Let's mount one of these on a VSlot / OpenRail platform! I think this is the same one that @Ridgeback is using on his awesome Dual Extruder 3D Printer and Laser Cutter combo build! Check it out here http://jtechphotonics.com/?product=1-7w-445nm-laser-diode-and-2-0-amp-adjustable-driver-kit More great info on the driver board http://jtechphotonics.com/?page_id=126
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
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
Is this really 10w laser pointer? I really like the crazy looking case its in but the price is nuts. http://www.dhgate.com/store/product...er-10000mw-burn/157577856.html#st_free-5-null
Not to sure about pulsed drivers but anything can be built I'm looking into things as I wouldn't mind cutting wood
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.
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 On with the hunt haha If I had more money and v-groove a 40w tube is what I'd be doing lol
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?
Just to get the back on track. Would the 1.7W 445nm Laser Diode from J Tech Photonics work for cutting 1/4" plywood?
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.
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.
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
Like Tweakie said, the more tools the better! lol But on a serious note, on my PhlatPrinter I have a milling attachment and a Sharpie attachment (and because of this darn Tweakie person a laser attachment is in the works ). I change the attachment to suit the application. I, most likely, will not cut 1/2" wood, be it plywood or solid wood, with the laser but if the laser attachment is on the machine and I'll have to cut 1/8" ply, I just might amend the g-code and cut it with the laser, rather than change the attachment.
Good fortune with your build my friend - are you opting for a diode laser and what power rating ? Tweakie.
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.
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.
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..."
I've been working on something just like this, but on a different platform. I think it could be used on an open builds platform easily though. Below are my schematics: http://www.thinkgeek.com/images/products/additional/large/f0f3_swflb.jpg
