Hello everyone! This is my first post here, I was quite happy to see a forum dedicated to laser pointer! I did a lot of research online and most of the thread opened on cnczone linked to your forum.
I am machining parts that I anodize myself. So far I always engrave them using a small cutting bits on my CNC mill but lately I have been intensively thinking about a laser. I found a lot of information online but most people use their laser to cut/engrave wood and plastic. I would like to use it to engrave part number and branding/logo on the parts that I do. It seems that laser have a lot of utilities and I had a hard time finding someone that did what I want to do without going to a 3~4000$+ engraving machine.
From what I understand, anodized aluminum will be easier to etch than raw aluminum because of it's lower reflectivity. I am looking to buy a laser diode and build the proper driver circuit and enclosure. I am currently in the process of doing a little 2 axis router that I want to put that laser on. The only part that is setting me back is the laser choice and the way I will drive it. I have some big cnc mill that I can use for my test until the router is up and running.
I know I have a lot to learn and I am willing to put the time into it. My budget is around 300~400 for the diode and driver circuit.
Thanks to everyone who will take their time for me, I really appreciate!
-Roger
I am machining parts that I anodize myself. So far I always engrave them using a small cutting bits on my CNC mill but lately I have been intensively thinking about a laser. I found a lot of information online but most people use their laser to cut/engrave wood and plastic. I would like to use it to engrave part number and branding/logo on the parts that I do. It seems that laser have a lot of utilities and I had a hard time finding someone that did what I want to do without going to a 3~4000$+ engraving machine.
From what I understand, anodized aluminum will be easier to etch than raw aluminum because of it's lower reflectivity. I am looking to buy a laser diode and build the proper driver circuit and enclosure. I am currently in the process of doing a little 2 axis router that I want to put that laser on. The only part that is setting me back is the laser choice and the way I will drive it. I have some big cnc mill that I can use for my test until the router is up and running.
I know I have a lot to learn and I am willing to put the time into it. My budget is around 300~400 for the diode and driver circuit.
Thanks to everyone who will take their time for me, I really appreciate!
-Roger