Ben I got an idea for your next project, although you have done a few similar. I am new to the cnc, 3d printing and laser cutting.engraving and dont have much room to do all. Could you build a machine that does all of them. ( maybe excluding cnc because of the amount of mass on the moving head could cause problems) To save time use a current 3d printer and the hot plate could be made of mild steel. (so the laser couldn't cut through the base) The laser could be in the base to keep it save and controlled by mirrors to the head of the 3d printer to save weight. ( the mirrors don't have to be at the same point as the 3d nozzle because the movements are the same. Mite be able to use the same chip set and maybe code. I haven't seen anything like this before either in your shop videos or in industry. I was thinking of making the laser 40 to 50watts. Was wondering what your ideas are?
