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Voltwad

Thu May 27 2010, 04:49PM

Registered Member #1829 Joined: Sun Nov 30 2008, 01:06AM
Location: Raleigh N.C.
Posts: 74

So perhaps someone can help me out here. I'm currently building a RepRap. I hope to have a junk built X-Y table together in the next few weeks. Along with using this table for a reprap, I'd also like to build a laser cutter with it. I'm looking to be able to cut cardboard, not corrugated mind you, just the single ply stuff like beer boxes are made of. Now so far, my research suggests that junk laser sources like busted blu ray and dvd burner lasers are only powerful enough to burn through black paper. The problem is, any more powerful lasers I've found are hundreds of dollars. So, my question is: Can anybody point me to the cheapest laser capable of cutting brown, single ply cardboard? What kind of power should I be looking for? Anyone have experience with a reputable seller? Any possible junk sources? There seems to be a lot of overpriced junk out there (some eBay sellers and other webstores).

hboy007

Thu May 27 2010, 07:19PM

Registered Member #1667 Joined: Sat Aug 30 2008, 09:57PM
Location:
Posts: 374

since Nd:YAG laser heads with 20-100W are quite expensive and the power supply is nasty pulsed high voltage equipment you might want to give CO2 lasers a try. Sealed tubes with 10-50W aren't that expensive and thanks to the high efficiency of the thermal IR laser action they can be driven with do-it-yourself power supplies. The downside is: these tubes operate at 15..25kV and 20..50mA. Sounds like a typical application of multiple flyback transformers in parallel in synchronous / interleaved mode.

Voltwad

Thu May 27 2010, 07:39PM

Registered Member #1829 Joined: Sun Nov 30 2008, 01:06AM
Location: Raleigh N.C.
Posts: 74

Well, what I've looked at is Blu ray and DVD burner diodes which operate at about 200 - 500mA or .1 - .5 watts. These can apparently cut black construction paper and not much else. Then there are pigtail diodes which run between .5 and 1 or 2 watts. These, I think, would be capable of cutting 1 ply cardboard but cost 1 or 2 hundred dollars. CO2 lasers would definitely work but cost much more. What I'm really looking for is something between a blu ray and pigtail diode that is JUST powerful enough to do the job. (Dont wanna pay for unused wattage) And If theres a junk or discount source for such a laser, even better.

Dalus

Thu May 27 2010, 08:45PM

Registered Member #639 Joined: Wed Apr 11 2007, 09:09PM
Location: The Netherlands, Herkenbosch
Posts: 512

Try to get some IR laser diodes. If your planning for a low power range. The only thing that you need to look out for is getting proper optics for the IR light.

doctor electrons

Thu May 27 2010, 09:14PM

Registered Member #2390 Joined: Sat Sept 26 2009, 02:04PM
Location: Milwaukee Wisconsin
Posts: 381

You could look into one of those cheap co2 laser tubes from the chinese built
laser engravers. If i remember right the 25watt replacement tubes go for about 175 bucks u.s.
Other than that, the ir diodes would most likely work as well.

Voltwad

Thu May 27 2010, 10:19PM

Registered Member #1829 Joined: Sun Nov 30 2008, 01:06AM
Location: Raleigh N.C.
Posts: 74

Ok, so ive found at least two prospects on google shopping.

Here and Here

These are at the upper end of the price range I'm looking for and I think 1-2 watts of power should be enough to cut cardboard. I suppose all I would need is some optics to focus the beam. The problem I have with this sort of thing is, these diodes are rarely marked and I'm reluctant to take the sellers specs at face value. Anyone care to comment on whether these look like they could do the job? Or better yet, anyone know an established business selling a similar product as opposed to someone on a knockoff eBay site?

Anon01

Thu May 27 2010, 10:54PM

Registered Member #1589 Joined: Sun Jul 13 2008, 06:40PM
Location:
Posts: 70

The .5W+ 405nm blu ray diodes are rather expensive as you have to harvest them from blu ray drives. You're wanting a 12x unit for the big diodes. Specifically the one that has a lot of good review is the diode from the Pioneer BDR-205.

It would not be ideal for your burning application to tell the truth.

If you decide to use a can diode I would recommend you the Aixiz module housing that can be obtained for a rather decent price (~$3, free shipping) from here

All you need at that point is a driver and a heat sink. For a driver I'm sure you could figure something out. (LM317, PT4105, etc) There are cheap ones on dealextreme. I personally think the driver in this drop in will fit your application very well and is based on the PT4105. Current regulation is as simple as changing a resistor (R2). I would throw a small electrolytic capacitor on the output just for diode protection though.

A heat sink could just be a computer heatsink with a press fit sized hole. The Aixiz modules are pretty tough.

I would highly recommend getting a glass lens though. Aixiz lasers on ebay sells glass lenses for their module for $5+sh, but you can get some other better ones by searching around on laserpointerforums.com. Something like a 650-G-1 that he sells in a modified holder for ~$40(!).

Well, that's all I remember about the time I created this laser.

Hope this helps.

Killa-X

Thu May 27 2010, 11:53PM

Registered Member #1643 Joined: Mon Aug 18 2008, 06:10PM
Location:
Posts: 1039

Not sure that would do. I have a 12X bluray laser diode, which can instantly pop balloons at 30ft, but cutting through cardboard isnt fast. I spent a lot on a 12X sled, got it out easy. You want to cool these things, and its always recommended for a AIXIZ heatsink. On LaserPointerForums you can get Aluminum and copper heatsinks (I did copper for 40 dollars) then I got the G-1 405nm glass lens.

You can burn cardboard, but to fully cut through it takes a bit of time, to me wouldnt be worth a X-Y. I had plans to do this, and I was thinking of the 40W CO2 laser featured on ebay, or waiting for a cheap deal to come buy. I was told by LPF, good deals come. Someone goy a 1000 WATT CO2 laser for $50 :)

It will cost a lot to make one, Almost 200 dollars for a china-made 40W, then you need a Power supply, a water pump, and a regulator. But they do burn cardboard good and fast :D Just dont point these at your skin!!!

first 2 posts. First post is the laser i was looking at. (post isn't by me by the way.)

uzzors2k

Fri May 28 2010, 11:26AM

Registered Member #95 Joined: Thu Feb 09 2006, 04:57PM
Location: Norway
Posts: 1308

Have you seen c4r0's laser CNC machine?

He uses red laser diodes, which along with IR is your best bet in terms of power/price.

If you want to do more than engrave, I wouldn't bother with lasers. Go with a hot-wire foam cutter, or a full-blown 3-axis machine using a Dremel or similar.

rp181

Fri May 28 2010, 12:08PM

Registered Member #1062 Joined: Tue Oct 16 2007, 02:01AM
Location:
Posts: 1529

I agree. Unless it is a professional laser system, go with non laser. I have access to a commercial 40W laser system, it cuts 3/8" MDF and 1/16" garolite.

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