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ArcticMyst Security by Avery

$90 Laser Engraver Kit?






Joined
May 25, 2013
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Do it! I wonder if you could test the output to the diode, and then put a different diode in to get 500mW+

why do i always think HIGH POWER.....
 

rhd

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Do it! I wonder if you could test the output to the diode, and then put a different diode in to get 500mW+

why do i always think HIGH POWER.....

Ordered.

Yep, I'll definitely change the diode, unless there's some reason it looks problematic to do so.
 

ru124t

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Jan 17, 2014
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Very cool, subscribed ! Most excellent find! I need this!!!
 

rhd

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I have a 10W fibre coupled 808 on the way that may work ;)
 
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Aug 11, 2013
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Wow, really have to follow this. Almost considered buying it right away for that price. Will probably wait for your review though. Does anyone have any idea whether the price / availability will (drastically) change soon? Not familiar with the site :)
 
Joined
Sep 25, 2007
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great find! Thanks! I might do this one... yet this reminds me that I have H
HEAVY boxes full of old hardrives, cd and dvd drives.

This way I could do it in a day
-rather than-
Perpetually putting it aside till another day

^^^ my life is full of that!
 
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Jan 7, 2007
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Do I read correctly -- They provide the driver software?
How hard is it to program?
HMike
 
Joined
Aug 11, 2013
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Looked over this again with some friends, seems they have 2 more versions:

One other with 300mW and what looks like much better heatsinking. Rest is very similar. 30% more expensive.

One with 300mW again, but now a 17*20cm area that can be engraved. 100% more expensive than the small 300mW one.
 

rhd

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Looked over this again with some friends, seems they have 2 more versions:

One other with 300mW and what looks like much better heatsinking. Rest is very similar. 30% more expensive.

One with 300mW again, but now a 17*20cm area that can be engraved. 100% more expensive than the small 300mW one.

300mW is a 660nm diode instead of 405.
 

rhd

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Nice find!

I think for the extra ~$40, I'd rather just add a 2W 445, or an 800mW 405.

It will be interesting to see:
1) How they're driving the diode. Is it an independent driver that they're triggering with a line that I could easily use to trigger another diode? Or is the driver integrated more intimately with the control hardware making it more difficult to adapter to higher currents?
2) Is the diode run "monochrome" (on/off) or is there variable power? If variable power, is it varying power based on current, or PWM? If current, is there a way to map that variable current to the higher current curve of a more powerful diode?
3) Does the software provide some sort of speed scaling, so that a more powerful diode can move around more quickly, such that you don't just "burn more"?
4) Does the mechanism support a heavier diode module, so that heatsinking can be added?
 
Joined
Aug 11, 2013
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4) Does the mechanism support a heavier diode module, so that heatsinking can be added?

I'd be tempted to say yes due to my first link (300mW, 4x4cm). That one looks quite a bit heavier than small module. It does have more plastic instead of wood though, that might be related :)
 
Joined
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Interested to see what these are really like. If the software is easy to work with (well, as easy as chinese software can be) and the movement speed can be easily changed, I would consider buying one. The only thing I would want it for would be cutting thin balsa and plastic, so I would definitely put a higher powered 445 in it, or maybe the 3.5W 808 c-mount I have. I really don't like how they have the laser just bodged on there with some glue, although the link in the OP seems to have a nicer mounting system (but no good for anything that needs heatsinking).
 




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