A laser cutting table out of a printer

Former Member over 12 years ago

Is it possible to make a laser cutting table mostly out of a normal printer and how much would it cost?

0 jds123 over 12 years ago

you could try doing something like this http://builders.reprap.org/2010/08/selective-laser-sintering-part-8.html but it doesnt have a very large area to work with or you can go for something more like this http://www.buildlog.net/blog/2011/02/buildlog-net-2-x-laser/ which uses a more traditional cutting style. If you are doing the latter you are going to need a support frame, stepper motors on a belt drive ( at least 2) and a laser. Most of you money is probably going to the laser, as you will need a CO2 laser for proper functioning.
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0 Former Member over 12 years ago in reply to jds123

would a dvd laser work for cheap thin plastic? Im asking this coz ı herd about viruses making holes in cd drives by activating the writing laser.
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0 jds123 over 12 years ago in reply to Former Member

It would probably only work for some plastics, because DVD lasers are not all that powerfull because they have a relatively low waveleanth. I can not guarentee it will work, but if you have a dvd drive laying arround you can try cutting the plastic but you will need eye protection and a laser diode housing.
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0 Former Member over 12 years ago in reply to jds123

also have any idea of moving the z axis(not the one that moves the cartdiage unit)
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0 Former Member over 12 years ago

I have done a little research into home created laser cutters but haven't gotten very far yet. I know there several suppliers of 1 Watt lasers on Ebay. These would likely require a lot of passes to make the cut, but might be a cheaper option if time is not a constraint.

Hope this helps.
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0 jds123 over 12 years ago in reply to Former Member

usually you dont move the z axis, because the focal point of the laser is in the center of the plastic where it melts through the plastic. I would be careful with what kind of plastic you are cutting, because some plastics release toxic fumes.
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0 Former Member over 12 years ago in reply to jds123

Thanks a hwole lot for helping...
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0 Former Member over 12 years ago

Wouldn't a lower powered plasma cutter be a viable choice? I realize the difference between the two but... Just saying.
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