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New Real Life Laser-Rifle Cuts Through Metal Like a Blowtorch

Posted by samzenpus on from the like-a-hot-knife-through-butter dept.

dryriver writes "We've seen real laser guns before pulling off tricks like starting small fires, or popping black balloons. That's cool, sure, but it's got nothing—on this handheld laser rifle. Developed by TWI this laser-cutter was initially designed for use by robots, but a few recent tweaks including a pistol-grip and a trigger made it into a human-sized rifle. It is designed specifically with nuclear decommission in mind, specifically chopping up huge pieces of metal infrastructure into bite-sized bits that are easily disposed of. And while it's definitely suited for that, it has some short-comings compared typical rifles. That range is pretty low, for instance, and it's not exactly mobile."

5 of 143 comments (clear)

  1. handheld rifle by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 2, Informative

    ...but truck-sized power supply. Just in case the Space Patrol thinks this is Star Trek. Plus, the atmosphere is a great shield; a 1$ bullet has more lethal range...

  2. Re: of course it isn't mobile by pollarda · · Score: 4, Informative

    This isn't very impressive. If it isn't mobile, then it is like any other cutting solution. Of course, if you want to see something really impressive for cutting metals, Petrogen is the way to go. It is an oxy-gasoline cutting torch and can cut up to 14 inches of steel at once. Be sure to check out their videos. Super impressive.

  3. Re:Safety at Work by flimflammer · · Score: 3, Informative

    The robotic version was made for nuclear decommission. There is no operator in the vicinity in that situation. The video here is just demonstrating the same laser beam technology with a mounted pistol grip for manual use.

  4. That's an interesting definition of "rifle". by mpoulton · · Score: 4, Informative

    Apparently I already have a plasma rifle in my garage! It shoots plasma and cuts metal with it - and just like this laser rifle, it requires compressed air and a remote power supply connected by an umbilical. I also have a MOLTEN METAL WELDING RIFLE! Similarly, it requires a power supply and umbilical assembly. Strangely, none of my actual rifles need cables or power supplies attached to them in order to operate.

    --
    I am a geek attorney, but not your geek attorney unless you've already retained me. This is not legal advice.
  5. Re:And what is the advantage over a plasma cutter? by ColdWetDog · · Score: 3, Informative

    Sharks don't use plasma cutters.

    Just say'in.

    --
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