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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."

6 of 137 comments (clear)

  1. 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. 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?
  3. Actually optical choppers are very useful by caseih · · Score: 5, Interesting

    Warning: Science content.

    Several labs in my Uni's Chemistry Department regularly employ LASER choppers, if not "cutters". Simply stick the disk with the slits you want (to set the pulse duration) in front of the laser and set the motor to the desired RPM. That's how they get he pulse durations and frequencies that they need for their experiments. One could also use liquid crystal to turn the beam on and off rapidly. Come to think of it, I have no idea how a CD or DVD burner controls its laser. Maybe the laser can be turned on and off fast enough.

  4. 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
  5. 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.