Laser cutting?

**rch123** · #1 12-01-2010, 11:39 PM

Does anyone know if there is such a thing as laser cutting available to the general public? Is it possible for me to go somewhere or order a machine that cuts all thicknesses of paper and all colors for a affordable price?

**D-H** · #2 12-01-2010, 11:53 PM

I have priced but not commissioned some bespoke laser cutting. Like printing there are some hefty fixed charges but cutting itself is quite a low cost.

A North American forum member has bought a machine and offers a service.

D

**rch123** · #3 12-01-2010, 11:59 PM

Thanks for your reply. I know it's asking to much

, but I'm just looking for a way to spend less darn time cutting and more time building. But I guess cutting comes with the territory.

**SJPONeill** · #4 12-02-2010, 12:01 AM

There are a number of companies that offer it here (noting the small number of NZ members) so I assume that up north there will be a number of options as well...two ways of reducing cost are to make sure your art work is in a vector format, and try to spread the costs a cross a number of pieces i.e. get together with some other modellers and get multiple parts cut for the same model...

**Zakopious** · #5 12-02-2010, 07:27 AM

See thread, "Bloodless slice & dice" at:
Bloodless slice & dice

**lancer525** · #6 12-02-2010, 10:14 AM

I tried for a while to find someone who would be willing to cut out all the frames and formers for the Montana, and never could...

It would be really cool if I could find someone who could do it.

**Fishcarver** · #7 12-03-2010, 02:39 PM

We have a local trophy outfit that does laser cutting and engraving.He sez that he will do laser cutting, provided that he has a file in vector format: says he can work from a .jpg. Check with one of these outfits if one is handy to you.
Jim

**rch123** · #8 12-03-2010, 02:45 PM

Thanks for the responses guys, I guess laser cutting is something that just can't realistically be done. I saw that instructable about a diy cutter from two scanners, but I read that it can only cut dark paper or something so that kind of rules it out. I was hoping that there was such a thing that could be purchased cheaply and be an effective tool, but the way it sounds it would be more difficult to do than to just cut paper with a good xacto knife

**solo67** · #9 12-03-2010, 03:11 PM

Well you can get a plotter such as craft robo ,it is not a laser cutter but just as good and affordable to.
What is CraftROBO? : Craft ROBO-GRAPHTEC

youtube demo
YouTube - Craft ROBO Cuts 3-D Models from Card Stock

hope this helps

**rch123** · #10 12-03-2010, 03:50 PM

that looks pretty good. I might consider buying one eventually. thanks for pointing it out!