Domain: epiloglaser.com
Stories and comments across the archive that link to epiloglaser.com.
Comments · 6
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Re:http://www.foldscope.com/
To me, the most impressive part is that he claims they have very accurate focusing. I believe he said "micron" focusing. I'm not sure how that works, but the paper is cut to a very accurate shape (the video showed some sort of computer-controlled cutter, it might even have been a laser cutter).
The device being used to "draw" the lines *and* cut the paper in the video is an Epilog laser engraver. Hint: Not cheap (5-digit USD range).
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Laser cutter suggested
A 3D printer requires making 3D models, which can require considerable take time and skill to create. The printers are also very slow and good for only very small objects in a reasonable time frame. As an alternate, I suggest you consider a laser cutter. These act as "printers" for 2D vector files, which are easy to create in drawing programs like Corel. The user's complex shapes cut from plastic by the machine can be glued together to make many interesting and fascinating art projects. The laser cutter is fast enough so many people can use it what seems to be nearly the same time. You can get a good one for $10 to $15k. An Epilog Legend Mini 24 ( http://www.epiloglaser.com/legend_mini24.htm ) would be a good choice. We bought one two years ago at the Institute and it became an instant hit, busy all the time, with everyone using it.
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Re:Teak Etching!There are lots of laser etching/marking systems that work perfectly well with wood. The one that comes to mind first is Epilog who make things that are basically desktop printers with an industrial laser, so you put in your piece of whatever and it cuts it. They're fairly cheap, fairly rugged, and do a fantastic job of burning complex patterns into wood. (I know the people who make them, and have used them quite a bit.) They do a fine job with even fairly light woods like Southern Yellow Pine, and if you are willing to take some time and install a vacuum system to get all the burned debris out without getting crap all over the optics you could probably cut entirely through balsa sheet. (Maybe people already are: I haven't tried.)
The laser in the article would absolutely do a fine job of burning patterns in wood, but is interesting primarily because it has a significant working depth: it's designed to do more than just flat surfaces.
By the way, if you want you can absolutely make these yourself. You can get 250mW red laser diodes off ebay for about $30. Make sure you get a module rather than just the laser can itself, because it needs a focusing mirror -- laser diodes have highly divergent beams and act like a flashlight with an elliptical spot, without the lens. With the lens, a cheap laser can burn wood *right now*, like as fast as you get it focussed smoke starts coming off the piece of wood. Then mount it in an old plotter in place of the pen, and start dumping graphics to the plotter. It's really that easy.
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Re:Yes, but
When it get's attached to this.
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Re:Question on the cutting
It seems that Laser Engraving equipment does exist and can cut Marble without problem. Why would a laser need to perform a plunge cut? (Not that there aren't reasons, I just don't know them.)
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Re:Another use...
I used to work with an 25W Epilog CO2 laser. While watching a coworker, I saw him place a plastic part to be cut in the machine. What I did not see was that the part was placed incorrectly. He then closed the lid and pressed the start button. When he realized the part was incorrectly placed, he opened the lid and reached to save the part without hitting stop. Usually this would not be a problem. Unfortunately for him, he had bypassed the safety switch early that day and had not reset it. It burned a nice little line all the way down and through his index fingernail and into the cuticle before he realized his error.
While I have no doubt that it is possible to mark skin in decorative ways with this machine, I can assure you that it is not a painless process. :-)
John