Wow! That's nice! Looks like the image is projected onto the egg

Daniel

Although my machine is not really fast enough for raster engraving I just had to give it a try.
This image of Jacko is engraved into glass, it is only monochrome so there is no PWM control of the laser at this stage – it is either on or off and controlled by the M11 and M10 commands.
However, when making the laser control circuit I incorporated a spare TTL gate in the trigger path which will allow me to logical AND two control signals – one being the existing on/off trigger (M11 & M10) and the other being a PWM signal derived from the spindle setup (S0 to S100). The PWM will vary the duty cycle of the applied laser pulses from approx 1% to 99% and provided I get the pulse repetition frequency correct should allow for true raster engraving with variable depth. Mach is not quite ready for this type of operation yet but I am sure that if enough people want it the necessary modifications will be made and Mach will become a full blown laser control software.

Tweakie.

Wow, you're really moving right along, nice work -

Dave

I decided to make my 'home built' 4th Axis portable between machines so constructed a 'stand alone' controller which connects to the LPT3 port. Drilling a few more holes into the table of my router has enabled it to be fitted quite easily (fitting holes have also been drilled for the mating tail-stock but this is not required for eggs  ).
I made another Jacko egg and thought you might like to see the setup.

Tweakie.

Wow how you are playing 

Right on !. 

I do really hope that I never grow up, I just wana stay a kid - I love CNC there is just so much to learn and it is never ending.

Tweakie.

That is amazing, Tweakie. You continue to be a great inspiration.
My wife really likes your Jacko things.

Thanks Jammerm - the memory of Jacko sure lives on.

Hey Dan,
I forgot to post the close up picture of the striations in the acrylic. I think that there are techniques which produce better results than I have achieved here but then I will just have to keep practicing.

Tweakie.

Hi Tweakie,

Thanks for the photo. The striations are noticeable, but not as bad as I had thought. I am sure better results will come with experience.

Have you tried the laser at some metal foil yet?

Daniel

Hi Dan,

I don't think CO2 lasers are too good with metal unless it is somehow surface treated (It's something to do with the wavelength of the beam that makes metals into damn good mirrors) anyway it would take a lot more power than I have available (probably kilowatts) especially for copper foil.
I think that YAG lasers are preferred for the metal stuff.

Tweakie.