Laser CNC?

[Reefugee]

Has anyone ever uses a laser CNC? I know most CNC uses cutting bits (similiar to routers and drills), but today I saw a laser CNC. The guy that was showing it to me said that it was capable of etching glass and cutting acrylic. We didn't actually use it. Just curious if anyone has actually used one. I know Ed Simmons has access to a CNC machine, and I am jealous of him! But I now may have access to a CNC for a nominal price (close to free).

Minh

 

[marioensf]

Someone on the DIY forum posted using one from work, acrylic images were clean; I think he/she was building a CaRx or Skimmer.
Sweet deal ! make sure you store the bits like storing gold, bet they are expensive !

 

[edsimmons]

Minh,

Laser CNC is really cool! I don't know a whole lot about them but I do know that with the machine I played with you can't make pockets and grooves (Like for an o-ring) because all cuts are thru (Except etching). One really nice thing is the edges come out super clean and optically clear.

HTH
Ed

 

[TAB]

Laser cutters don't work really well for things that need to remain square.( like acrylic for jointing) Like water cutting they tend to cut a "valley", rather then the strait cut.

If you just want to cut out shapes of thinner stuff, it will work just fine.

 

[Reefugee]

Thank Ed and Tab. I guess I will continue trying to find if I have access to a normal CNC.

Minh

 

[TAB]

With all the Cabinet shops going under right now, you can buy a used CNC router for next to nothing right now.

 

[Reefugee]

"next to nothing" - unfortunately, that also describes my checkbook since the wife went back to school and I got some furlough. Still thankful that I have a job though.

 

[dots]

Minh, your a handy guy.....unless your doing something that needs to be production, most things can be produced with manual machines. A properly set up Milling Machine, can cut a wide range of metals, woods, and composites, with great precision.

In fact, sometimes the setup time for some of these CNC machines takes longer than if you were to do it by hand. Factoring in the drawing of the part, producing the tooling paths, and set up....and isn't really worth for one or two parts.

....but if we are dreaming, I would love to have a machining center, and the latest and greatest versions of MasterCAM and SolidWorks to go with it......I think that would be more versatile for the home shop as they are a mill and lathe all in one.

But yeah, these big boy toys are cool!! Have you seen a sheet metal punch press in action? Especially when combined with a turret changer they are fun to watch!!

Used manual machines can be quite affordable, a guy I graduated with got a really good deal on a used Bridgport that wasn't tore up and used it on his Senior Project. I have considered getting one of those micro lathes from Harbor Frieght for a while....