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Searching for a Little Laser to Cut into Graphics Material

D

D from BC

Jan 1, 1970
0
I'd like to put a low power laser on a moveable jig.
This is to burn cuts into 16mil vinyl graphics material for art work.

I'm clueless on :
laser types
laser power
laser laws

However..I can design power supplies!

Is there a little laser that can burn plastic that I can order online?
And... am I going to need a licence because it's a potential weapon?
D from BC
 
T

Terran Melconian

Jan 1, 1970
0
I'd like to put a low power laser on a moveable jig.
This is to burn cuts into 16mil vinyl graphics material for art work.

Any particular reason you don't want to use a router like everybody else
does? I'd think it would be more economical, and doesn't vinyl release
some rather unpleasant fumes when you burn it?

If you really want to go with the laswer, an acquaintance of mine has
recently gotten into a similar business:

http://www.adafruit.com/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=12

I haven't seen her in some time, since she moved away, but I suspect
she'd be happy to sell you some consulting on the matter to bring you up
to speed. She's a bit... "socially fringe", one might say, but
technically entirely capable.
 
D

D from BC

Jan 1, 1970
0
WTF? Don't you know that burning PVC <--- (note the C as in Chlorine,
as in primitive WWI chemical munitions) releases toxic fumes?

What's wrong with a oui swivel knife?


You could try eBay for a CO2 laser. Some sellers in China have the
tubes quite cheap (I see $400 US ~= $400 Cdn with shipping), and about
the same again for the power supply. I'll defer to others on the
optics and air jet you'd likely need at the business end of things.


Not much of a weapon. I think the US regulates sales under the FDA.


Best regards,
Spehro Pefhany

Thanks for the gas warning..
There will be a vent hose on the jig. + other safe measures.
I've never ordered from China on Ebay...risky??..

After posting, I did find this interesting site on finding lasers.
http://members.misty.com/don/laserlps.htm

D from BC
 
D

D from BC

Jan 1, 1970
0
Any particular reason you don't want to use a router like everybody else
does? I'd think it would be more economical, and doesn't vinyl release
some rather unpleasant fumes when you burn it?

If you really want to go with the laswer, an acquaintance of mine has
recently gotten into a similar business:

http://www.adafruit.com/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=12

I haven't seen her in some time, since she moved away, but I suspect
she'd be happy to sell you some consulting on the matter to bring you up
to speed. She's a bit... "socially fringe", one might say, but
technically entirely capable.

Actually, I think my best alternative is to go to a place that has a
vinyl cutting machine.
There are commercial machines for cutting vinyl graphics around my
neighborhood.

I'm guessing there's a laser inside those machines..


D from BC
 
S

Spehro Pefhany

Jan 1, 1970
0
I'd like to put a low power laser on a moveable jig.
This is to burn cuts into 16mil vinyl graphics material for art work.

WTF? Don't you know that burning PVC <--- (note the C as in Chlorine,
as in primitive WWI chemical munitions) releases toxic fumes?

What's wrong with a oui swivel knife?
I'm clueless on :
laser types
laser power
laser laws

However..I can design power supplies!

You could try eBay for a CO2 laser. Some sellers in China have the
tubes quite cheap (I see $400 US ~= $400 Cdn with shipping), and about
the same again for the power supply. I'll defer to others on the
optics and air jet you'd likely need at the business end of things.
Is there a little laser that can burn plastic that I can order online?
And... am I going to need a licence because it's a potential weapon?
D from BC

Not much of a weapon. I think the US regulates sales under the FDA.


Best regards,
Spehro Pefhany
 
R

Rich Grise

Jan 1, 1970
0
I'd like to put a low power laser on a moveable jig.
This is to burn cuts into 16mil vinyl graphics material for art work.

I'm clueless on :
laser types
laser power
laser laws

However..I can design power supplies!

Is there a little laser that can burn plastic that I can order online?
And... am I going to need a licence because it's a potential weapon?

Look in the yellow pages for "laser cutting" and ask them about it.

Or google:
http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q="laser+cutting"
"about 1,160,000" hits.

Good Luck!
Rich
 
D

D from BC

Jan 1, 1970
0
Look in the yellow pages for "laser cutting" and ask them about it.

Or google:
http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q="laser+cutting"
"about 1,160,000" hits.

Good Luck!
Rich

Oh no...those laser cutting guys will probably only know about
replacement parts..That could be pricy..

1 million hits huh... wow :)
Including..
laser hair removal, the Dodge Laser,laser shows, sci-fi laser guns
....etc..
I was hoping for "Crazy Wongs Discount Chinese Laser Supply" to pop up
:)
D from BC
 
J

Jim Thompson

Jan 1, 1970
0
I'd like to put a low power laser on a moveable jig.
This is to burn cuts into 16mil vinyl graphics material for art work.

I'm clueless on :
laser types
laser power
laser laws

However..I can design power supplies!

Is there a little laser that can burn plastic that I can order online?
And... am I going to need a licence because it's a potential weapon?
D from BC

Why do you need a laser? See...

http://www.signwarehouse.com/default2.htm

I use a little 8" Stika cutter.

...Jim Thompson
 
C

Carl Ijames

Jan 1, 1970
0
As someone else suggested, go to ebay and search for "laser cutter". I
got one hit for a 40W CO2 laser tube for $300, and one hit for a
matching power supply also for $300. For cutting and marking paper and
plastics at a reasonable speed that would be sufficient laser power, and
CO2 lasers are the cheapest per watt of photons by far. The problem is
that now you have a laser but no enclosure and no optics and no aiming
control and no software and no ... and no ... :). Look at item
330099874262 for what looks like a nice cnc cutter ready to go for small
stuff in the 7"x8" range, for $5000 australian ($4000 US). They have
much bigger models, as well. I've never used their stuff but always
thought it looked good.
 
D

D from BC

Jan 1, 1970
0
As someone else suggested, go to ebay and search for "laser cutter". I
got one hit for a 40W CO2 laser tube for $300, and one hit for a
matching power supply also for $300. For cutting and marking paper and
plastics at a reasonable speed that would be sufficient laser power, and
CO2 lasers are the cheapest per watt of photons by far. The problem is
that now you have a laser but no enclosure and no optics and no aiming
control and no software and no ... and no ... :). Look at item
330099874262 for what looks like a nice cnc cutter ready to go for small
stuff in the 7"x8" range, for $5000 australian ($4000 US). They have
much bigger models, as well. I've never used their stuff but always
thought it looked good.

Actually..the machine I really want costs $30000US..

I'll check out Ebay..
Thanks
D from BC
 
C

Carl Ijames

Jan 1, 1970
0
Actually..the machine I really want costs $30000US..
Ain't that always how it goes? :)
 
J

Jure Newsgroups

Jan 1, 1970
0
D from BC said:
Actually..the machine I really want costs $30000US..

I'll check out Ebay..
Thanks
D from BC

as an alternative, you could also try a "high pressure water jet"
instead...

Jure
 
D

D from BC

Jan 1, 1970
0
Everything involves risk. Check the feedbacks CAREFULLY and use a
payment method that allows recourse if they allow it, or think twice.
This guy looks to have a lot of problems with communication and
support (ie. not much of either). That may or may not be okay with
you. Heck, you're in BC, I'm sure your next-door neighbors on one side
or the other are fluent in Mandarin..



Best regards,
Spehro Pefhany

Thanks for the advice..
I'll try the local chinese restaurant. I know the owner....Maybe he
can get me some lasers.. :)
Just kidding..
D from BC
 
M

Meat Plow

Jan 1, 1970
0
as an alternative, you could also try a "high pressure water jet"
instead...

Jure

How about a pair of scissors?
--
#1 Offishul Ruiner of Usenet, March 2007
#1 Usenet Asshole, March 2007
#1 Bartlo Pset, March 13-24 2007
#10 Most hated Usenetizen of all time
#8 AUK Hate Machine Cog
Pierre Salinger Memorial Hook, Line & Sinker, June 2004
COOSN-266-06-25794
 
S

Spehro Pefhany

Jan 1, 1970
0
Thanks for the gas warning..
There will be a vent hose on the jig. + other safe measures.
I've never ordered from China on Ebay...risky??..

Everything involves risk. Check the feedbacks CAREFULLY and use a
payment method that allows recourse if they allow it, or think twice.
This guy looks to have a lot of problems with communication and
support (ie. not much of either). That may or may not be okay with
you. Heck, you're in BC, I'm sure your next-door neighbors on one side
or the other are fluent in Mandarin..
After posting, I did find this interesting site on finding lasers.
http://members.misty.com/don/laserlps.htm

D from BC


Best regards,
Spehro Pefhany
 
D

D from BC

Jan 1, 1970
0
How about a pair of scissors?

One of my crazyass ideas was to fake a laser with a magnifying glass
and 1000W HPS lamp.
Burning ants style...

D from BC
 
M

Meat Plow

Jan 1, 1970
0
One of my crazyass ideas was to fake a laser with a magnifying glass
and 1000W HPS lamp.
Burning ants style...

D from BC

That's actually a good idea.
--
#1 Offishul Ruiner of Usenet, March 2007
#1 Usenet Asshole, March 2007
#1 Bartlo Pset, March 13-24 2007
#10 Most hated Usenetizen of all time
#8 AUK Hate Machine Cog
Pierre Salinger Memorial Hook, Line & Sinker, June 2004
COOSN-266-06-25794
 
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