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Frickin Laser Beams!

Discussion in 'Concepts and Ideas' started by Mark Carew, Dec 7, 2013.

  1. Mark Carew

    Mark Carew OpenBuilds Team
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  2. Robert Hummel

    Robert Hummel Custom Builder
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    Hmmmm ! "Gears turning in head" ;)
     
  3. Mark Carew

    Mark Carew OpenBuilds Team
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    Uh Oh :D thats a good thing!
     
  4. Robert Hummel

    Robert Hummel Custom Builder
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    I did a little digging and with a few mods I can get the laser v board up to the 2w mark, after that your just killing the 445nm.
    In order to get 7w's of 445nm light you require 4 x 445nm diodes and a multi diode housing containing mirrors to combined beams.
    The problem with 445nm for cutting wood is simply it burns rather then I guess you would say vaporize.
    In plastic the effect is more of a melt.
    For anyone wanting to cut wood using laser diodes I would look into the infrared spectrum, minimum of 1w.
    Just my opinion and I will try my mod first before spending the cash :)
    Awesome driver board none the less ;)
    Ty for the link it brought up a lot more info on the 445nm then I seen before.
    Learned a lot!
    Note: @ 500ma the 445nm is 250mw @ 1 amp about 1w @ 1.5 amps 2w range
    Off to the drawing board :D
     
  5. Mark Carew

    Mark Carew OpenBuilds Team
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    Sweet!

    What about the diodes they are selling that are 10w pulsed (may have been asked before?) http://www.ebay.com/itm/PULSED-LASE...207?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item417a961c2f
    Is it that the board to use this would be to expensive to make?
    Welcome, found it and thought hey the guys would like this! :)

    Also found these guys 5w
    http://www.ebay.com/itm/0-5-1-2-3-4...-package-/150960874002?_trksid=p2054897.l4275
     
  6. Mark Carew

    Mark Carew OpenBuilds Team
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  7. Robert Hummel

    Robert Hummel Custom Builder
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  8. Robert Hummel

    Robert Hummel Custom Builder
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    Not to sure about pulsed drivers but anything can be built :)
    I'm looking into things as I wouldn't mind cutting wood
     
  9. Mark Carew

    Mark Carew OpenBuilds Team
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    COOL :) but still to much $
    Now your talkin! Its great to hear your looking into this Robert. I am looking to cut 1/4" white foam sheet but at super high speeds. So I am thinking a higher power system may do the trick.
     
  10. Robert Hummel

    Robert Hummel Custom Builder
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    You may be surprised still with what you can do with the 445nm, in foam I'm sure you will have success as density plays a role.;)
    For instance I make paint stencils using painter tape, 3m Carbon fiber style car wrap and others.
    I will keep crunching the keys though :D
    On with the hunt haha

    If I had more money and v-groove a 40w tube is what I'd be doing lol
     
  11. Mark Carew

    Mark Carew OpenBuilds Team
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    I want to stay away from the tubes, I just think its some much cleaner to use the diodes
     
  12. Frank G Haymes

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    What type of laser would it take to cut 1/4" plywood?

    How hard would it be to mount the laser on the OX Router?
     
  13. Frank G Haymes

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    Just to get the back on track.

    Would the 1.7W 445nm Laser Diode from J Tech Photonics work for cutting 1/4" plywood?
     
  14. The Dude

    The Dude Well-Known
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    a laser will cut through anything, eventually. If you have more time than money, get a weak laser and run 50 passes over the same material to cut all the way through. If you have more money than time, get the most powerful laser available and run it over material as fast as your machine can go or even make 2 or 3 duplicates at a time by stacking the material.
     
    Mark Carew likes this.
  15. Tweakie

    Tweakie OpenBuilds Team
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    Not successfully or very well.
    The main problem with plywood is the bonding agent - some plywoods cut well with my laser some just don't.

    Tweakie.
     
  16. Public Do Omens

    Guest Builder

    Why would we use laser on ply, what's wrong with milling?

    I know people like Star Wars but really we don't need to live the fantasy.

    Mill it
     
  17. Tweakie

    Tweakie OpenBuilds Team
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    A laser is just another tool and we can never have too many tools ;)

    Tweakie.
     
  18. Tweakie

    Tweakie OpenBuilds Team
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    ;)

    Good fortune with your build my friend - are you opting for a diode laser and what power rating ?

    Tweakie.
     
  19. Tweakie

    Tweakie OpenBuilds Team
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    Sounds great, I look forward to seeing some pics and hearing of your progress.

    Tweakie.

    Just a general note for any that may consider using lasers...
    With diode lasers in particular it is important that protective eye-wear (rated at the wavelength of the particular laser) is being worn at all times the laser is in operation and /or capable of being placed into operation. This applies to all that are in sight of the machine when the laser is being or about to be used.
     
    bobt and JustinTime like this.
  20. Public Do Omens

    Guest Builder

    Lasers to cut wood nice idea as all star wars ideas are.

    This idea would suit balsa wood cutting more & dress pattern cutting.
    Good for us model makers & the wife.

    We normally use the tool for the job, not find a job for a tool!
    This is non-sense i think, and just an opinion.
     
  21. Agamemnon

    Agamemnon New
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    I've done some investigations into making these, and heard much the same. Aparrently certain wavelengths are more dangerous than others, but better safe than sorry with these things - can be very dangerous!

    One very sobering quote that I saw was this : "...You can be blind before you even realise something has gone wrong..."
     
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  22. SlyClockWerkz

    SlyClockWerkz Well-Known
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  23. Tweakie

    Tweakie OpenBuilds Team
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  24. Motions

    Motions Well-Known
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    If you're interested in laser engraving or cutting, I highly recommend checking out www.picengrave.com. These guys are right down the road from me and they are the pioneers in laser CNC engraving. I got started for around $100.
     

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