Branching this off from the acrylic-cutting thread, I thought it'd be a good topic of it's own.
Keeping it simple, I picked up a cheap Chinese K40 tube laser cutter, which should be here in a couple of weeks. I also picked up a 15W diode laser head and driver, for mounting on either my Shapeoko router or on one of those little eBay 3-axis "engraver mill" kits.
Yes, I know it's all cheap crap, but I'm 100% new to lasers, and blowing $6K on a Full Specturm right out of the box seems a bit silly. If these work out even a little bit, I'll likely eventually upgrade, but this was an inexpensive way to get started. All I need to do right now is engrave wood and possibly anodized aluminum, and I'm told these will do that easily.
Anyway, I'm told that the cover over the K40, and maybe a typical set of plastic shop goggles, are sufficient for that machine, as the acrylic stops most of the infrared beam. Do I really need to worry too much past that?
I'm also told that the diode laser, being a visible blue beam, is a lot more dangerous, eye wise, and requires frequency-specific glasses or shielding. The Shapeoko is already getting an enclosure with a front plexiglass cover. I can get some "OD3+" tinted acrylic good for 250 to 520Nm, and the diode supposedly produces 450Nm.
Again, if I use that shielding, and use proper "close lid THEN start laser" practices, is that sufficient? Or should I go for the "braces and belt" and have goggles/glasses as well?
Doc.
Keeping it simple, I picked up a cheap Chinese K40 tube laser cutter, which should be here in a couple of weeks. I also picked up a 15W diode laser head and driver, for mounting on either my Shapeoko router or on one of those little eBay 3-axis "engraver mill" kits.
Yes, I know it's all cheap crap, but I'm 100% new to lasers, and blowing $6K on a Full Specturm right out of the box seems a bit silly. If these work out even a little bit, I'll likely eventually upgrade, but this was an inexpensive way to get started. All I need to do right now is engrave wood and possibly anodized aluminum, and I'm told these will do that easily.
Anyway, I'm told that the cover over the K40, and maybe a typical set of plastic shop goggles, are sufficient for that machine, as the acrylic stops most of the infrared beam. Do I really need to worry too much past that?
I'm also told that the diode laser, being a visible blue beam, is a lot more dangerous, eye wise, and requires frequency-specific glasses or shielding. The Shapeoko is already getting an enclosure with a front plexiglass cover. I can get some "OD3+" tinted acrylic good for 250 to 520Nm, and the diode supposedly produces 450Nm.
Again, if I use that shielding, and use proper "close lid THEN start laser" practices, is that sufficient? Or should I go for the "braces and belt" and have goggles/glasses as well?
Doc.
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