Very late as I write.. I worked until about 1:30 am trying to get caught up from my day off on Friday..
I did take a couple of hours off midday to go help inaugurate the new Epilog Mini 60 Watt Co2 laser we just bought for the Vermont FabLab. We’re planning our big opening for May 2nd and we already have our 3D printer, Scanner, laser cutter and electronics station. I’m very excited about it. I wanted to go see the laser first hand. Victor and Jeff had gotten it running.. but we still hadn’t figured out how to mix raster engraving with the actual cutting. Victor and I spent a half an hour fooling around.. (and calling the technician).. and finale got it working !.
;
After you figure out the settings.. the thing is a piece of cake to use.. You draw soemthing on the screen and push pring and voila !.. The laser head starts flying around.. and magically your object appears. The laser 10.6 microns.. so it’s well below what our eyes can see.. all you see is a white hot point and a razor thin cut appearing in the work piece. This thing can cut plexiglass, plywood, thin aluminum, cloth, leather.. just about anything that isn’t too flammable or too toxic when burnt (eg polycarbonate aka Lexan) ..
Our first real test was to make a plastic SamStone.. of course..
Here’s what it looks like while etching.. not much to see. but you get an idea of the speed. The cutting is lighting fast at this thickness..
;
;
;
;
We are VERY excited abot the new FabLab.. once again. if you’re intetested in learnign more about using the fablab resources, please let me know and check out VermontFablab.org.
OK.. It’s now past 1:30 and time to sleep
nite all, nite sam
-me
ps. Our great freind Debra is a fantastic cook. She’s started a business around baking Scottish shortbread cookies. She’s having a free tasting event tomorrow at Natural Provisions Market. You should check it out if you can. .. We’ve been here samplers these past months , and you’ve *never* had cookies like this.. My fave is the Scottish S’more.. two shortbreads sandwiching home made dulce de leche dipped in chocolate. Really good and interesting stuff. Please come check it out .. and support Deb. !!!!