3-in-1 3D printer / CNC Machine / Laser Engraver - Coming soon starting under $500

[f.larsen]

Roxy, I get the feeling that you won't be able to use any of them at the same time. He isn't writing any additional software, just using off the shelf Repetier Host and a tweaked firmware, that I would assume is from Repetier or Marlin.

His excitement got the better of him at the moment.

- It would work good as a 3d printer.

- I agree that running a dremmel for any length of time is not recommended, they get hot in my hands. And because it's a seperate piece of hardware, it would have to be manually turned off and on, unless you used relays and coded that into the firmware, but then trying to get Repetier Host to understand this additional hardware would be interesting (and fun for myself), or as he says he's doing is hooking up a LCD, so that there is no need to control software that is external. So that's a possibility. Still have to code it in.

- Lasers aren't just plug and play. In theory, yes. They require clean power, hefty heatsinks and safety, because it's a fricken laser. A laser for simple engraving would easily run off of the power provided by the Sanguinololu board mentioned, it would have to be regulated and metered. Somebody help me out here, does Repetier have a 'laser' setting? I guess it's not up to the Repetier host, it relies on the slicer and what gcode is being output. He mentions "LittleBox" as a possible laser engraver that comes with the machine, still wondering if he is going to integrate that code into the firmware.

I feel this is an ambitious idea that needs to be thought out more.

[Roxy]

Yeah, your point is well taken. The amount of software to adapt the printer and tools to do things is going to be a huge effort. It is easy to say "Yeah... That could work!" But to actually get everything done and working together is going to be some effort. I hope it happens!!! But for now, I'll just make do with my 3D-Printer.