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3D Printers and Lasers

Discuss computer driven 3D printers, engraving and milling machines, laser cutters and their software and resources

146 topics in this forum

  1. Zack00

    Will 3D printing replace CNC machining rapid prototyping?

    by Zack00
    • 0 replies
    • 1.1k views

    CNC machining is a manufacturing process where computer software controls the movement of tools and machinery. For decades, it has been a stable manufacturing process and has become one of the main manufacturing methods for precision manufacturing. But in recent years, CNC machining has been challenged by rapidly developing technology: 3D printing, which is an additive manufacturing process that builds the desired part up layer by layer. But for CNC machinists who are concerned about losing their jobs, here is an opinion that might cheer you up: 3D printing is unlikely to replace CNC Machining, at least in the near future. Accuracy In terms of accurac…

    Zack00
    Last reply by Zack00,
  3. Billy Hell

    40W Chinese Laser - Engrave and Cut Leather - Discuss 1 2 3 4 16

    by Billy Hell

    I am a maker of belts, holsters, wallets, etc. I hand tool everything I make. I have a Cowboy 3200 to handle most of my stitching. I had a friend request and interesting concept for some wallets to give as prizes at an air show aerobatics competition. It was suggested I use a laser for the precise map like cuts. I had look at a laser in the past but the cost was too much for a night time maker like me. electrathon pasted a link to a chinese 40 watt laster that is around $330. Since then I have been doing as much research on this as possible. I have the money but want to make sure I'm making the right decision. PROS The entry price is doable. A 40w ma…

    Gulrok
    Last reply by Gulrok,
  4. BDAZ

    Resin Printer for making embossing plates and stamps 1 2 3 4

    by BDAZ

    I recently acquired a Creality LD002H resin printer. I have been looking at 3D printers for years, but the filament printers were too Rube Goldberg with poor results and the resin printers were too expensive and messy. Finally there is a perfect storm of inexpensive, high resolution printers, easy to use slicing software and most importantly, water washable resin with almost no odor. I am in the process of bending Photoshop to my will, never having used the 3D functions but wondering what software folks are using to create stamps, etc. I have had the printer for a week and have attached a few pics of my first days prints and a few subsequent ones. I am hoping to…

    BDAZ
    Last reply by BDAZ,
  5. dikman

    Laser engraved maker's mark. 1 2

    by dikman

    I've been trying to convince myself to learn 3D modelling so I could make a maker's mark stamp, but without success (every time I try it all gets too hard!). So, having recently bought one of those dinky little laser engravers I thought "I wonder....". A bit of doodling later with photoshop and I got something that sort of works. Not sure how practical it is yet. The round one gives better detail on the cactus but smaller printing, the oval one is probably a better design, with larger lettering, but then I loose detail on the cactus. A work-in-progress, as they say. Oh, and burning into garment leather (chrome tan, I guess) stinks!!!!!!!

    Bert03241
    Last reply by Bert03241,
  6. chrisash

    Why don't many lasers have a movable z axis

    by chrisash

    Looking around at hobby lasers and nearly all do not have a movable z axis driven by a stepper motor, you just focus on the surface and that's it With 3D printers and cad machines, they all have a stepper driven z axis and the price of steppers is peanuts If the lasers had a z stepper, then as you get further into the depth you could lower the focal point as you go to get deeper cutting depths, so maybe cut the first 3 or 4 passes at surface fixed focus then automatically adjust z axis up a small amount to keep focus at the new depth Just curious

    Bert03241
    Last reply by Bert03241,
  7. ASW27B

    I jumped in with both feet

    by ASW27B

    I just recently began sewing leather and trying to get creative with a few designs for wallets and other items. In trying to speed things up and go to a different level I purchased a 80 watt Monoport Laser and cooler. I plan on cutting and engraving my products. I certainly understand the learning curve, but does anyone have similar machine and how well does it work? Thanks, ASW27

    kgg
    Last reply by kgg,
  8. dprezgay

    Making Leather Stamps 1 2

    by dprezgay

    I know I'm opening a can of worms here but here it goes. I want to make some custom leather stamps. The kind you make with a piece of metal and a cnc machine. I know that I can get them made but I need to make a lot of them for some projects I want to do. These would be for personal use or for use in the leatherwork classes I teach with Scouts. Some will be used once or twice and others might be used hundreds of times. I will probably recycle them, after I'm done with them, by melting them and turning them into "raw" material to make more stamps. Example 1 - My wife is a High School math teacher. She also runs the Rubic's Cube club along with having a brid…

    Northmount
    Last reply by Northmount,
  9. Bert03241

    3D printer Owners help

    by Bert03241

    Has anyone ever printed a Perry Belt Clip. I broke one on my suspenders. I've searched the web High and low for a replacement clip and no joy.Can these be printed?

    kgg
    Last reply by kgg,
  10. ToddW

    Question for Glowforge Pro owners

    by ToddW
    • 1 reply
    • 1.1k views

    I am weighing a Pro vs Plus and curious about the feeding through the front slot. Could you feed a long length of leather through the front and cut something like this shotgun case? Does the front feeding of material really work as advertised. This is a long straight cut so seems like it would feed and cut if it does work as advertised. Thoughts?

    Bert03241
    Last reply by Bert03241,
  11. Prestige593

    Calling all Glowforge Owners 1 2 3

    by Prestige593

    I have been surfing the web, YouTube, FaceBook, and some various forums but coming up short for answers. I recently got a mini desktop laser and have been tooling around with it. So far I'm not that impressed. I have seen a lot online about Glowforge, but never in person. I am asking for the Glowforge owners to give me the Good, Bad, & Ugly. I am not asking for options from people who don't own one, but rather from actual owners/operators. My main purpose will be to laser etch in fine detail on leather to come up with some cool stuff. Let's hear it....

    Bert03241
    Last reply by Bert03241,
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