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Grad Student Invents Cheap Laser Cutter

Posted by samzenpus on from the frugal-cutting dept.

An anonymous reader writes "Peter Jansen, a PhD student and member of the RepRap community, has constructed a working prototype of an inexpensive table-top laser cutter built out of old CD/DVD drives as an offshoot of his efforts to design an under $200 open-source Selective Laser Sintering (SLS) 3D printer. Where traditional laser cutters use powerful, fixed-focus beams, this new technique dynamically adjusts the focal point of the laser using a reciprocating motion similar to a reciprocating saw, allowing a far less powerful and inexpensive laser diode to be used. The technique is currently limited to cutting black materials to a depth of only a few millimeters, but should still be useful and enabling for Makers and other crafters. The end-goal is to create a hybrid inexpensive 3D printer that can be easily reconfigured for 2D laser cutting, providing powerful making tools to the desktop."

17 of 137 comments (clear)

  1. Dual Use? by WrongSizeGlass · · Score: 3, Funny

    The end-goal is to create a hybrid inexpensive 3D printer that can be easily reconfigured for 2D laser cutting, providing powerful making tools to the desktop

    3D printer and a laser cutter? I'm no office machine expert but I don't think I want a printer capable of transforming into a laser cutter ... I've seen the Twilight Zone and this doesn't end well.

    1. Re:Dual Use? by derGoldstein · · Score: 2, Funny

      I'm no office machine expert but I don't think I want a printer capable of transforming into a laser cutter

      Not is Michael Bay is involved, anyway...

      --
      Entomologically speaking, the spider is not a bug, it's a feature.
  2. It will never sell. by seeker_1us · · Score: 5, Funny

    Why would anyone want to cut a laser?

    1. Re:It will never sell. by TubeSteak · · Score: 5, Funny

      Why would anyone want to cut a laser?

      So it'll fit better on small sharks?

      --
      [Fuck Beta]
      o0t!
    2. Re:It will never sell. by Thud457 · · Score: 2, Funny

      don't be a dope, if you cut a laser, then you have two lasers.

      --

      the preceding comment is my own and in no way reflects the opinion of the Joint Chiefs of Staff

    3. Re:It will never sell. by derGoldstein · · Score: 3, Funny

      Well yeah, but they're each only half as long.

      --
      Entomologically speaking, the spider is not a bug, it's a feature.
    4. Re:It will never sell. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Funny

      lasers...sharks

      Another dumbtard geek/nerd meme that just refuses to die. Damn you Mike Myers!

      KHAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

  3. Interesting note by oldspewey · · Score: 5, Funny

    His roommate's PhD project is the inexpensive cloning of sharks.

    I'm not sure I like where this is headed.

    --
    If libertarians are so opposed to effective government, why don't they all move to Somalia?
  4. Where can we get cheap sharks to go with this? by Joe+The+Dragon · · Score: 2, Funny

    Where can we get cheap sharks to go with this?

  5. Re:Member of RepRap? by santax · · Score: 2, Funny

    Oh god, that really makes me think it isn't fit for my goal! Bad marketing indeed!

  6. Re:Member of RepRap? by GaryOlson · · Score: 2, Funny

    That laser head starts rastering across the material fast enough it's just what the device sounds like: reprap,reprap,reprap,reprap.....

    --
    Every mans' island needs an ocean; choose your ocean carefully.
  7. I'll be impressed by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 2, Funny

    when the thing can cut through the fruitcake I got last Christmas

  8. Re:I was not aware what RepRap was by Trepidity · · Score: 5, Funny

    I'm afraid your only choices are zero or infinite self-replicating replicators.

    --
    10 PRINT CHR$(205.5+RND(1)); : GOTO 10
  9. Re:As opposed to doers? by TheLink · · Score: 3, Funny

    Yeah Shai-Hulud's been around for a while.

    --
  10. Re:MOAR POWER! by Jedi+Alec · · Score: 5, Funny

    I'm going to be up front and honest and tell you "I don't know".

    Ok, that's it. Please hand in your Slashdot ID on the way out...not knowing something is one thing, but actually admitting it?

    Shame on you sir, shame on you.

    --

    People replying to my sig annoy me. That's why I change it all the time.
  11. Re:ahem by bakamorgan · · Score: 1, Funny

    I was thinking something more along the lines of this http://img186.imageshack.us/i/desktopbg31024x76813510zp4.jpg/

  12. Not on male sharks by SmallFurryCreature · · Score: 2, Funny

    The "smaller" the shark, the bigger the laser. Same as American males drive really big cars. It is called "compensating".

    --

    MMO Quests are like orgasms:

    You may solo them, I prefer them in a group.