Lasering
Howto
Install the drivers and plug in the powered laser cutter. The machine should be recognized as a regular printer. Basically thats it, you print to it. The epilog vastly prefers Corel Draw as the design program so I recommend that. You can get a trial at http://www.corel.com/servlet/Satellite/us/en/Product/1208530085783 Vector cuts must be 'hairline' or between .001 and .007 inches wide (depending on resolution), all else rasters.
Drivers
- Official Epilog driver for Windows - Vector cuts must be 'hairline' or between .001 and .007 inches wide (depending on resolution), all else rasters
- http://hci.rwth-aachen.de/lasercutter Open Source CUPS Linux/Mac driver Direct Download - vector cuts must be .5pt and red, all else rasters
Resources
- http://www.laserbits.com/ Ordering supplies, cleaners and more
- http://www.sawmillcreek.org/ Great forum where people talk lasers
- http://www.cnczone.com/forums/laser_engraving_cutting_machines/ Another great forum where people talk lasers
Buying Materials
Plastics
You probably want acrylic.
- Port Plastics 480 813 6118 - Good selection of remnants (rems or cutoffs) for fairly cheap
Wood
Cheap plywood can give mixed results due to the glue and air in between layers. However for the price you still can't beat it.
- Home Depot
- Lowes