RE: [CAD_CAM_EDM_DRO] Laser

We are probably off subject unless we are planning to use it with CNC, but
here goes.

A CO2 laser is not very complex unless you are looking for high power. While
DC is the preferred power source they will run just fine on AC if you accept
that the optics will need to be replaced sooner. Many experimenter type CO2
lasers are powered with a 12 - 15 KV 30 - 60 MA neon sign transformer hooked
to a variac. This will work up to about a 3 ft plasma chamber. Expected
power output is 30 - 40 watts per meter of plasma. Going to a higher power
density leads to faster flow, higher pressures, and complicated power
supplies.

Can it be built at home, sure can and you can even do it without machine
shop equipment but it will sure make it easier. You can create a DC power
supply with a bunch of standard diodes to form a bridge and a bunch of off
the shelf high voltage caps in series. May not be the recommended method,
but I have seen it done successfully.

Some good info can be gotten to from my page at
http://www.ktmarketing.com/laser.html Some nice pictures of home built
lasers can be found at http://www.geocities.com/CapeCanaveral/Station/2727/

Tim
[Denver, CO]

>
> Jon, and the other laser experts:
>
> I hope I am not amiss in shortening the thread title, but it
> really seems
> like you all are now talking about lasers, not high pressure water jet
> cutting anymore.
>
> I have stayed out of this thread because I know nothing about
> lasers, except
> some very basic theory.
>
> Can people really put together laser systems in their home shops?
>
> I have heard that the power supply needs are really
> challenging. Large
> capacitors etc. Can big capacitors be homemade if the
> physical size of the
> system is not an important factor?
>
> How much do you think would it cost to be able to do
> engraving in wood, or
> build a 50 or 100 watt system like the one you saw, Jon?
>
> Although I love creative machinery, I am not sure I could
> market the things
> it could do anyway, but I thought I would ask the above
> questions anyway.
>
> Tom Eldredge
>
> FAQ: http://www.ktmarketing.com/faq.html
>