Re: [CAD_CAM_EDM_DRO] Re: Stereolithography machine

Hi Bob,

That sounds like a find! Some experiments could determine if the stereo
lithographic materials would respond. Or maybe it's in their specs.

Sounds like it would be necessary or desirable to work from STL files,
not just a BMP. Perhaps a "water level" approach on the STL files would
generate tool paths. Rather then a "scan", then a series of tool paths
may be the ticket.

I suppose a little laser out of an HP LaserJet wouldn't be enough?

Interesting project!

Alan KM6VV


Bob Muse wrote:

> Hi Alan
>
> I don't know what wavelength UV is required for stereolitho, but there is
> one 337nm UV laser that is very easy to build. That is a nitrogen laser.
> It is even possible to get the nitrogen in air to lase at atmospheric
> pressure without a resonant cavity. Not real efficient that way, but it
> will work.
>
> I picked up an excimer laser, which normally operates in the UV using some
> rreally nasty gas mixes, for cheap just thinking to part it out. It looked
> so nice and complete I decided to try it out just using nitrogen--well I
> guess the optics were close enough etc and it works very well. It puts out
> nice strong pulses of UV, capable of causing bright flourescence on white
> paper at some distance. I have no way to measure the actual power output.
> Optics should be easier to find than for a CO2 laser.
>
> I don't know if this would even be applicable, but up to now it's been just
> a novelty with no application I could see.
>
> Bob