CO2 Laser: Difference between revisions
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*reflection mirror | *reflection mirror | ||
*mirror mount | *mirror mount | ||
=Design Rationale= | |||
The enabling point of a practical, low-cost laser design is the ability to do significant cuts (1/8") by performing multiple passes over the cut pattern. If each cut does 10 thousandth of an inch in steel for an 80 watt laser - then 12 passes give you a 1/8" cut. This is sufficient, for example, to laser-cut a 20" [[Sawmill]] blade | |||
=Resources= | =Resources= | ||
Revision as of 18:50, 25 October 2009
Introduction
A low-cost laser cutter ($1-2k) can be made using laser engraver parts.
- The CO2 laser tube - $500 for 80 Watts
- Laser tube mount
- power supply
- focus lens - $65 at [1]
- lens mount
- reflection mirror
- mirror mount
Design Rationale
The enabling point of a practical, low-cost laser design is the ability to do significant cuts (1/8") by performing multiple passes over the cut pattern. If each cut does 10 thousandth of an inch in steel for an 80 watt laser - then 12 passes give you a 1/8" cut. This is sufficient, for example, to laser-cut a 20" Sawmill blade
Resources
- Excellent resources for homebrew lasers - http://planetstephanie.net/hi-tech-fun/lasers/
- Here's an Instructables laser cutter for thousands of dollars - [2]
- Not CO2, but still a homebrew laser engraver for $60, 1/4 watt - [3]