CNC Router LASER Engraver mod?

[woox]

Is it possible to convert a CNC router to a laser cutter/engraver? I want to engrave text onto plastic so I need it very, very fine, just wondering if this was possible.

[LaserImage]

Sure it's possible. My laser uses a printer driver that allows me to adjust the speed from .1% to 100% speed, and the same adjustment for power. The speed on mine is 80ips for raster and 40ips for vector.

The biggest problem I see is configuring whatever software you use to handle speed and power settings.

I am sure others have done it though.

Gary

[woox]

do u know where i can actually get the laser?

[LaserImage]

ebay is your friend!

You should be able to find an air-cooled tube for a couple thou. Stay away from the water-cooled, glass tubes, they are old technology.

G

[woox]

Not sure what exactly to search for, but something like this?
http://cgi.ebay.com/SPECTRA-PHYSICS-...3286.m20.l1116

or

http://cgi.ebay.com/JDS-Cyonics-Unip...d=p3286.c0.m14

?

[LaserImage]

You would want a CO2 laser, neither of those would really be appropriate. You would want something at least 30 watts, more is better.

The tube is just the start of it though, you need optics as well.

I'm really out of my league giving advice on how to put one together, I bought a $30,000 laser that came ready to go. I built my cnc router, but I wouldn't even consider trying to put a laser together myself, that's just me though.

I think there is a laser forum here, I would advise you check there, they absolutely know more than I do...

G

[Iain F]

How fine is fine ? Normally a laser marking uses a scanning head to make the marks. So you would use the CNC router to position where you want to scan. How much do you want to spend on the convertion ? You can buy an off the shelve maker with all the software built into it and probably save a lot of grief.