononeuron [#11]
3 Feb 2007
To: sroehlk (ELECTECH1) [#9] 26 Feb 2007
Hi sroehlk,
Thanks for the info but I came to this forum by way of a post at the CNCzone forum which I regularly read. I read everything I can get my eyes on at the moment about lasers and such and I have always wanted to build one ever since I was 13yo after reading about one in an encyclopaedia. I was always worried about keeping the optics clean and setting up a clean room to use it in but have found that it needn't be that critical, just careful. Now it is not beyond the average persons reach to build one, you just have to wade through a mountain of info and piece it all together. So far my investment is $3480 AUD and I have only to get some cable chain and I will be able to "have at it" so to speak.
I have found that many different forums have people who are expert in their field AND willing to share their hard earned knowledge sometimes gained over decades of practices. I am a sponge to them :-)
Corel Draw seems to be the all encompassing program for this type of thing and I will seriously look into it at a later date.
Stunt Engraver,
I will start a thread on the CNCzone forum in a few weeks when I get into building the laser. It won't be pretty or (hopefully) cost a fortune but it will work. I have no worries about that unless I break something :O) .
I will be using mostly off the shelf components or readily available things from stores and ebay etc.
Being stuck in the outback I need the internet for this and it has become my lifeline and my partners bane. Yes, the poor thing is an internet widow but it is ultimately for her anyway so she tolerates it. .
Rich.
From: Engravin' Dave (DATAKES) [#12]
4 Feb 2007
To: Mononeuron [#11] 4 Feb 2007
Rich,
So does your wife call you a mouse potato versus a couch potato?
From: Mononeuron [#13]
4 Feb 2007
To: Engravin' Dave (DATAKES) [#12] 5 Feb 2007
Well, not really. Mostly she calls me an idiot or a moron 'cause I try to make her laugh all the time by doing stupid childish things but I will let her know that she may add a couple more to her repertoire.
Thanks.
Rich.
Which reminds me.
When I die I would like to pass away like my grandmother did.
Quietly and peacefully in her sleep.
.
.
.
.
Unlike her 5 screaming passengers.
Have a good day. :-)
From: MR C (MOSHE) [#14]
8 Mar 2007
To: Mononeuron [#13] 16 Mar 2007
From: sroehlk (ELECTECH1) [#15]
8 Mar 2007
To: MR C (MOSHE) [#14] 8 Mar 2007
You can check here, only see 40 watts but you might ask.
http://www.plansandkits.com/lasers.html
From: Dave Jones (DAVERJ) [#16]
8 Mar 2007
To: MR C (MOSHE) [#14] 8 Mar 2007
From: Trout Bum (PBROCK1) [#17]
15 Mar 2007
To: ALL
There is a program called DeskCNC that works very well with PWM lasers. I used it with one I built. It even does good vector conversions from bitmaps. You use the Plasma cutter post processor that is contained in the list of post processors.
I can help you make it all work with stepper motors.
I have the program and a spare controller board and also a Russian 20w water cooled RF excited laser that works well with PWM I'm not using. It has a 2.5" focal length lens mounted on it.
It would be a less expensive start until all your bugs are worked out
From: Stunt Engraver (DGL) [#18]
16 Mar 2007
To: Mononeuron [#17] 16 Mar 2007
Trout Bum's post sounds as though it was directed at you.
http://engravingetc.org/forum/index.php?webtag=EE&msg=5933.17
From: Mononeuron [#19]
16 Mar 2007
To: Stunt Engraver (DGL) [#18] 16 Mar 2007
Hi all,
Sorry I haven't been back here for a while but work, visiting friends and the laser table have taken up most of my time. You can find the link of the laser building here
http://www.cnczone.com/forums/showthread.php?t=33485
if you are at all interested. Some of the pictures are a bit small and I really haven't had time to write a full description of the building yet but I will add that very soon over the next few weeks.
Thanks for the info Stunty.
Hi, Trout Bum,
I have seen DeskCNC and nearly bought it about 2 years ago but went with Mach2 and Desk Proto instead but I would definitely like to check it out. I use DeskArt as well but find it very hard to clean up the files for it to work properly when engraving in wood.
I am using a hybrid design on the laser table with servos for the X and Y axis and steppers for the table rise and A axis rotary attachment. I have gone for 4 screws to raise the table but in hind sight I think it would have been better with a scissor jack arrangement as it would be more stable. I still might change it if it proves too unstable with the x axis whizzing along at 3-4 meters a second
The Russian laser sounds interesting and I would like to build another laser at a later date to engrave marble and granite slabs and I think 10-20 watts is fine for that (correct me if I'm wrong)
Does anybody know if the aluminum first mirrors in laser photocopiers would work for very long in a low powered laser setup, say 30-60 watts? I strip a lot of copiers down for their parts and would love to try it out. I may when the laser is up and running.
Thanks
Richard.