[mhmslm]

Gravure:

Thanks for your reply. I went to the two sites you refer to, but didn't see anything about diode lasers to be used in homebuilt machine. Interesting sites, though.

Blackbeard52:

Thank you also. As it turns out I had seen this video before. So, I can see what can be done with plastic. It is encouraging.

Looking at my post I see I could have phrased things better. What it amounts to is wanting to incorporate some sort of laser head (and, I suppose, a power supply) into the CNC machine I am already constructing (for routing), which will be able to etch AND engrave AND burn in wood OR plastic OR metal. So what might be the minimum laser to fill all of those requirements? What might it cost? Where might I be able to find the components? What wave length, or color should I be considering? Are there diode lasers with these traits? Or do I need to get a laser tube, like CO2, for instance? Thanks again.

Mike M.