DIY Laser

In November 2012, Nottinghack members ran a pledge drive to fund the building of a new, larger, laser cutter. With a goal of £1000, we raised £2000 in 48 hours! Now the plan to to build and even bigger, more powerful, more awesome laser cutter!

These pages will chart the design, build, setup and use of this laser.

In the Beginning

The pledge was started on 13th November 2012, but the monies won't be called in until we have finalised a design for the cutter and have a build plan in place.

The first design meeting is on Wednesday 21st November 2012 at 8pm in the Blue Room. Anyone is welcome to attend, whether they have pledged or not.

The Plan

Still in its formative stage, the plan is the base the laser cutter on the BuildLog 2.x open source laser cutter, with some definite modifications:

• Larger cutting area
• More powerful laser tube

And some possible ones:

• Vacuum extraction
• Cool bot
• Control system
• Free standing
• Rotational axis
• Non mechanical axis stops
• More powerful steppers
• RFID access and time monitor

The design meetings will decide on priorities for these (and probably more) modifications and then when we have costed them we can choose which ones to build with the pledge money.

Random Notes

Big Extractor fan http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/In-Line-Duct-Fan-Mounted-Extractor-Fan-Hydroponics-Grow-Room-4-5-6-8-10-12-/130620450641?pt=UK_Home_Garden_Hearing_Cooling_Air&var=430043485686&hash=item1e6995e751