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Posted

http://bits.blogs.nytimes.com/2015/02/15/slice-and-carve-the-next-wave-in-computer-aided-creativity/?_r=0

The page also has a video.

"The wave of new machines is bringing a new level of precision to people who make physical objects — from leather wallets to lamps to circuit boards — as a career or hobby."

" ... he placed a piece of cowhide inside the Glowforge and sent a design for a cover for a Moleskine notebook from an iPad to the machine. Pulses of light began to glow inside the laser cutter as it burned stitch holes into the leather, followed by a rectangular cut that formed the outer edges of what would become the notebook cover. "

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Posted

I LIKE it. The industry definitely needs some competition to keep things at a good price.

They didn't mention power but engraving leather only needs about 20 watts. Cutting

thru does require more. Cutting chrome-tanned leather requires even more so.

"Out of my mind.....back in 5 minutes"

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Posted

"The machine, which costs $2,199, weighs about 16 pounds, so it can be carted around in a car." I have a laser cutter on my next big purchase list but I would need to know the specifics of this machine before I even consider it. Specifically, what is the bed size - how large an item can it cut.? They don't give much information on it at all and Google don't have much information on this machine either other than several links to the same article you linked to. I did go to Glowforge's website and this thing is not even on the market yet. I subscribed to their email list for them to notify me when they launch, I just hope it's before I buy the one I have been currently looking at.

Karina

"The only man who makes no mistake, is the man who does nothing." Theodore Roosevelt

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Posted

Anyone know if discoloration along the cut edge is a problem? Particularly on lighter colored leathers.

I've only tried it once for fun, and natural veg tan does burn a bit around the edges. Latigo does it a bit less - probably due to the wax and content.

I was thinking about trying it a bit more. If I did so, I would probably add 1mm excess material, and sand the burnt edges off, which I almost do already, when I burnish.

Posted

Er, should I pack up? What is the world coming to? Next thing will be Machines that can stitch leather instead of by hand.......

<p>Best Wishes</p><p> </p><p>Claire</p><p> </p><p> </p><p>Claire Ashton</p><p> </p><p>Leather</p><p>by</p><p>Claire</p><p>Shrewsbury UK</p>

  • Contributing Member
Posted

No, Clair, those new-fangled "sewing machines" are just a fad. They'll never really get going.

The laser is listed as "about as wide as a large suitcase". The table top milling machine thingy is the one that's listed as 16lbs.

The idea of an inexpensive laser table is intriguing but I have to wonder about it's power as well as the scaleability of it. If it can handle a 24x36 inch piece, I'll definitely be in line for one. I don't view the addition of laser tech. to leather crafting to be a bad thing. Laser cut edges still require finishing, and I'm not going to be using laser cut stitch holes. However, I'd really like the option to design some graphics in something like Illustrator or Inkscape, push a button, and have a faint image burned onto the leather instead of having to deal with transferring the pattern manually. Hmm...need business cards? Load up a tray full of scraps, and have the laser burn in your name, logo, and info, then give you a border to cut along...done. I guess I'm seeing a laser as something that will augment my leather working, not replace ME, or the handmade aspects of my work. It's just one step further along the path. How many of us print a pattern and transfer it vs. drawing a pattern...twice....and transferring it? Or to go another step back, how many of us draw a pattern on the leather, carve it, then use that as a tap off or the other side (for mirror images). NOTE: I'm not saying that these are bad things, just using them as examples of processes.

Yet, I'm sure there will be things that are way overdone with a laser. I can see the companies that put together the craft kits using a laser to put the carving pattern directly on the leather instead of a printed sheet of paper. Why not? That sheet probably costs ~$0.50 (large quantity economics), so if they use a $5000 dollar laser machine to 'print' the pattern they break even at 10,000 units. If you think about that scale, we're talking about refilling all the Tandy store craft kits ONCE. It may be even more economically attractive as once the laser is being used, there's no longer any ordering, shipping, and storing of the reams of paper....in different sizes. The end result is that the little hobby and starter kits will have pieces of pressed and plated leather that will look like the pages from a kid's coloring book. That is where I think it's gone too far.

Mike DeLoach

Esse Quam Videri (Be rather than Seem)

"Don't learn the tricks of the trade.....Learn the trade."

"Teach what you know......Learn what you don't."

LEATHER ARTISAN'S DIGITAL GUILD on Facebook.

Posted

Found this on youtube...

Wrap Wallet - The best wallet in the world, made in the USA:

<p>Best Wishes</p><p> </p><p>Claire</p><p> </p><p> </p><p>Claire Ashton</p><p> </p><p>Leather</p><p>by</p><p>Claire</p><p>Shrewsbury UK</p>

  • Contributing Member
Posted

Wow!....for ONLY $999 he'll make a wallet for me out of <$25 of Stingray??? WHERE DO I SIGN UP??????

Mike DeLoach

Esse Quam Videri (Be rather than Seem)

"Don't learn the tricks of the trade.....Learn the trade."

"Teach what you know......Learn what you don't."

LEATHER ARTISAN'S DIGITAL GUILD on Facebook.

  • 3 weeks later...

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