Any particular reason you don't want to use a router like everybody else does? I'd think it would be more economical, and doesn't vinyl release some rather unpleasant fumes when you burn it?
If you really want to go with the laswer, an acquaintance of mine has recently gotten into a similar business:
formatting link
I haven't seen her in some time, since she moved away, but I suspect she'd be happy to sell you some consulting on the matter to bring you up to speed. She's a bit... "socially fringe", one might say, but technically entirely capable.
Actually, I think my best alternative is to go to a place that has a vinyl cutting machine. There are commercial machines for cutting vinyl graphics around my neighborhood.
I'm guessing there's a laser inside those machines..
You could try eBay for a CO2 laser. Some sellers in China have the tubes quite cheap (I see $400 US ~= $400 Cdn with shipping), and about the same again for the power supply. I'll defer to others on the optics and air jet you'd likely need at the business end of things.
Not much of a weapon. I think the US regulates sales under the FDA.
Best regards, Spehro Pefhany
--
"it\'s the network..." "The Journey is the reward"
speff@interlog.com Info for manufacturers: http://www.trexon.com
Embedded software/hardware/analog Info for designers: http://www.speff.com
Oh no...those laser cutting guys will probably only know about replacement parts..That could be pricy..
1 million hits huh... wow :) Including.. laser hair removal, the Dodge Laser,laser shows, sci-fi laser guns ...etc.. I was hoping for "Crazy Wongs Discount Chinese Laser Supply" to pop up :) D from BC
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| James E.Thompson, P.E. | mens |
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America: Land of the Free, Because of the Brave
As someone else suggested, go to ebay and search for "laser cutter". I got one hit for a 40W CO2 laser tube for $300, and one hit for a matching power supply also for $300. For cutting and marking paper and plastics at a reasonable speed that would be sufficient laser power, and CO2 lasers are the cheapest per watt of photons by far. The problem is that now you have a laser but no enclosure and no optics and no aiming control and no software and no ... and no ... :-). Look at item
330099874262 for what looks like a nice cnc cutter ready to go for small stuff in the 7"x8" range, for $5000 australian ($4000 US). They have much bigger models, as well. I've never used their stuff but always thought it looked good.
-- Regards, Carl Ijames carl dott ijames aat verizon dott net (remove nospm or make the obvious changes before replying)
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#1 Offishul Ruiner of Usenet, March 2007
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Everything involves risk. Check the feedbacks CAREFULLY and use a payment method that allows recourse if they allow it, or think twice. This guy looks to have a lot of problems with communication and support (ie. not much of either). That may or may not be okay with you. Heck, you're in BC, I'm sure your next-door neighbors on one side or the other are fluent in Mandarin..
Best regards, Spehro Pefhany
--
"it\'s the network..." "The Journey is the reward"
speff@interlog.com Info for manufacturers: http://www.trexon.com
Embedded software/hardware/analog Info for designers: http://www.speff.com
--
#1 Offishul Ruiner of Usenet, March 2007
#1 Usenet Asshole, March 2007
#1 Bartlo Pset, March 13-24 2007
#10 Most hated Usenetizen of all time
#8 AUK Hate Machine Cog
Pierre Salinger Memorial Hook, Line & Sinker, June 2004
COOSN-266-06-25794
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