How CO2 Laser Cutters work and ...Why you might want to build one!

While I'm waiting for parts to arrive I thought it would be a good idea to do a quick video on the basics of CO2 Laser Cutters. I briefly cover the topics.
What is a Laser Cutter; How does it work; What types of material can it cut; Why you want to DIY Build your own; What's happening in the next video.

BTS and more info:

[greengoatman]

As someone who has built a c02 laser cutter id have to say that it is totally worth it. There are a lot of struggles but when you get it to work it is so rewarding. Looking forward to see your process compared to mine

[thenikspace]

After 2 years of planning and 2 months of building. My machine is finally ready. Of course need some calibration but I wanted to thank you. Thank you fo sharing your knowledge. And helping me and other to build something like that. I am already making present for my family and friends and who knows maybe make a business out of this. Wish you the best.

PS: Big thanks to the Facebook community.

[bneben]

Awesome! My home-built 100w co2 laser is going fantastically well. I highly recommend making one!

[eggy_ramen]

I was literally just watching your last video hoping that you post again soon, and I check my subscriptions and here it is, you read my mind!

[Azmodious]

I have about 75% of the parts in, just a week or so away from build. Love your guides.

[theinternal]

While I'm only a newbie (I just recently got myself a K40 that I'm putting to test), from what I've seen, you're on the right path. Best of luck from me!

[BallubaFishingChainsaws]

i work on a 2500 w co2 laser. i cut metal sheets at 15 mm thickness clean and nice. this video helped me urderstand more than i already know. ty

[EcoMouseChannel]

I am currently in the market for a CO2 laser... but a 300w unit. I'll probably end up with the 280w model, because I was informed it's a more stable/durable tube system, and I'll only lose a tiny bit of cut speed, but save a few hundred dollars.

However, building one intrigues me but the total build needs to be WAY less than $6200 for the size I started looking into. Because that's how much I can spend on importing a turn-key shipped to my door. Includes water chiller, various personal choice additions, like automatic material sensing, motorized Z-Table, 4th axis rotary attachment, material pass-thru support... plus the ability to cut up to 3mm (1/8th) steel plate, and 2mm stainless. Obviously the other stuff too, like 38mm (1.5") acrylic and 24mm (1") MDF and everything thinner than that. I know I want a Rudia controller, because I'd be able to use Lightburn (from my Mac) to directly cut and engrave from programs I already know how to use, like Photoshop and Illustrator.

I know it might sound like a lot to some, but when you price similar machines sold by 3rd party companies, the specs I listed are easily into the $20k range and WELL BEYOND!! Plus, I'm really more of a business, than personal garage usage, and the price of the machine can be written off. So I know a return on investment is a no-brainer and much quicker the less I pay up-front for a machine. Plus, I don't have to owe any leasing company money each month, if I should not be as busy as I hoped I would be or the economy takes a dump. Been there done that... can anyone say 2008?

I just came back from ISA sign expo in Las Vegas, where there were many laser machine vendors there. Including all the main ones you've heard of, Trotec, Universal, Kern etc... plus quite a few direct to import companies showing off their latest offerings. I looked at a 4x8 Fiber Laser, it was "only" $70k and could cut up to 1/4" steel plate with oxygen assist. But the cuts in regular sheet steel were fantastic! Almost no detectible heat affected zone, and super tight tolerances. Even at that price, it's technically a bargain compared to the $250k entry price tag from some larger manufacturers like Mitsubishi. If I needed more speed and cut capacity, it seems like a good way to get started in the biz. Then you could cut your teeth on a budget machine, get some jobs in under your belt and get your name out there... THEN you could get the brand name machine, if down-time, service and warranty are critical to your profitability and bottom line. I know those salesmen push those attributes super hard and try to poo-poo Chinese import machines. But nearly all of them use the exact same components from the same manufacturers. What you are usually paying for is the overhead and fancy offices for the larger corporations. Even the biggest have iffy service contracts, once the machine is installed in your facility. So you aren't always paying for customer service and a field tech. One of the Chinese manufacturers told me straight up, that if their machine goes down, and they can't trouble shoot it over the phone or through the computer, they'd fly a tech out for only $1500. But they are actively training local independent field techs so there would always be someone available.

Anyway... I'll be watching this video series closely to see if this is the direction I want to go. As I've already converted a Chinese wide format printer (with Epson DX7 printheads) to be a UV ink compatible printer, and saved $40k by doing it myself, over buying one already built that way. Once I realized that just saying your printer has UV cure lights, automatically means you can charge a premium... I got active and figured it out. (it was not hard... added a UV LED chip to the side of the print head, and a magnetic reed switch to turn it on as it passed over the print. Found an ink manufacturer that sells ink that cures within that wave length. Only tricky part was learning what print speeds allowed to ink to cure just right)

[nicholassmith]

Wow what a nice easter treat, almost better than easter eggs!!!

[madsam]

I had a book once, called: Anguished English, by Richard Leerder, and that had "rocket surgery" and we've used that in my family for ages.
Its great hearing someone else use it!

[tweakinsweet]

I think what you’re doing is really great mate! Best of luck with the series, I’ll be watching it. I hope to build one myself if budget and skill allows.

[joscelkentmanzanero]

I'm really glad I found this channel as I'm planning to build one but I don't know where to start. Looking forward to the series!

[kweels]

I cant wait! I can tell you are really putting care into the production of these videos

[elmigue]

You got my subscription when you said Laser... I'm in bruh!!

[AlienEclipseNZ]

Awesome ! can't wait for this series, been wanting to build a laser cutter for a while now.

[bevan]

Triple flip and chips for the dip! Nice one fellow maker

[the-bulb]

But if you put a 300watt laser tube with the correct power supply if it possible to cut aluminum or tougher materials ?

[benjaminisaacs]

Nice video man! Good to have a fellow Wellingtonian maker!!

[zakaryasidelazara]

Good work. All of your videos are inductif. Thank you. Good continuation

[malditoklee]

Sir you are a freaking genius! Amazing, thorough and well thought out laser build explanation!