Hacking Up a Laser CNC
September 3rd, 2010 by otto_pjm
We have been working on converting a CNC inspection machine into a CNC capable of using multiple tools.
The Y axis is only supported on one side, so the tools will need to be light unless, we can devise another support. At our last open house on Wednesday, we had a great hacker collaboration and not only got the machine to draw with a Sharpie, but trying some engraving with jtbarclay’s blueray burner. Here’s a shot of the engraving in progress.
Additional information can be found on our wiki: 3D Prototyper Project
- 6 Comments »
- Posted in Posts
September 3rd, 2010 at 1:05 pm
You mean I missed out on CNC laser action? ****! I guess I should have stayed later. Can’t wait to see this next time!
Did it successfully engrave anything?
September 3rd, 2010 at 11:31 pm
Yes, I thought someone had a shot of the engraving once it was done. Jonathan I’m sure could take one, it’s definitely visible, and it seemed to do it correctly.
September 3rd, 2010 at 11:49 pm
Fantastic work, guys!!!! I couldn’t stay late on Wednesday to see the outcome and I so wanted to stick around! About the y-axis support: can’t this be corrected with a simple default offset in the CNC software which places the origin in the middle of our platform? Also, if the control signals here are rather standard, would we be able to try the ReplicatorG software to drive this machine as well?
September 4th, 2010 at 5:46 am
This is discernibly awesome! It makes me happy to see this project move forward, long live the doacracy!
FYI I added a link to the wiki.
September 4th, 2010 at 8:11 am
You guys are awesome! Great work.
September 4th, 2010 at 9:46 pm
[...] McKenna and Steve McGrath, with help from others, have built a multi-tool CNC at the Hack Factory in Minneapolis. It began as a CNC inspection machine that someone donated to [...]