My first attempts at laser engraving.

[Tweakie.CNC]

Not bad for a first attempt but I still have a lot to learn about vector laser engraving. The feed rate and dwell time at the start of each cut are all important and of course there is no Z axis movement.
Here I have used a low power (150 mW) red laser with a 650 nm wavelength fitted to the Z axis.

Tweakie.

[budman68]

Wow, that's slick as hell!

You have to give up some details here, what exactly is required for setting this up?

Can a moron like me do this? 

Thanks,
Dave

[Tweakie.CNC]

Hi Dave,

A moron like me managed it OK.

Its a standard 150mW diode laser from China mounted to the Z axis. You can draw any vector graphics on relatively dark colored, thin, materials and woods in the same way as engraving with a cutter but at a much, much lower feed rate (too fast and it doesn't mark the surface, too slow and it cuts right through thin stuff)
Although it cuts the dark vinyls well the edges of the cuts are slightly raised where the material has melted so only 'so so' for bumper stickers and the like (drag knife cutting of vinyls is better).

What do you need to know ?.

Tweakie.

[Tweakie.CNC]

One important thing I forgot to mention is that protective glasses or goggles are essential and must be worn at all times that the laser is powered on. 150mW doesn't seem like much power but focussed to the size of a pin point its reflected image is pretty powerful and harmful to the eyes. 

Tweakie.

[marcel beaudry]

Tweakie that is real nice.
What about power supply can you show pictures
Is it hard to do
did you have a kit to built it or built it yourself
How much did it cost total
is it continuous use

Marcel Beaudry

[budman68]

Tweakie that is real nice.
What about power supply can you show pictures
Is it hard to do
did you have a kit to built it or built it yourself
How much did it cost total
is it continuous use

Marcel Beaudry

Tweakie, basically Marcel has asked what I'd like to hear/see about. 

How does the Z axis timing/feedrate work, isn't there a critical timing when the Z comes down to the needed height off the material?

Dave

[Chaoticone]

Looks great Tweakie.  Pretty slick.

Brett

[Hood]

now that is nice, there is a local place that does laser engraving on stainless and the like, I believe he puts some sort of compound on the top then the laser etches it and the excess is removed. Would be interesting to see exactly how its done.
Like the others are saying, would be good to hear all about your setup.
Hood

[Greolt]

Hey this is interesting.   

Details of where to get this sort of laser?  What to look for?

Does it need to be special to focus that well?

Greg

[Graham Waterworth]

This is a great project, we need to know everything, from what you have said laser eye treatment is out though 

Graham