Desktop Laser Cutting/Engraving

battle bots by minus_273 · 2003-04-20 07:29 · Score: 5, Funny

after reading what the laser will cut through.. man i wish they could have one of those on a battle bot :-p

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The war with islam is a war on the beast
The war on terror is a war for peace

Re:battle bots by BMojo · 2003-04-20 08:02 · Score: 4, Funny

I just wouldnt want to be in the croud as that thing gets flipped over.

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-BMojo

Hmmm.. by pdbogen · 2003-04-20 07:30 · Score: 5, Interesting

Not just wood, but a variety of materials, too..

I wonder if it can fabricate keys. "Government Property - Do Not Duplicate," here I come.

Re:Hmmm.. by roseblood · 2003-04-20 07:31 · Score: 5, Interesting

This would be great for cutting out the internal structures for model aircraft. Do you know how many spars and struts are in a 1:24th scale model of an F-14?

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There are lies, damned lies, and statistics.
Re:Hmmm.. by ebuck · 2003-04-20 08:55 · Score: 2, Interesting

When I worked for a univeristy that had such keys, we could never get them replicated. Well, that was until we put a piece of colored tape over the "warning" message and wrote the room number of the key on the tape.

After that, there was never a problem.

Well by Anonymous Coward · 2003-04-20 07:31 · Score: 4, Funny

If you shave your arm, numb it a bit, adjust the power, you have a home laser tattoo machine.

Re:Well by wotan2525 · 2003-04-20 09:01 · Score: 3, Informative

Actually I sell used equipment like this, very similar machines made by the same company (www.ulsinc.com). I've burned myself a few times on them and it doesn't leave a permanent scar, but it does hurt like a crazy mofo! www.usedlasers.com is mine, if you're interested. Good Luck, Rob

$10k!! by SpanishInquisition · 2003-04-20 07:31 · Score: 5, Funny

Imagine the price of a replacement cartidge on that one...

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Je t'aime Stéphanie

I envision... by philovivero · 2003-04-20 07:31 · Score: 4, Funny

...a (slashdotted) website actually hosted on one of these with content along the lines of "AOL CD in the Microwave" showing how you can carve an AOL CD into a cease-and-desist letter in five seconds flat.

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fifth sigma, inc.

Do you expect me to talk Goldfinger?? by TechnoGrl · 2003-04-20 07:35 · Score: 5, Funny

"No Mr. Bond, I expect you to die!"

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----- In Your Cubicle No One Can Hear You Scream...

so... I wonder... by Drakin · 2003-04-20 07:36 · Score: 5, Interesting

How many request for a free sample will VersaLaser be getting. (For those who haven't been to the site, they offer a free sample of material cut with the lazer)

More junk to collect!

Re:Slowly it's dying.... by polished+look+2 · 2003-04-20 07:40 · Score: 3, Informative

here is that particular page.

As seen on TechTV by cheezycrust · 2003-04-20 07:43 · Score: 4, Informative

As they mention on their site, TechTV did a short story about it (it's the last item on the list).

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Teenagers these days don't have as much sex as they want each other to think they do.

PCB Routing by Gyorg_Lavode · 2003-04-20 07:56 · Score: 3, Interesting

I wonder if these could be used as an inexpensive way of routing PCBs. It seems it would be more reliable way to make boards without using a drill bit which would definately be niced. They don't seem to mention it being usable on metals though.

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I do security

Re:PCB Routing by ahecht · 2003-04-20 08:06 · Score: 3, Informative

The problem with using lazer cutting on metals is that a lot of the light will reflect back up and fry the lazer. You would need to put a non-reflective coating on first. If you've ever bought stainless steel that had a white plastic sheet on it that you had to peel off, it was probably lazer cut, because the white plastic was the above mentioned non-reflective coating.
Re:PCB Routing by Anonymous Coward · 2003-04-20 11:32 · Score: 2, Informative

It's a CO2 laser. Metal at that wavelength is plainly opaque, as is most of the solids mentioned. That's the whole reason it can cut--if it were "light" in the visible sense, it couldn't cut the glass because it would be passing through it. That's why there are 2 lasers in the product--the one is used as pointer (visible spectrum) to show where the invisible beam is (CO2 laser, which does the cutting).

More likely the wattage is not strong enough to cut metal, but is on the other materials. 500W seems weak, but I don't know what electronics they are messing with.

btw, the protective plastic sheet on the stainless steel was unlikely there because it was laser cut. The plastic sheet is used to protect the metal during processing and shipping; when you ship this stuff, it usually is the same material against the same material (meaning, other pieces can damage neighboring pieces sufficiently). They do this with stainless steel, aluminum, many glass types, acrylic, and polished steel. While stainless steel isn't that easily scratched (and if it is, you can polish/buff it out), many have a certain finish that you don't want to mess with or want returns due to a stray deep scratch.
Re:PCB Routing by NormalVisual · 2003-04-20 15:04 · Score: 3, Informative

In several years of working for a large laser marking/engraving system manufacturer, I've never seen reflection from the workpiece damage a laser (not sure how it could, really). If you're getting a lot of reflection, it means that the beam is not coupling well into the workpiece, which usually means you're using the wrong laser for the job. I always get a chuckle when I hear of customers trying to mark on wood with a Nd:YAG rail and complaining of poor performance.

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Please stand clear of the doors, por favor mantenganse alejado de las puertas

Try before you buy... by PontifexPrimus · 2003-04-20 08:09 · Score: 5, Interesting

You could check here; they seem to have at least one laser cutter, plus several other 3d-fabricating machines. You can even submit your own CAD-files for jewelry, toys etc.

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-- Language is a virus from outer space.

Re:3D Copying by sydlexic · 2003-04-20 08:24 · Score: 4, Funny

I've seen this somewhere before.

yeah, slashdot about a month ago. we call this the RAINs effect: Redundant Array of Infinitely-repeating News stories.

Re:Try before you buy...Or buy your own! by t0qer · 2003-04-20 08:49 · Score: 3, Informative

Those are all professional grade machines, I never saw those before and thank
you for the link.

However have you ever seen the
stuff Roland puts out? They make a desktop CNC mills for under $1500
that can produce small items. Leases start at $100 @ mo. They have
desktop laser 3D scanners (put a real world object in, produces 3d model) too.

Yes, now my counterfeit plates ... by Anonymous Coward · 2003-04-20 08:53 · Score: 4, Funny

will produce even cleaner and crisper $100 bills.

Re:I don't think it requires replacement cartridge by wotan2525 · 2003-04-20 09:05 · Score: 5, Interesting

Actually they use a patented quick change co2 laser cartridge with a lifespan of ten to twelve THOUSAND hours of use. After that you trade it back in and get a new one at the cost of about $1500. www.usedlasers.com -- we sell these machines used. Thanks, rob

Engrave Windows CD by SpikyTux · 2003-04-20 09:26 · Score: 3, Funny

I find one use of it - If you can't get a refund of your unused Windows CD, engrave it with the words "It sucks! Give me back my money!" and send it to Microsoft.

Re:Wonderful. by jcr · 2003-04-20 09:47 · Score: 3, Informative

If you, for instance, use this to cut out parts of model aircraft, you still have to glue the aircraft together. That, to me, sounds a bit harder than cutting it out

You haven't built any model airplanes, have you?

Laser-cut parts have been all the rage in R/C modelling for the last several years. We used to spend a hellaciously long time cutting out small parts from sheets of balsa wood, (and re-cutting when we broke a piece, or cut too far, etc.)

At these prices, it's probably within the reach of a model airplane club to buy one. Fantastic!

-jcr

--
The only title of honor that a tyrant can grant is "Enemy of the State."

But can you... by NewtonsLaw · 2003-04-20 09:48 · Score: 3, Funny

But can you attach it to a fricken shark's fricken head?

URL for their demo video by metlin · 2003-04-20 09:58 · Score: 3, Informative

The URL for their demo video is here -http://www.versalaser.com/english/techtv.wmv

It is kinda slowing down, right now am getting about 20kbps.

You could by kingkade · 2003-04-20 09:59 · Score: 3, Funny

just use a hamster.

"Now Mr. Shaggles, I'm going to dress you up in this miniature tuxedo I took of of my sister's Goin' Out Tonight Ken (TM) doll, and then I'm going to strap you to a 1/25th-scale mock-up of the table in Gold Finger made out of popsicle sticks. Then, I will dismember you with this high-powered, laser engraving printer. Any objections? No? (Hamster beginning to visible cry) Excellent."

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why run from Vincenzo?

How about bigger projects? by cgleba · 2003-04-20 10:24 · Score: 3, Informative

For bigger projects there is a company called
Photomachining (http://www.photomachining.com)
that has some pretty serious laser systems that
sell for about $100k. Check it out. . .some
pretty neat stuff.

They'll also laser machine just about anything for
you in any custom way. Anything from PCBs to
medical devices to laser-etched guitar picks.

you'd end up cutting the ceiling by Anonymous Coward · 2003-04-20 10:38 · Score: 2, Informative

The problem with reflection isn't just that it can bounce back into the laser, the problem is that by reflecting the energy, the metal isn't absorbing much.

If the metal doesn't absorb much energy, your ability to cut it will be limited.

Every time I try to do desktop laser cutting by WillASeattle · 2003-04-20 13:31 · Score: 3, Funny

The teacher starts yelling at me.

Something about "public property".

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> --- All Of The Above --- >

REALLY intricate holiday cookies? by Anonymous Coward · 2003-04-20 13:46 · Score: 2, Funny

One shudders to think what Martha Stewart would do with one of these things...

Jesus Tapdancing Christ! by NETHED · 2003-04-20 13:48 · Score: 2, Insightful

500 WATTS!??! Even if a third of that power actually goes to lasing, thats a really powerful laser!

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--sig fault--

Re:Jesus Tapdancing Christ! by NormalVisual · 2003-04-20 15:08 · Score: 2, Informative

I didn't see anything on the site indicating the actual laser power, but I'll bet money it's under 25 watts. It's quite common to see 100 watt lasers draw 7-8 kW, most of which goes to heat.

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Please stand clear of the doors, por favor mantenganse alejado de las puertas

Not a cure-all by cybermace5 · 2003-04-20 14:58 · Score: 3, Informative

It's great for actually cutting stuff, for when you're using flat materials; fast, and a very small kerf.

As such it's just a 2D device. Can't do some of the more useful CNC work such as fly-cutting surfaces, pocket cutting, and 3D slopes.

If you want to do the same thing and can live with an 1/8" or 1/16" kerf, you can build a homebuilt CNC machine for an incredibly low price. Depending on what parts you make and where you get them, the price can range from near nothing to $750. Plus you get 3D profiling and a much more flexible machine: put a pen in it and sign lots of certificates, put a woodburning iron in it and make a cool clock face, put a small router in it and engrave your logo into your valve covers.

Just do a Google search for "homebuilt CNC" and you'll find plenty of good links.

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Calm down by SuperBanana · 2003-04-20 16:31 · Score: 2, Informative

500 WATTS!??! Even if a third of that power actually goes to lasing, thats a really powerful laser!

Calm down....electrical input and lased light output have NOTHING to do with each other.

Most cutting/welding lasers are usually no more than 100W lased light output(and we're talking BIG units here, for cutting thick, strong metals, and doing so quickly). In fact, if you look at the parent company's website for this "junior" unit, you can see they offer modules from 20W to about 60W. I'm guessing the "junior" unit has a 20W supply.

Still, 20W is a lot; around 5mW you're getting power levels capable of doing damage to the eye(this is calculated based on the time it takes for the brain to think "BRIGHT LIGHT!" and for the eyelid to respond; past a certain power level, damage occurs before the brain+eyelid can react).

I wonder how they get around the licensing restrictions on high-power laser systems(yes, believe it or not, over a certain power level, they're 'controlled' devices, given the trouble they can cause.)

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Please help metamoderate.

Re:Calm down by ipsuid · 2003-04-20 17:40 · Score: 2, Interesting

Licensing is via the CDRH (part of the FDA). According to the specifications for the printer:

"Class 1 safety enclosure for CO2 laser beam. Class IIIa for red laser pointer."

This means that the CO2 laser is fully enclosed when the cover is closed (which would be opaque to infared red) and the cover would have a interlock switch to turn off the laser when open.

If the beam were exposed, then it would be a class IV device, require a key switch, and all kinds of other fun stuff.

The best CO2 lasers can approach 30% efficiency, so the laser in this is definately less then 150W, most likely much less.

100W for a CO2 laser is nothing... the big CO2 cutting lasers have light outputs in the kilowatts.

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It appears Ockham lost his razor and grew a beard.

One of my customers does this.. by wotan2525 · 2003-04-20 17:29 · Score: 2, Informative

One of my customers: http://www.laserlizard.com/ does this exact thing.

Rob
www.usedlasers.com

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Desktop Laser Cutting/Engraving

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