Hey, Just another newbie doing some research before diving deep into building a reprap. These machines seem pretty customizable and I'm wondering if any has or could find a way to turn the reprap into a lasercutter... I'm curious about how difficult that would be and also how much a laser would cost. Many Thanks! https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?4,21588,21588#msg-21588 Sun, 19 Apr 2026 16:27:23 -0400 Phorum 5.2.23 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?4,21588,21680#msg-21680 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?4,21588,21680#msg-21680 might be possible to funnel a cutting laser through a fiber-optic cable, but if I recall my temp coefficents from my time at Ocean Optics, Inc... that may not be doable--it'll likely melt the "glass" in the cable.

My best bet would be to look directly at the laser setups; since I'm planning on attending the exhibit halls at SPIE's Defense, Security & Sensing show, I can look up OOI's laser distributer [Quantel Lasers] there. Their website show several interesting small-scale flex-head laser engravers for industrial/commerical purposes. I'll try and find out what their prices are at then.]]> Lethosos Reprappers Mon, 23 Feb 2009 20:11:17 -0500 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?4,21588,21671#msg-21671 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?4,21588,21671#msg-21671 -------------------------------------------------------
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> ... i've made some weird stuff ...
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Yes, I know. It is very interesting weird stuff, to me anyway, that deserves more detailed descriptions when you can find the time and interest.]]> Forrest Higgs Reprappers Mon, 23 Feb 2009 07:42:24 -0500 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?4,21588,21663#msg-21663 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?4,21588,21663#msg-21663
... i've made some weird stuff ...

Mostly for other problems/solutions and sometimes with bad restrictions in respect of confidentionality and such - so i cant't make images of my solutions.

With time i'll rework some of the ideas and make new concepts for my repstrap (DIY-laser-curing, LOM-fabbing, noncartesian mechanics, ...), then i can blog this too.

But the last year i didn't have any real time for this (or totally consumed by optimizing my CNC-mill or family-tasks).

The next steps on my agenda are UV-curing of fluid PMMA (see "Acrifix192") and LOM-fabbing with laser-cutting and micro-milling ...

Viktor]]> VDX Reprappers Mon, 23 Feb 2009 03:11:54 -0500 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?4,21588,21637#msg-21637 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?4,21588,21637#msg-21637 Forrest Higgs Reprappers Sat, 21 Feb 2009 13:18:28 -0500 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?4,21588,21636#msg-21636 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?4,21588,21636#msg-21636
Look here: [forums.reprap.org] - all inclusive something around 600 Euros (but could be cheaper).

This would be a perfect cutting-head for reprap too ...]]> VDX Reprappers Sat, 21 Feb 2009 12:18:34 -0500 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?4,21588,21601#msg-21601 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?4,21588,21601#msg-21601 Mr. Seeker Reprappers Fri, 20 Feb 2009 04:29:58 -0500 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?4,21588,21592#msg-21592 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?4,21588,21592#msg-21592
Over at Instructables there are instructions for using a diode laser from a dvd writer to cut black paper stencils. That is probably a decent hack to throw onto a Darwin, but be aware that the positional accuracy of a Darwin is around .05 millimeters which is considerably less than a commercial laser cutter. You might consider a Cri-kut cutter if you want to make stencils.

Beyond that playing with lasers in this context is a bad idea. Even the DVD diode laser can blind you before you can blink. Real laser cutters use high watt CO2 lasers which can kill if a mirror is off by a few degrees. These lasers are too heavy to mount on the toolhead, so the beam has to be directed through a high precision optical chain with lots of moving parts. The pieces to make something like this would cost you more than a used epilog. Sorry.]]> BDolge Reprappers Thu, 19 Feb 2009 22:13:08 -0500 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?4,21588,21588#msg-21588 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?4,21588,21588#msg-21588
Just another newbie doing some research before diving deep into building a reprap. These machines seem pretty customizable and I'm wondering if any has or could find a way to turn the reprap into a lasercutter...

I'm curious about how difficult that would be and also how much a laser would cost.

Many Thanks!]]> C. Roca Reprappers Thu, 19 Feb 2009 19:37:10 -0500