Buying a Laser Cutter from China (Part One)… 2012 UPDATE: Check out the new laser cutter I built from scratch here -> New 24×18″ CO2 Laser Since building the CNC router last year I’ve become increasingly interested in adding a laser cutting/engraving head.
Scanning eBay I found lots of component parts, but I did not have the expertise to create a working system. In situations like this I’ve found the best thing to do is buy an inexpensive “complete” system and use this to discover how things work – eventually the goal being to use the technology in something bigger and better. I had noticed the 40W cutting units available for under a grand, particularly the ones sold under the “Strong” name – 40W Craftworks CO2 Laser Engraver&Cutter by strong_signstech. Although not a huge amount of information available online – I was able to find two websites (both UK-based) that had some information on the units: Andy Slater – bought one and converted it to run with Mach3 (something I may well be doing in time) The larger contained the unit itself.
Laser-Cut Folding Ukulele Kit By Brian Chan – 04. Nhslzt. DIY solar PV kit. This kit contains all the parts you need to start your off-grid journey.
It is a DIY micro solar PV (photovoltaic) system, which includes a 10Wp solar panel, charge regulator and voltmeter, all encased in a laser cut wooden enclosure. This can be used to power small loads such as charging mobile phones, running a small sound system or even charging a laptop. The maximum output is 50W. The kit costs £70 (plus £15 P&P within the UK, unless you can collect from Nottingham, UK) Here are some photos and more details: The kit contains the solar panel and all parts within the regulator box (but does not include a lead-acid battery).
The enclosure is laser cut ply wood with 'T' shaped nut holders. Knowing the battery voltage is very important, hence the unit has an in-built voltmeter. The output is via a 12V 'cigar lighter' automotive socket and protected via a 5A fuse. The solar panel is connected via a plug and socket. Above are all the parts included within the kit. Here is the wiring diagram: NOT IS MAKING. BRAMBLE Pi Raspberry Pi laser cut finger jointed wooden by Nhslzt. Raspberry Pi cases round-up: Eight inventive holders in photos. The Raspberry Pi mini-computer has taken the tech world by storm, selling out within minutes of going on sale in February and crashing the ordering site in the process.
For those lucky enough to get their hands on the £25 ($39) Linux-based computer, there comes the problem of figuring out how to house it, as it ships without a case. Fortunately, the Raspberry Pi's creative fans have taken it upon themselves to make, and sell, cases for the device - a move the Raspberry Pi Foundation, the organisation behind the project, is keen to encourage. "We believe the world runs on entrepreneurship, and hope that from small case companies great things will grow," says the Foundation's Liz Upton. Pibow Pictured above is the Pibow, a 92g case consisting of seven brightly-coloured acrylic sheets that can be stacked together.
Image credit: Pibow.