Jan.26, 2014

Inspired by a pocket laser engraver created by Groover using a pair of DVD-RW drives, Gregory L Holloway decided to make his own mini laser engraver. He has called the project the MicroSlice, an adorable mini laser cutter & engraver. The MicroSlice is a Build-It-Yourself kit and can be easily assembled at home in about 15 hours by just about anyone.

The MicroSlice is able to cut paper, and engrave wood & plastics. It is controlled using an Arduino UNO. All the software used by the MicroSlice, including the graphics program, is Open Source.

How does the MicroSlice work? Holloway explains:

The MicroSlice works in exactly the same way as larger professional laser cutters. There are two stepper motors which move the X & Y Axis, a fan for ventilation, and there's even a honeycomb cutting table, just like the pro machines! Instead of a bulky and expensive C02 laser the MicroSlice uses a high-power Laser Diode. The Grbl Motion Control Software uses industry standard G-Code to interpret your designs. Using Inkscape you can draw, design and plot patterns to engrave or cut with your MicroSlice.

This mini Arduino laser cutter & engraver can be interesting for 3D printing community. A 3D printer plus your own personal engraver controlled with Arduino is a really nice combination, especially for people who don't have the space and ventilation for a large full size laser cutter.

And the best of all, a complete MicroSlice kit costs only around £200. All the parts are included in the full kits, everything from the Arduino UNO R3, to the laser diode, and all the cables, to the bolts & screws. Check out the Microslice's Kickstarter campaign here.





Thanks to Francesco for the tip!

Posted in 3D Technology

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aasheesh singh wrote at 4/17/2014 8:53:15 PM:not up 2 mark... wrk hrd,,,,,,,,,,PinkAsso wrote at 1/28/2014 4:01:05 AM:200mw is way underpowered to cut anything of use.



