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ArcticMyst Security by Avery

Mini laser engraving machine

Joined
Dec 11, 2015
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This is a miniature desktop CNC machine, which uses a moving bed for one axis, and a moving laser module for the other axis. The height (or y axis) is determined by the focal point of the 405nm laser, of which the power is not clear. It's stated as 500mW, which is of course believable but unsure if it's reliable or not. Unknown lens used. What I found really neat about this machine is that it's main structure is made of pure acrylic parts, and nuts and bolts.

The Machine:

Excuse the odd lighting lol

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405nm Laser module

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USB port for power (plugging into a computer will disengage the port, high current wall adapter is needed), mini-USB port for data

Software:

The software is extremely easy to use, and hardly any bugs. Only bugs I've noticed are that the auto-connection feature fails every time and has yet to work, and that the program only looks for contrast when converting to B&W. Oh, and also the "movement" buttons serve no purpose, not sure what they're intended to do. Other than that, all functions work properly with little to no delay. Only thing I would wish for is more technical options. While I admire this program's simplicity (Especially for a CNC program), I feel like the user should still have access to some functions especially for image conversion for example a contrast rate/adjustment for converting as well as colour sensitivity, being able to add analyze colours as well rather than just contrast. Though one could say focusing on contrast first needs a colour analysis, but I'm basically referring to the ability to interpret colour.

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Main software dialog

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Image before converting

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Image after converting

Victims of the Burn:

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Engraved my name onto my Note 5 phone case... a bit crooked :shhh:

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Tests

-E.P.
 
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Rivem

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These things are really neat. The CNC trays are from DVD systems which led to them coming out so cheap and being so easy.

Been tempted to buy one a few times, but I usually need a bigger working area. Maybe if I could refit a diode to nicely cut balsa.:thinking:

Thanks for the post!
 

ru124t

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I have been waiting for a review on this. Thanks so much. One question, did you have to assemble it or was it already assembled ?
 

diachi

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Cool! Had been wondering how well these little engravers performed, was looking at them a little while back. Seems you can't go wrong for the price! :D

Thanks for posting! :)
 
Joined
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Messages
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I had bought the pre-assembled version, but I believe the lower powered versions have to be assembled.

Rivem, I can't believe I didn't notice that! Now it's all I can see when I look at the thing :p works like a charm, though!
 

Rivem

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Rivem, I can't believe I didn't notice that! Now it's all I can see when I look at the thing :p works like a charm, though!

Yeah. It's really a great idea to minimize costs and maximize the accuracy though. Otherwise, it'd be using original components like most 3d printers which isn't usually good.

I remember seeing the DIY project that inspired these things years ago worked exactly the same way. A few years after that, these things started popping up on Chinese sites at great prices. Really a nice thing to have for light duty "engraving" and cutting thin materials.
 




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