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.'"

Comments

Obvious Solution

[TemperedAlchemist]

Dope and paint the wood with flame retardant if it's such a concern.

Problem solved.

Re:Obvious Solution

[Lumpy]

Dont even do that. Paint it white.

we stopped a 100 watt laser from damaging the cutting sled by painting it gloss white. if you reflect 98% of the energy it's no longer strong enough to cut or burn. Granted you cant be a moron and work around these things without safety goggles, but keeping it from burning is really easy.

Re:various materials

[Rhywden]

What I forgot, just to be clear: I'm not speaking of reflections in a polished mirror. I'm talking about reflections from an ordinary wall.