The Space Optimized LAser Cutter is a 40 watt CO2 laser cutter that supports a maximum part volume of 24" x 16" x 6.25". It consists of a V-slot frame + brackets/mounts designed to be 3D printed on a consumer desktop printer. Total cost of the machine is ~ $1,400 USD.

This is a C-Beam based router with V-rails used for the bed, a Sherline spindle with Jacobs chuck, closed loop stepper motors on every axis and an offline 4-axis CNC controller. A U-channel was created to guide the drag chain on the X-axis.

CNC router

Video diary C-Beam XL build with massive steppers and a 1.5kW Chinese spindle.

Need to build a machine that accurately positions objects for processing by a computer vision algorithm? Here is an example of a machine that does that for a ball trajectory application. The black anodized V-rails work well for applications in optics and imaging where the machine needs to stay out of the limelight.