Hello there! I have a C-beam plate maker, and i was considering one of those cheap laser diodes to mount on it. I already have a makita router, so i don't need the diode to cut serious stuff, the router will be used for such tasks. However, i think that the laser may be cool to engrave logos on stuff (wood, acrylic), and perhaps it would be cool to be able to cut thin acrylic sheets (2mm). My goal is not to make a big laser cutter, but to have fun with lasers and get used to work with those. But for this, i obviously don't want to spend too much, so i'm looking at cheap laser diodes. So here is my question : how do i chose the laser wavelength? i've read that 405nm laser cut better than 450nm lasers, and for the same price i can get a 3-5W 450 nM laser when i get a 0.5-1W 405 nM laser. So considering small laser diodes, what wavelength do i want? is it only influencing the type of materials i can engrave/cut? can i cut vynil with low power lasers? what's best to engrave or cut thin acrylic? I also have a 3D printer (prusa i3 MK2), i'd like to try engraving 3D printed PLA parts, see what i can do to the surface (laser smoothing?), etc... Thanks in advance
For instance, i find those laser diodes in 450nM : 450nm 2500mW 12V High Power TTL Adjustable Focus Blue Laser Module DIY Laser engraver accessories 2.5W laser+Protect glass-in Woodworking Machinery Parts from Tools on Aliexpress.com | Alibaba Group , for around 50-60€ , and for half the price i can source comparable 405nm lasers within the 500mW-1000mW range (rarely more). So why 405nM versus 445/450 nM wavelength? By the way i also found this one : 1000mW 1500MW 405nm Blueviolet Light Laser Head laser Module Engraver Accessory for CNC laser Carving Engraving Machine-in Woodworking Machinery Parts from Tools on Aliexpress.com | Alibaba Group it's the module without the control board, but it's cheap (aproximately 15€ delivered). perhaps it's better since i can try to find a better driving board?
