Hello everyone! I am really new to this. I have a Workbee 1500x1000 with a router configuration. I am planning to expand it in dimensions. Can anyone suggest me a kit that can transform it to a laser cutter/engraver? I want to cut 3-5mm acrylic. Thank you in advance My machine is this: OpenBuilds Workbee 1500x1000mm Natural
You will most likely need a CO2 laser for that. That will greatly complicate things. Read through some of the CO2 laser builds here to get some ideas. Many have bought the cheap K40 laser and used a few Openbuilds parts to easily increase the cutting area.
I have seen this: PLH3D-6W-XF Universal CNC and 3D Printer Kit | laser engraver set for CNC and 3D printers and this: Openbuilds All-in-One Laser and Mounting Kit Bundle | J Tech Photonics, Inc. Has anyone experience with any of the above?
I'm afraid you will not cut 3-5mm acrylic with those - you need much more power (40 - 50 Watts). Alex.
Well, according to Opt Lasers, it can cut 3 mm plexiglass an 2 mm per second. But they only appear to claim that for red and green. https://optlasers.com/manual/laser-head-test-1-plh3d-6w-optlasers.com.pdf But, for the price I could buy 3 k40 40 watt CO2 lasers that I know would cut what you want and way faster. Plus it is a designated machine so you do not have to worry about dust from your spindle messing with the optics of the laser, unless your plan was to remove the laser head everytime you used the spindle . I bought a K40 so I could get the components to modify it with Openbuilds parts and make a much better laser system with a rotary axis incorporated like what was recently posted in the laser section of this forum.