Mokey is an inexpensive DIY laser engraver

All makers love lasers and so they make nice store instruments. Even low-power lasers can engrave quite a lot of supplies. Chopping materials requires extra energy, with the preferred reducing lasers being CO2 with energy between 10W-100W. However the small, inexpensive strong state laser modules can lower some supplies, like acrylic, for those who get a strong sufficient mannequin. If you would like an inexpensive approach to make use of a kind of, then the Mokey Laser v1.0 is value .

Lasers like these can engrave and lower materials, which suggests they’ll completely harm you — your eyes are particularly weak. When you’re going to construct one thing like this, be sure you perceive how one can function it safely. It isn’t proven within the video, however you need to completely use some type of shielded enclosure that may deal with the wavelength and energy of the laser you utilize. Even with such an enclosure, you need to put on the suitable security goggles.

This design cuts prices by using 3D printer-style components and by omitting the optics which can be crucial for CO2 lasers. As a result of strong state laser modules are so compact, it’s sensible to maneuver them on a gantry in the identical approach as a 3D-printer’s extruder as an alternative of redirecting the laser beam with mirrors and lenses.

The construction of the Mokey Laser v1.0 is 8020 aluminum extrusion, which additionally acts as rails for the V-roller wheels on which the gantry rides. Many of the different components are 3D-printed, with normal stepper motors and GT2 belts offering movement. An Arduino Uno board controls these stepper motors via a CNC Protect V3 with A4988 drivers. When you construct this, you’ll have many software program choices. As proven, it runs GRBL 1.1 and that’s appropriate with virtually each open supply g-code sender on the market, together with some which can be add-ons for Inkscape so you possibly can management the laser from the identical software program you utilize to create toolpaths.

The full construct price with the invoice of supplies introduced is $402.61, which makes this fairly inexpensive for the dimensions and functionality.