Build a Mini Laser Cutter: Step-by-Step Guide

[weitao]

How to make a DIY laser cutter(small size) ? Can you help me?

 

[berkeman]

How to make a DIY laser cutter(small size) ? Can you help me?

Well, first you need a laser, and you need to know how to operate it safely. What laser do you plan on using? What material do you want to cut?

 

[weitao]

i want to create a laser cutter small as laser pointer! I want to cut plastic, iron and so hard material!

 

[MIMSAR]

This can be done quite simply with a laser diode (LD).

For instance, extracting an LD from an old CD-RW, DVD-RW or Blu-Ray drive and building a driver circuit could give you a laser with a power output around 200mW (the average laser point is < 5mW). If this is focussed it could burn through paper, electrical tape, pop balloons etc.

However, you MUST have eye-protection on for this. Any laser above 5mW is class 3 and can permanently damage your eyes. Whilst shining the beam at an object seems safe, it can reflect off shiny surfaces...

 

[berkeman]

i want to create a laser cutter small as laser pointer! I want to cut plastic, iron and so hard material!

A laser pointer will generally put out 1mW or so of radiant energy. How much optical power do you think it would take to cut even a soft material? You can estimate that number by remembering that you can use a 10cm magnifying glass in bright sunlight to melt soft materials...

 

[gnurf]

i want to create a laser cutter small as laser pointer! I want to cut plastic, iron and so hard material!

A key-chain laser pointer that can cut through iron? Would you like a spaceship to go with that, or would that be all, sir?

 

[weitao]

Is I use almost 500mW d.c. and use tow convex lens has focal length of 5cm and the distance between them is less than 1cm, and add a cooling system by using liquid! Can the laser cutter form?

 

[berkeman]

Is I use almost 500mW d.c. and use tow convex lens has focal length of 5cm and the distance between them is less than 1cm, and add a cooling system by using liquid! Can the laser cutter form?

You have a 1/2 Watt laswer diode? Where did you get it?

 

[weitao]

You have a 1/2 Watt laswer diode? Where did you get it?

Is 0.5W laser diode hard to find? If I have, can the plan that I post previous one work?

 

[MIMSAR]

Well, 500mW is very powerful. Just make sure you use goggles...

And the rough plan sounds ok - essentially you need a driving circuit (inc. cooling) and some way of mounting it with a lens to focus the energy. I don't know what exactly are the 'cutting limits' with this but you'll certainly burn through paper and thin materials (even at a distance).