Re: Laser Engraving

Bob, thanks for your reply. As you know I e-mailed you for
information on pricing. It may be useful for the rest of the group
to repeat some of my questions. I can see how conventional CNC mills
will move the x and y axis so that the laser can "cut" the design.
You can see what I mean by design on the web site - (
www.epiloglaser.com/applications.htm ). But, what varies the
intensity of the laser to "change the contrast" of the design
being "cut" by the laser. I am using the software Virtual Sculptor
3D, ( www.designscomputed.com/vs3d/ ) . VS3D is both CAD and CAM
software, and works in both raster and vector space. So it generares
the G-code for the Z-axis heights as a function of image contrast.
Now my question is - do I let the Z axis move the laser to achieve
the "intensity levels" to achieve the contrasts in the image, - OR do
I need electronics to read only the Z axis G-code from VS-3D and use
the electronics to vary the intensity of the laser?

Will a low power CO2 laser yield a "material burn" proportional to Z
axis movement? Does anyone have an idea of how Epilog Laser does
this in their machines? Are there various ways to do it?

Thanks for your help.

Whelen






--- In CAD_CAM_EDM_DRO@yahoogroups.com, "Bob Muse" <mtebob1@s...>
wrote:

>
> Whelen and Skulworks--
>
> I may have some small CO2 lasers for sale cheap. I had a number of

these

> units removed from laser marking machines about a year ago--had one

on my

> CNC mill for a while--it would mark anodized alum very nicely and

cut thin

> carboard and balsa etc. Sold most of them but there are some

left. If you

> are interested, email me off-list. mtebob1 at sbcglobal dot net
>
> Bob
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "whelenremington" <wperun1@r...>
> To: <CAD_CAM_EDM_DRO@yahoogroups.com>
> Sent: Sunday, November 06, 2005 2:06 PM
> Subject: [CAD_CAM_EDM_DRO] Re: Laser Engraving
>
>
> > Skulworks, I am also interested in using a laser to engrave,
> > and "burnish" Cap plastic to make designs. The commercial

machines

> > I've seen have an optical beam focusing system. Can you provide
> > information as to what web sites sell retail to hobbyists, the
> > lasers, focusing systems, power supply, and "suport equipment".
> > Roughly what would all this cost? Thanks for your help.
> >
> > Whelen
> >
> > --- In CAD_CAM_EDM_DRO@yahoogroups.com, "skullworks"
> > <skullworks@y...> wrote:
> > >
> > > --- In CAD_CAM_EDM_DRO@yahoogroups.com, "norclippet"
> > <norclippet@w...>
> > > wrote:
> > > >
> > > > I would like to fit a laser engraver onto my small CNC mill

to do

> > > > engraving (marking) on polished stainless steel. Does anyone
> > know of
> > > > a reasonably priced laser head which has sufficient power for
> > marking
> > > > stainless?
> > > >
> > >
> > > For a Constant Wave (non pulsed) 1024nM NdYAg laser you would

need

> > > about a 50watt to get a good mark (brown) - That is going to
> > require a
> > > huge power supply and support equipment.
> > >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> > Addresses:
> > FAQ: http://www.ktmarketing.com/faq.html
> > FILES: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/CAD_CAM_EDM_DRO/files/
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