Slashdot Mirror


DIY Laser Cutter Raises Capital, Concerns

An anonymous reader sends this quote from Wired: "Affordable 3-D printers and CNC mills are popping up everywhere, opening up new worlds of production to wide ranges of designers. However, one major tool still hasn’t received a DIY overhaul: the laser cutter. Maybe people are sensitive because Goldfinger tried to cut James Bond in half with one, but all that changes now with Patrick Hood-Daniel’s new Kickstarter, 'Build Your Own Laser Cutter.' ... A 40-watt laser tube and power supply means it can cut a variety of materials: wood, plastic, fabric, and paper. ... There is one major red flag, however. The machine’s frame is built from of Medium Density Overlay (MDO) — a type of plywood. Hood-Daniels says this is a feature, making the blackTooth less sensitive to thermal distortion and inaccuracy than a metal frame, but it also creates a serious, fire-breathing concern. ... When asked for comment, Hood-Daniel says 'Initially, I had the same thoughts as to the precarious use of wood for the structure, but even with long burns to the structure which were made on accident when starting a run, there was no ignition.'"

7 of 184 comments (clear)

  1. This is bad news by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny

    This will destroy Rock, Scissors and Paper.

    Nothing beats Laser Cutter. The game is ruined.

    1. Re:This is bad news by The+Grim+Reefer · · Score: 4, Funny

      This will destroy Rock, Scissors and Paper.

      Nothing beats Laser Cutter. The game is ruined.

      Rods from God beats 40 watt laser cutter.

    2. Re:This is bad news by alexander_686 · · Score: 4, Funny

      I don’t know. In every game of laser chess I played mirror beats laser. Now we just need to figure in lizards and Spocks.

    3. Re:This is bad news by mr1911 · · Score: 5, Funny

      "all the girls" = AC's nickname for his left hand

      --
      This post comes with a double-your-money-back guarantee!
      Any offense taken to this post is at your sole discretion.
  2. Re:So... by Java+Pimp · · Score: 5, Funny

    The "Concern" in the title is that it is made of wood... and therefore may be a witch.

    --
    Ascalante: Your bride is over 3,000 years old.
    Kull: She told me she was 19!
  3. Re:various materials by Lumpy · · Score: 3, Funny

    yours doesn't do that? I must have built my disc saw improperly....

    --
    Do not look at laser with remaining good eye.
  4. Re:Somewhat dangerous? by vlm · · Score: 5, Funny

    I sincerely hope they don't plan on having a DIY 40 watt laser enclosure in every house

    Next thing you know lunatics will be demanding kilowatt level radio frequency magnetrons in every kitchen.

    And powering lawn trimming machines using refined ultra low flashpoint hydrocarbons

    Oh the humanity think of the children

    --
    "Science flies us to the moon. Religion flies us into buildings." - Victor Stenger