Laser art
April 11, 2010 8:51 AM Subscribe
I have access to a laser cutter. What cool stuff should I make?
I have access to a laser cutter for a short period of time. So far I've etched a design in a scrap piece of wood and I plan on making something for my mom for mother's day.
The laser cutter can cut/etch anything from paper to stone (I think). Felt and cloth are bad material choices.
And oh, I've seen the video where you can cut a pizza with a laser cutter. Cool and tasty stuff except that I'm looking more for what I can make rather than what I can do.
Thanks!
I have access to a laser cutter for a short period of time. So far I've etched a design in a scrap piece of wood and I plan on making something for my mom for mother's day.
The laser cutter can cut/etch anything from paper to stone (I think). Felt and cloth are bad material choices.
And oh, I've seen the video where you can cut a pizza with a laser cutter. Cool and tasty stuff except that I'm looking more for what I can make rather than what I can do.
Thanks!
Response by poster: Oh forgot to mention! The laser cutter is 18" x 30" so some things can't fit.
posted by bluelight at 8:55 AM on April 11, 2010
posted by bluelight at 8:55 AM on April 11, 2010
You could make business (or personal) cards. You can buy blanks in wood, metal, or PVC.
posted by mireille at 9:12 AM on April 11, 2010
posted by mireille at 9:12 AM on April 11, 2010
Jigsaw puzzle.
posted by Chocolate Pickle at 9:20 AM on April 11, 2010
posted by Chocolate Pickle at 9:20 AM on April 11, 2010
I like the laser engraved business cards.
You could also engrave [whatever you want] onto house keys. (I ordered a lock from somewhere and it had a cool laser engraved logo in the keys.)
If the thing will do it, wacky sayings/pictures into stainless steel water bottles?
posted by gjc at 10:36 AM on April 11, 2010
You could also engrave [whatever you want] onto house keys. (I ordered a lock from somewhere and it had a cool laser engraved logo in the keys.)
If the thing will do it, wacky sayings/pictures into stainless steel water bottles?
posted by gjc at 10:36 AM on April 11, 2010
The coolest thing that I saw made with a laser cutter was a set of really elaborate stencils on thin but stiff plastic—essentially like screen printing, but more durable and less fussy.
posted by klangklangston at 11:42 AM on April 11, 2010
posted by klangklangston at 11:42 AM on April 11, 2010
Best answer: Check out the free files available at thingiverse (an open repository which also has files for 3-d printing). You might also want to take a look at Epilog's sample club, where they post project ideas including files - it gives a decent look at the range of options.
posted by polymath at 11:46 AM on April 11, 2010
posted by polymath at 11:46 AM on April 11, 2010
We just got a laser cutter at the research lab where I work. So far, my friends and I have (1) made some sculptures out of interlocking acrylic pieces (ie, a cube).. (2) laser-etched an acrylic circle with a photo of the moon, and side-lit it with white LEDs.. (3) made etched + cut jigsaw puzzles out of photos.. (4) etched type into a board to make a sign. (5) cut a custom base to ceiling-mount a Playstation Eye camera..
I want to laser-cut something like those fit-together wood dinosaur skeletons, but I'm not sure what to make yet. Dinosaurs are played out. :p
posted by Alterscape at 2:30 PM on April 11, 2010
I want to laser-cut something like those fit-together wood dinosaur skeletons, but I'm not sure what to make yet. Dinosaurs are played out. :p
posted by Alterscape at 2:30 PM on April 11, 2010
You know those laser-engraved river stones with things like "LOVE" and "PEACE" on them? I think you should make a bunch with other words on them, like "TRABLE" and "MOXIE" and "LOINS".
posted by The otter lady at 5:44 PM on April 11, 2010
posted by The otter lady at 5:44 PM on April 11, 2010
If you're looking for a business aspect, you could start manufactoring lighting gobos for your theatrical/entertainment community:
Same of what can be done
posted by felspar at 6:41 PM on April 11, 2010
Same of what can be done
posted by felspar at 6:41 PM on April 11, 2010
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posted by runningwithscissors at 8:54 AM on April 11, 2010