Revision as of 14:02, 16 May 2013

This project is a personal project which aims to build a small laser CNC at the lowest possible cost for learning purpose.

At Electrolab, we have a huge laser in stock waiting to be used and this project is unrelated. But it may help us understand more about laser technology and learn how to build a custom device.

There is a need for a small and versatile CNC laser cutter/engraver:

• Cutting small wood / acrylic parts.
• Engaving aluminium / metal parts.

The devices should not require too much space and should be cheap, around 1000 EUR maximum.

Buildlog.net laser

While searching the Internet, I found this small Buildlog.Net 2.x 40W CO2 laser, designed by Barton Dring and licenced under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0.

Buildlog.net 2.0 laser

Follow these links for a complete description:

• Buildlog.net
• Buildlog.net forum and new member intro
• Buildlog.net wiki
• Parts in STEP format.
• Drawings.
• Bill of materials.
• Laser Optics Calculator and research documents.

Technical details

• Working area: 12” x 20” x 4” = 304,8 mm x 508 mm x 101,6 mm. Could be extended to a larger area.
• Laser: 40W CO2 lasers sealed gas laser.
• Structure: Openrail or Makerslide.
• Axes : X and Y axes.
• Lift platform with motor (Z axe?).
• Fume extraction.
• Water cooling.
• Red Dot Pointer.
• Should run under MACH3 and LinuxCNC

More details: http://www.buildlog.net/blog/2011/02/buildlog-net-2-x-laser/

Materials

This is only what is expected.

Cutting:

• Acrilyc (no PVC)
• Dark plastic
• Wood

Engraving:

• Wood
• Glass
• Anodized Aluminum
• Granite

Supply

We don't want to order from US based companies, as delivery costs are too high. So we are looking for european suppliers.

Phase 1: mechanics and rails

Phase 2: electronics and laser

Be the force with us :)