Small Laser Engraver

[angrykoko]

Look.. mini laser engravers! 
How powerful would it have to be in order to get through powder coat?

http://www.banggood.com/collection-675.html

[pickdropper]

I don't think that would get the job done.  For comparison, I use a fairly low powered laser engraver and it's 30W.

[copachino]

this one will do the job but its more expensive

http://www.ebay.com/itm/CO2-LASER-ENGRAVING-MACHINE-FDA-COMPLIANT-W-COOLING-FAN-SAFE-DURABLE-USE-GREAT-/111215845517?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item19e4fb208d

[pickdropper]

this one will do the job but its more expensive

http://www.ebay.com/itm/CO2-LASER-ENGRAVING-MACHINE-FDA-COMPLIANT-W-COOLING-FAN-SAFE-DURABLE-USE-GREAT-/111215845517?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item19e4fb208d

That has enough power, but you'll probably want to modify it to use a different controller/software (see Stevie's mod thread on this forum).  Etching JPG and BMP files usually leaves really disappointing results.  For good results, you will want an engraver that is setup to handle vector files.

[culturejam]

I don't think that would get the job done.  For comparison, I use a fairly low powered laser engraver and it's 30W.

So I guess that makes wonder...what would you do with a 100-300 mW laser?

[pickdropper]

I don't think that would get the job done.  For comparison, I use a fairly low powered laser engraver and it's 30W.

So I guess that makes wonder...what would you do with a 100-300 mW laser?

Read CDs.  :-)


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[stevie1556]

I couldn't open the link to the one in the first post, but if it's what I think it is, then don't even try it, it won't work.

The one that copachino linked to, I've got one. I've heard mixed things about it, and seen some results ranging from great to shockingly bad. I've ripped everything of out mine and fitted a DSP controller and a up/down table. The laser is sold as 40W, but apparently the laser tube length means it's only 35W, not sure if it's true or not though, but as I etch at 15% power, which is either 5.25W or 6W depending on what power the tube actually is. Any laser less then that, and I think you will struggle to etch through powder coat.

My upgrade was massive, the only thing original left in the machine is the chassis, laser tube and the X-Y axis. It wasn't an easy or cheap upgrade, but now I now what I'm doing, I reckon I could just about do the full upgrade in a day. Would I recommend it over a upgraded machine out of the factory? Probably not, only because you can get a slightly bigger machine then the one I've got, with a slightly bigger cutting area and a up/down table that goes deeper for not much more then I spent. On the plus side, I've learnt a lot about how it works.

I do want to say though, that pickdropper really really really helped me out massively when I was first thinking about getting a laser cutter, so Dave, thank you!

[flanagan0718]

I don't think that would get the job done.  For comparison, I use a fairly low powered laser engraver and it's 30W.

So I guess that makes wonder...what would you do with a 100-300 mW laser?

Read CDs.  :-)


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Honestly i can't contribute...this made me laugh SO hard tho!

[muddyfox]

Yeah, I was gonna go with "annoy the cat" but you can hardly follow that one... 

[copachino]

be serious you can use it to engrave....... on paper ajajajaa, im not even sure if that could work to burn wood

[Haberdasher]

I don't think that would get the job done.  For comparison, I use a fairly low powered laser engraver and it's 30W.

So I guess that makes wonder...what would you do with a 100-300 mW laser?

[pickdropper]

I do want to say though, that pickdropper really really really helped me out massively when I was first thinking about getting a laser cutter, so Dave, thank you!

Thanks Steve.  It may sound like I am down on the cheaper machines (which I sort of am) but not because I don't want there to be cheaper options, but because I am skeptical of the quality and features of a lot of the cheaper options.  To me, $500-1000 is a lot if it turns out to be something I can't use.  Some of the cheap Chinese machines can be made to work, but they often require a lot of modification (like changing the controller board and adding an X-Y table).  Before we spent $10k on a laser engraver (much more with all of the peripheral bits needed for installation) I did a lot of research and found that the cheaper machines wouldn't get it done for what we needed.  In our case, it is production, so the considerations may be different than light hobbyist use.

Before buying anything (cheap or expensive) it is really very important to do some research on the care and feeding of the machines themselves.  I recommend spending some time reading the engravers forum at sawmillcreek.org.  Most of those guys are heavy pro users with heavy pro machines, but you can find info on the starter machines there from time to time.

Here are some important considerations when buying a machine.

1.)  Venting.  I've moved this up to the number 1 consideration because often people ignore it.  Can you run proper venting?  Do you like house fires?  These are both important questions.  On multiple occasions, I've seen acrylic burst into open flames when cut.  You need a proper ventilation system to pull air across the various materials while they are being cut (it's less important for etching powder coat).  The ventilation also helps remove fumes that you really don't want around you.  I was a bit bummed out that I couldn't put the FFX engraver at my house as it would've allowed me much needed access to it while prototyping.  In the end, it wouldn't have been safe so it had to be setup at somebody else's house.  Over there, we had to put in a $400 fan and a bunch of duct work.

2.)  Machine software: Don't overlook this; it's important.  Bad software can make calibrating the laser (and holding calibration) very difficult.  Even on the better lasers I sometimes find the software lacking, but it's improving a bit.  With the bigger name lasers at least you have the hope that there may be software upgrades down the line as those machines are expected to be used for years.  As I mentioned in my other post, it's also important to make sure that the machine will etch vector files.  Most Pros use Corel Draw or Adobe Illustrator (I use AI).  The machine I etch with has a driver that runs as a Windows printer driver so I can send a file from any program I wish.  Most of the cheaper machines are not configured this way (although I hope they will be someday soon, it wouldn't be that difficult).  There are often add-on controller boards you can swap in so you don't have to use the standard software.

3.)  Replacement parts.  If you want to buy a machine and use it for a year or so and then throw it away, replacement parts may not be important.  If you plan on using it a lot, it's really important.  Of course, how much you use it factors in as well.  At work, we had parts that needed replacement within the first year.  Because we got a US machine, we were able to get quick replacements at no cost to us under warranty.  No matter what machine you buy, check out the laser tube life and replacement laser cost.  The lasers are consumable and will need to be replaced over time.  The lasers on the pricier machines usually last longer, but they are also usually more expensive to replace.  Laser replacement cost is one of the areas that the cheaper machines do have an advantage, although they are lower quality.  But laser tubes are only part of the equation.  Personally, I wouldn't even spend $500 on a machine unless I knew I could buy replacement parts (or fab some myself).

[muddyfox]

Great stuff, Dave!

Thanks for the insight!

[selfdestroyer]

I don't think that would get the job done.  For comparison, I use a fairly low powered laser engraver and it's 30W.

So I guess that makes wonder...what would you do with a 100-300 mW laser?

I opened my garage up on weekends for lasik eye surgery. I have a 2 for one special going on if anyone is interested. LOL

Cody

[pickdropper]

I don't think that would get the job done.  For comparison, I use a fairly low powered laser engraver and it's 30W.

So I guess that makes wonder...what would you do with a 100-300 mW laser?

I opened my garage up on weekends for lasik eye surgery. I have a 2 for one special going on if anyone is interested. LOL

Cody

I'm going to need more specifics for this.  Does it mean:

A.)  I get two eyes fixed for the price of one?

or

B.) I come in with two partially functioning eyes and I trade them for one fully functioning eye.  That deal isn't as enticing.