For all its promise, the 3-D printer is not perfect. Sure, it's great for creating prototypes or small personal items or parts, but it simply cannot do everything. Those who want to dive into design or embellish their DIY creations, or even use materials like leather, wood, or cloth need something more refined, more accurate and versatile. They need a laser cutter.
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Though Glowforge's abilities will be virtually identical to most laser cutters on the market, it sets itself apart by focusing on the average consumer. The Wi-Fi connected "3-D laser printer" (as the company calls it) will be compatible with a range of digital design software, including Photoshop, Illustrator, and AutoCAD. (The less artsy among us can buy or download a design rather than mocking up their own.) After that, the process should be as easy as placing material on the bed, securing the top, and pressing a single button. If you try to open the machine while it's running, the laser will disengage before unlocking.The lasers can cut nearly anything up to ¼-inch thick, from paper and seaweed to wood and leather, except metal, glass, and stone, which it can only engrave.
(Score: 2) by GreatAuntAnesthesia on Friday June 26 2015, @09:24AM
I think the 3D printing revolution will truly take off when you have one of these lasers and a "traditional" 3D printer (ie a plastic extruder) in the same box with little robot arms to pick up the various pieces and fit them all together/ re-arrange them for further processing. Having both additive and subtractive capabilities in one unit would allow for far more flexibility in terms of the materials and techniques that could be used in a given product.
Of course the holy grail is the people-printer from "The Fifth Element".
(Score: 3, Interesting) by WillAdams on Friday June 26 2015, @01:13PM
While one can do a combined machine, the problem is that they each have different engineering requirements:
- a CNC machine wants to be rigid and requires dust collection
- a lasercutter wants to move quickly and requires ventilation
- a 3D printer wants to move quickly and be clean and temperature and humidity controlled
While one can compromise on these things, it's never quite as nice as a purpose-built machine, and prices are coming down so that one can have multiple machines (if one has room for them). Details on my converting a hobbyCNC router here: http://www.shapeoko.com/wiki/index.php/RepStrapOko [shapeoko.com]
(Score: 2) by GreatAuntAnesthesia on Friday June 26 2015, @03:39PM
Fair enough. Maybe each component could be in a separate box / module and all linked together by software, so they are all working on the same job, with a robot arm to pass parts back and forth between modules.
(Score: 1) by WillAdams on Friday June 26 2015, @04:35PM
I'm not saying it's impossible --- it's just that cleaning up / transitioning between modes isn't likely to be as automatic as one might want.
A specific set of transitions, say:
- 3D print first
- then mill away for a nicer finish
might be workable, but one would then have to thoroughly clean after removing the part when prepping the bed for 3D printing again.
Similarly, one could:
- laser engrave
- mill out pockets and other features which a laser can't make
- then vacuum thoroughly (so as to not have a fire hazard) w/o disturbing the clamped part
- then laser cut the part(s) out
My Shapeoko 1 is actually long enough that I've considered building a second gantry for it and having it function simultaneously as a 3D printer and CNC router.