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ArcticMyst Security by Avery

Laser Tool: Homemade handheld engraver/Pen

Joined
Oct 31, 2009
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Thanks.

Have to say one thing: I have not that many tools. Most stuff is handmade...literally.
 





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Aug 17, 2010
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it looks like there is a dim bot to line it up or is that just how it looks in the video - like a low power then really high power

what is the power output - or approximate output if you dont have a meter

please post more pics of the build and the electronics running it

I really want something like this so I can cut plastic into small shapes for random products and fun - I would assume that a IR laser would be the best to use for this since they are really high power

what about making some kinda shield that extends from the device that will allow you to use it up close to things and be safe, sorta like the thingie that is on a water jet cutter to block the spray of water or whats on some CO2 lasers that cover the working space for the laser not the whole unit - only problem I see is it needs some kinda exhaust or it will fill up with smoke fast
 
Joined
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If you wanna cut plastic, I would buy a band-saw! No kidding...nothing beats a band-saw. Just got one and its a great tool...new possibilities ^^

I dont have taken any pics of the ongoing progress this time. It was just a quick-shot you know. "Planned" and built...

If you wanna cut stuff real fast, you will need a CO2 or Nd:YAG laser. High power...pulsed or CW.
 
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Dec 15, 2009
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Looks great, and I like how it tracts a dot over the surface to show where its going to burn
 
Joined
Oct 31, 2009
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I have chosen a bigger electrolytic capacitor to be on the driver...the remaining charge causes this dot. BUT....I have glasses on, so I dont even se the damn dot xD
 
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Dec 25, 2009
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Well you would need WAY more than 1W blue to cut metal. Not sure how many watts though.

I know, lol
One can calculate it if they know which formulae to use
Solving a complicated heat equation being a very important part of that process.
 
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Only a matter of absorbtion...I BELIEVE blue would cause more damage than IR. Metals reflect IR well. On the other hand: Best metallic reflector for UV is aluminum...

Would be cool to know. Maybe an engraver for metal, dremel-size is not that unrealistic then.
 
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Only a matter of absorbtion...I BELIEVE blue would cause more damage than IR. Metals reflect IR well. On the other hand: Best metallic reflector for UV is aluminum...

Would be cool to know. Maybe an engraver for metal, dremel-size is not that unrealistic then.

rate of absorbtion* because that is what determines how fast a metal will heat up and thus if you can deliver enough energy in time before the conductive nature of the metal distributes that energy and cools the spot down
 
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Exactly. But I have no idea how blue compares to IR...thats what I meant.
You need pulsed lasers to engrave and cut metal. Or very high CW outputs.
 
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Exactly. But I have no idea how blue compares to IR...thats what I meant.
You need pulsed lasers to engrave and cut metal. Or very high CW outputs.

Yeah, I don't know how the different wavelengths compare either. I know CO2 is used, and I am guessing at this point but it may be because its easy to get high powers while still falling within some cost/benefit ratio?

And yeah pulsed lasers make sense.
So I'm curious about the optics you used for this thing? :)
 
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Cylindrical lens with a high f in combination with the collimator-lens.

I have pulsed laser, but they can fire only once per minute. Higher rates would need water-cooling. Which would increase size and weight.

CO2 lasers are "efficient"...12% or so...these days the use diode-pumped YAG lasers. 1064nm are absorbed very well by steel.
 
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Cylindrical lens with a high f in combination with the collimator-lens.

I have pulsed laser, but they can fire only once per minute. Higher rates would need water-cooling. Which would increase size and weight.

CO2 lasers are "efficient"...12% or so...these days the use diode-pumped YAG lasers. 1064nm are absorbed very well by steel.

Sorry what? You mean the collimator lens in the aixiz module right? and then an external cylindrical lens? Why a cylindrical one?

And you just reminded me - higher power cutting applications, specifically drilling, tophat beam profiles are used.
 




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