LASER SURGERY: broadening THE BED OF A affordable CHINESE LASER CUTTER

Don’t you just dislike it when you spend less than $400 on a 40-watt laser cutter as well as it turns out to have a work area the size of a sheet of copy paper? [Kostas Filosofou] sure did, however rather than stick keeping that restricted work envelope, he customized his affordable K40 laser cutter so it has practically five times the original space.

The K40 doesn’t make any type of pretenses — it’s a affordable laser cutter as well as engraver from China. But with new units going for $344 on eBay now, it’s practically a no-brainer. even with its limitations, you’re still getting a 40-watt CO2 laser as well as respectable movement manage hardware to play with. [Kostas] began the embiggening by eliminating the high-voltage power supply from its original space-hogging house to the ideal of the work area. keeping that living in a new outboard enclosure, a new X-Y gantry of extruded aluminum rails as well as 3D-printed parts was built, as well as a much better exhaust fan was installed. custom-made mirror assemblies were turned, much better fans were added to the radiator, as well as oh yes — he added a Z-axis to the bed too.

We’re sure [Kostas] ran the tab up a bit on this build, however when you’re costs so bit to begin with, it’s simple to get brought away. speaking of which, if you feel the requirement for an even bigger cutter, an massive 100-watt system may be a lot more your style.

Thanks to stalwart tipster [George Graves] for the heads up on this one.