Mokeylaser: A DIY Laser Engraver You Can Easily Build
[Mark aka Mokey] borrowed his friend's open frame laser engraver for a while, and found it a bit lacking in features and a bit overpriced for what it was. Naturally, he thought he could do better (video, embedded below.) After a while of modeling in Fusion 360 and some online shopping in the usual places, he had all the parts needed to build an X-Y bot, and we feel it looks like a pretty good starting point. [Mark] had a working Sainsmart FL55 5.5W laser module, so it was added to the build, along with the usual Arduino plus CNC combo running GRBL.
[Mark] provided the full F360 source (see the GitHub mokeylaser) and a full BOM, weighing around $400, and based on the usual 2040 aluminum extrusions. This makes MokeyLaser a reasonable starting point for further development. Future plans include upgrading the controller to something a bit more modern (and 32-bit) as well as a more powerful laser (we hope it has proper laser goggles!) and adding of air assistance. In our experience, air assist will definitely improve things, removing smoke from the beam path and greatly increasing laser penetration. We believe there is no need for more optical power (and greater risk) for this application. [Mark] says in the video that he's working on an additional build video, so maybe drop by later and check that out?
Obviously MokeyLaser is by no means the only such beast we've featured, here's the engraver to start with. For even more minimalism, we've covered a build with smart optics doing all the work. But what if you don't have a 5W laser module "on the floor", maybe try a more natural heat source instead?
[Mark aka Mokey] borrowed his friend's open frame laser engraver for a while, and found it a bit lacking in features and a bit overpriced for what it was. Naturally, he thought he could do better (video, embedded below.) After a while of modeling in Fusion 360 and some online shopping in the usual places, he had all the parts needed to build an X-Y bot, and we feel it looks like a pretty good starting point. [Mark] had a working Sainsmart FL55 5.5W laser module, so it was added to the build, along with the usual Arduino plus CNC combo running GRBL.
[Mark] provided the full F360 source (see the GitHub mokeylaser) and a full BOM, weighing around $400, and based on the usual 2040 aluminum extrusions. This makes MokeyLaser a reasonable starting point for further development. Future plans include upgrading the controller to something a bit more modern (and 32-bit) as well as a more powerful laser (we hope it has proper laser goggles!) and adding of air assistance. In our experience, air assist will definitely improve things, removing smoke from the beam path and greatly increasing laser penetration. We believe there is no need for more optical power (and greater risk) for this application. [Mark] says in the video that he's working on an additional build video, so maybe drop by later and check that out?
Obviously MokeyLaser is by no means the only such beast we've featured, here's the engraver to start with. For even more minimalism, we've covered a build with smart optics doing all the work. But what if you don't have a 5W laser module "on the floor", maybe try a more natural heat source instead?
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