Applying this to a Laser Etcher

[sloppyjoe]

Hey guys, I've been lurking for a few days now reading all I can.. and I think thanks to the great wealth of knowledge here I might be ready to consider an actual build. Thing is.. I'm not building a CNC Router, but a laser etcher. I figure I could construct it basically the same as what you guys make except replace the Z-axis and router with the laser assembly. I'm just wondering if any of you have ever tried this or might have some insight into modifications I'd need to make.

For the most part I think i'm going to build something similar, though a lot smaller, as the one on buildyourcnc.com (which I believe is operated by a member here yea?) I would like about a 24"x24" surface, maybe 36"x36". I'm still kinda up in the air about if I should use the angled aluminum and skate bearing or if drawer slides would work. Also I'm not sure how many oz-in I should get the steppers, Since i'm not moving a great big router around and I don't have any resistance from a cutting head I don't think I need big ones will I? I would like to make it pretty accurate though. I don't plan to do anything "real" with it (that is.. no real production, this is just a hobby), but I do want the stuff I etch to look nice.

I plan to use electronics from hobbycnc.com and probably start with EMC2 for the software. Not sure about laser power yet, though I'm talking to some laser nerds on another forum about that, I think they can steer me in the right direction.

Anything you guys could add or suggest to me would be a great help. Thanks.

[Hoop]

This would be a great build. You could transfer images to steel objects without touching them and the resolution should be better.