So I am planning on building an interchangeable tool head for my printer and I want to include a laser as one of the tools. I know you need a pretty powerful laser to cut though thin wood/plastic sheets (2-6 mm). I do not mind doing multiple passes so long as it can cut through.

My question is, what power laser would I need? What type of laser?

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greghoge.com

HUGE 3D PRINTER PARTS SALE!!!

... 2W@445nm-diode or CO2-laser with +20Watt ...

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Viktor
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Aufruf zum Projekt "Müll-freie Meere" - [reprap.org] -- Deutsche Facebook-Gruppe - [www.facebook.com]

Call for the project "garbage-free seas" - [reprap.org]

That's kinda of what I figured.

Can you run them off of a RAMPS or some type of 3D printer controller/driver? Im not very electrically incline, but I would think as long as the the specs match up and it can supply the correct amount of power it should work.

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greghoge.com

HUGE 3D PRINTER PARTS SALE!!!

... yes - I'm driving all my lasers with similar electronics.

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Viktor
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Aufruf zum Projekt "Müll-freie Meere" - [reprap.org] -- Deutsche Facebook-Gruppe - [www.facebook.com]

Call for the project "garbage-free seas" - [reprap.org]

Srry jump in on thread just would like to know what laser to cut 6mm birch plywood and 6mm acyrlic of plexiglass ty

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Check my rubbish blog for my prusa i3

up and running
[3dimetech.blogspot.co.uk]

... starting with CO2-laser @40Watts ... 80Watts or more, if cutting speed is essential ...

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Viktor
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Aufruf zum Projekt "Müll-freie Meere" - [reprap.org] -- Deutsche Facebook-Gruppe - [www.facebook.com]

Call for the project "garbage-free seas" - [reprap.org]

See
[forums.reprap.org]
Laser diode!

... for cutting 6mm plywood you'll need a diode with >10Watts ... and no vis-diode can harm clear (not coloured/pigmented) acrylics ... but no problem to engrave+cut it with the @10600nm from a CO2-laser ...

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Viktor
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Aufruf zum Projekt "Müll-freie Meere" - [reprap.org] -- Deutsche Facebook-Gruppe - [www.facebook.com]

Call for the project "garbage-free seas" - [reprap.org]

Sorry for jumping this thread, I am also looking to make a laser tool for my printer. I found this on Amazon:

[www.amazon.co.uk]

And was wondering if this would be suitable for cutting through the 2-6mm thickness wood/plastic that the OP posted?

Nathan

1.2 Watts @445nm are good enough for 1-2mm of light wood ... with overpowering and slow engraving for a bit more ... but can fail at 0.5mm of some 'tougher' plastic materials

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Viktor
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Aufruf zum Projekt "Müll-freie Meere" - [reprap.org] -- Deutsche Facebook-Gruppe - [www.facebook.com]

Call for the project "garbage-free seas" - [reprap.org]

1.75W 445nm Jtech laser
12 passes (overkill)
2.5mm corrugated cardboard

1.75 w blue laser can do a lot $225 SSD and driver