Wave Laptop Stand (Making 3D Shapes in Illustrator)

Step 6 Laser Cutting

I fed the vector layout to our laser cutter, and let it rip. It took about twenty minutes to get both layouts cut out. For reference, I used 100% power at 18% speed. You can see images of the pieces being cut out and punched out, below.

Comments

[verbatin01]

where would you find a laser cutter capable of using a digital image? How much did this cost?

[nagutron]

Well, I'm in the uncommon situation of having access to the Epilog laser cutter here at Instructables HQ. You can check out Ponoko if you'd like to be able to order laser cut items. You can also make me an offer on this laptop stand or one like it.

[seandogue]

The entry level system that Epilog sells is about $8000 in US dollars. Not the sort of thing that most DIYers have immediate access to, let alone own. Yes, you can always call a company and purchase a precut piece of material. That's a given. Jobshops have been doing that work for as long as there have been blacksmiths. And yes, if you're aprt of the upper classes, you can buy one for your six car garage or have your wife buy you one as a stocking stuffer for Christmas. I would hate to see this venue turn into a showcase for bored managers who use their company resources for the purposes of showing off their financial might. I do think the basic artistic design is cool, really...kudos for the graphics Artiste, Mac graphics artists are well known in the industry, but with all due respect, I am much more impressed with projects that rely more on ingenuity rather than a financially privileged background. Almost anyone can make a souffle if they have a french cook. Now if you used the Epilog to exceed it's capabilities, for instance, to ablate PCB material (not possible with Epilog laser systems) or cut substantially thicker material than its sales office says can be done by a given Epilog model by altering the machine's design there at Instructables HQ, or if you had actually built the laser milling machine yourself...well that I'd be impressed by. It's pretty. that's a given.

[cddog]

(removed by author or community request)

[seandogue]

(removed by author or community request)

[nagutron]

Feel free to complete this instructable any way you prefer or with any tools you have access to. When it comes down to it, this is a fairly simple woodworking project. You can do it with a jigsaw, as several commenters have already noted. The focus of the instructable is on the design of the wave shape, using a 2d vector program to create slices through a 3d volume. Whatever you come up with, whether it's something similar to this or a totally new project, make sure to post it on the site!

[verbatin01]

In my vision, the jigsaw method would be totally frustrating. Not only would it take a very long time, but the end product for the slats would have so much error tolerance stack-up that it wouldn't look nearly as sleek. I can see a lot of broken wood and strange and awkward angles...

[HandyMan1959]

For those of us that use jig saws this would be a very do-able project. If you have seen all the intricate work craftsmen have produced on jig saws you would not have posted this. And for the person that complained about using a laser, perhaps they should look into making a CNC machine or getting a jig saw. I for one give this ible a ***** (5 star)

[nagutron]

Compare, for example, to RC model airplanes with hand-built wood skeleton wings. I used to make those as a kid by hand (with balsa wood, sure) but it was certainly doable.

[seandogue]

(removed by author or community request)

[nagutron]

Hey, no worries. Believe me, there are tools I wish I had, too (e.g. a lathe) and it can definitely be frustrating to see cool projects that I'd like to do but can't. I'm glad you can appreciate projects even if they aren't ones you can immediately do, though.

[Fieldownage]

Usually the cool projects you can't do make you want to buy those new toys or give your brains some work to figure a way to do it with what you have.

[verbatin01]

I don't mean to cast aside your awesome work, but this isn't exactly in the instructables spirit of things. I mean, what's the use of an instructable that almost no one is capable of using? You very well may not have considered this, but It's a bit frustrating to get your hopes up for nothing.

[Re-design]

Check with your local model airplane hobby shop or a RC club. There are companies that have these lasers and will cut your pattern for a very reasonable fee.

[noahw]

There are tons of projects on the site that require special tools, steps and knowledge to complete. Just because something is difficult, or exclusive doesn't mean that a user shouldn't share their work.

Additionally laser cutters are plenty accessible these days.
Many schools and universities have them (check the engineering department).
Ponoko will cut things for you and mail you your parts.
Tap Plastics will do custom cuts for you (they have many locations).
Techshop has a laser cutter that's available to the public.
And finally, there are plenty of laser cutting businesses out there too who would be glad to make a cut for anyone.

[Very Keri]

I agree! I don't have a garage full of power tools ( don't even have a garage for that matter) , but thankfully I can have wood cut at the hardware store for like 25 cents a cut. If you just did a search for an accessible tool to do the job, you'd have fewer reasons to not tackle a project like this.

[sublate]

I don't know if it's possible to edit posts, but you might want to check the spelling in your Ponoko link - I was slightly surprised by the Page Title that popped into a new browser tab ;)

[Lawst]

Also, if it's wood, the only tools needed woudl be a jigsaw and sandpaper.

[pradeepdesign]

u can better use a cnc router for the same

[seandogue]

Lol, not with a mac, they're using Illustrator to do a job that's been done by CAD proggies on the PC for over 20 years It's a nice design though

[kthunt]

I also have an Epilog laser and you can get better cuts in plywood if you lower the power and have it take 2 or 3 passes. The problem is that the typical glue used in plywood is not laser friendly so it takes alot more heat than the wood. So you roast the wood tying to get through the glue. Taking more passes at lower power gives less charring, a thinner kerf and better control. The trade off is a little more time. Also search for Laser Birch Dieboard which uses special glues.

[nagutron]

This is great information! Thanks.

[crystalnickel]

I really love this! I would love to have one, how much were you thinking to charge? But I imagine it would be expensive to ship.