Scheme of a homemade laser from a computer. Metal laser cutter – how does it work, is it possible to make it yourself? To work you will need

Hello ladies and gentlemen. Today I am opening a series of articles devoted to high-power lasers, because Habrasearch says that people are looking for such articles. I want to tell you how you can make quite powerful laser, and also teach you to use this power not just for the sake of “shine on the clouds.”

Warning!

The article describes the production of a powerful laser (300mW ~ power of 500 Chinese pointers), which can harm your health and the health of others! Be extremely careful! Use special safety glasses and do not point the laser beam at people or animals!

On Habré, articles about portable Dragon Lasers, such as Hulk, appeared only a couple of times. In this article I will tell you how you can make a laser that is not inferior in power to most models sold in this store.

First you need to prepare all the components:

• - a non-working (or working) DVD-RW drive with a write speed of 16x or higher;
• — capacitors 100 pF and 100 mF;
• — resistor 2-5 Ohm;
• — three AAA batteries;
• - soldering iron and wires;
• — collimator (or Chinese pointer);
• — steel LED lamp.

This minimum required to make a simple driver model. The driver is, in fact, a board that will output our laser diode to the required power. You should not connect the power source directly to the laser diode - it will break down. The laser diode must be powered with current, not voltage.

A collimator is, in fact, a module with a lens that reduces all radiation into a narrow beam. Ready-made collimators can be purchased at radio stores. These already have comfortable spot for installing a laser diode, and the cost is 200-500 rubles.

You can also use a collimator from a Chinese pointer, however, the laser diode will be difficult to attach, and the collimator body itself will most likely be made of metallized plastic. This means our diode will not cool well. But this is also possible. This option can be found at the end of the article.

First you need to get the laser diode itself. This is a very fragile and small part of our DVD-RW drive - be careful. A powerful red laser diode is located in the carriage of our drive. You can distinguish it from a weak one by its radiator bigger size than a conventional IR diode.

It is recommended to use an antistatic wrist strap as the laser diode is very sensitive to static voltage. If there is no bracelet, then you can wrap the diode leads with thin wire while it waits for installation in the case.

According to this scheme, you need to solder the driver.

Don't mix up the polarity! The laser diode will also fail instantly if the polarity of the supplied power is incorrect.

The diagram shows a 200 mF capacitor, however, for portability, 50-100 mF is quite enough.

Before installing the laser diode and assembling everything into the housing, check the functionality of the driver. Connect another laser diode (non-working or the second one from the drive) and measure the current with a multimeter. Depending on the speed characteristics, the current strength must be chosen correctly. For 16 models, 300-350mA is quite suitable. For the fastest 22x, you can even supply 500mA, but with a completely different driver, the manufacture of which I plan to describe in another article.

Looks terrible, but it works!

Aesthetics.

A laser assembled by weight can only be boasted of in front of the same crazy techno-maniacs, but for beauty and convenience it is better to assemble it in a convenient case. Here it’s better to choose for yourself how you like it. I mounted the entire circuit into a regular LED flashlight. Its dimensions do not exceed 10x4cm. However, I do not recommend carrying it with you: you never know what claims the relevant authorities may make. It is better to store it in a special case so that the sensitive lens does not become dusty.

This is an option with minimal costs— a collimator from a Chinese pointer is used:

Using a factory-made module will allow you to get the following results:

The laser beam is visible in the evening:

And, of course, in the dark:

Maybe.

Yes, in the following articles I want to tell and show how such lasers can be used. How to make much more powerful specimens, capable of cutting metal and wood, and not just lighting matches and melting plastic. How to make holograms and scan objects to create 3D Studio Max models. How to make powerful green or blue lasers. The scope of application of lasers is quite wide, and one article cannot do it here.

Attention! Don't forget about safety precautions! Lasers are not a toy! Take care of your eyes!

Each of us held a laser pointer in our hands. Despite the decorative use, it contains a real laser, assembled on the basis of a semiconductor diode. The same elements are installed on laser levels And .

The next popular product assembled on a semiconductor is your computer's DVD burner drive. It contains a more powerful laser diode with thermal destructive power.

This allows you to burn a layer of the disc, depositing tracks with digital information on it.

How does a semiconductor laser work?

Devices of this type are inexpensive to produce and the design is quite widespread. The principle of laser (semiconductor) diodes is based on the use classic p-n transition. This transition works the same as in conventional LEDs.

The difference is in the organization of radiation: LEDs emit “spontaneously”, while laser diodes emit “forced”.

The general principle of the formation of the so-called “population” of quantum radiation is fulfilled without mirrors. The edges of the crystal are mechanically chipped, providing a refractive effect at the ends, akin to a mirror surface.

For getting various types radiation, a “homojunction” can be used, when both semiconductors are the same, or a “heterojunction”, with different materials transition.


The laser diode itself is an accessible radio component. You can buy it in stores that sell radio components, or you can extract it from an old DVD-R (DVD-RW) drive.

Important! Even the simple laser used in light pointers can cause serious damage to the retina of the eye.

More powerful installations, with a burning beam, can deprive of vision or cause burns skin. Therefore, use extreme caution when working with such devices.

With such a diode at your disposal, you can easily make a powerful laser with your own hands. In fact, the product may be completely free, or it will cost you a ridiculous amount of money.

DIY laser from a DVD drive

First, you need to get the drive itself. It can be removed from an old computer or purchased at a flea market for a nominal cost.

A laser cutter is a unique device that is useful to have in everyone's garage modern man. Making a laser for cutting metal with your own hands is not difficult, the main thing is to follow simple rules. The power of such a device will be small, but there are ways to increase it using available devices. The functionality of a production machine that can do anything without embellishment cannot be achieved with a homemade product. But for household chores, this unit will come in handy. Let's look at how to build it.

Everything is ingeniously simple, so to create equipment that can cut beautiful patterns in strong steels, can be made from ordinary available materials. To make this you will definitely need an old laser pointer. In addition, you should stock up on:

1. A flashlight powered by rechargeable batteries.
2. An old DVD-ROM, from which we will need to remove the matrix with a laser drive.
3. Soldering iron and set of screwdrivers.

The first step will be to disassemble the drive of the old computer floppy drive. From there we should remove the device. Be careful not to damage the device itself. The drive of the disk drive must be a writer, and not just a reader, the point is in the structure of the device matrix. We won’t go into details now, but just use modern non-working models.

After this, you will definitely need to remove the red diode, which burns the disk while recording information to it. Just took a soldering iron and soldered the fastenings of this diode. Just don't throw it away under any circumstances. This is a sensitive element that can quickly deteriorate if damaged.

When assembling the laser cutter itself, consider the following:

1. Where is it better to install a red diode?
2. How will the elements of the entire system be powered?
3. How will the flows be distributed? electric current in detail.

Remember! The diode that will perform the burning requires much more electricity than the elements of the pointer.

This dilemma is easily resolved. The diode from the pointer is replaced by a red light from the drive. You should disassemble the pointer with the same care as the disk drive; damage to the connectors and holders will ruin your future with your own hands. Once you have done this, you can begin making the homemade case.

To do this you will need a flashlight and rechargeable batteries that will power laser cutter. Thanks to the flashlight, you will get a convenient and compact item that does not take up much space in your home. The key point equipment of such a housing is to choose the correct polarity. The protective glass from the former flashlight is removed so that it does not become an obstacle to the directed beam.

The next step is to power the diode itself. To do this, you need to connect it to the battery charging, observing the polarity. Finally, check:

• Reliable fixation of the device in clamps and clamps;
• Device polarity;
• Beam direction.

Fix any inaccuracies, and when everything is ready, you can congratulate yourself on a successfully completed job. The cutter is ready to use. The only thing you need to remember is that its power is much less than the power of its production counterpart, so it cannot handle too thick metal.

Carefully! The power of the device is enough to harm your health, so be careful when operating and try not to put your fingers under the beam.

Strengthening a homemade installation

To enhance the power and density of the beam, which is the main cutting element, you should prepare:

• 2 “conders” for 100 pF and mF;
• Resistance 2-5 ohms;
• 3 rechargeable batteries;
• Collimator.

The installation that you have already assembled can be strengthened to get enough power at home for any work with metal. When working on gain, remember that plugging your cutter directly into an outlet will be suicide for it, so you should make sure that the current first gets to the capacitors, and then goes to the batteries.

By adding resistors you can increase the power of your installation. To further increase the efficiency of your device, use a collimator that is mounted to focus the beam. This model is sold in any electrician store, and the cost ranges from 200 to 600 rubles, so it’s not difficult to buy it.

Then the assembly circuit is carried out in the same way as discussed above, only you need to wind an aluminum wire around the diode to remove static. After this, you have to measure the current strength, for which you take a multimeter. Both ends of the device are connected to the remaining diode and measured. Depending on your needs, you can adjust the readings from 300 mA to 500 mA.

Once the current calibration is completed, you can move on to aesthetically decorating your cutter. An old steel LED flashlight will do just fine for the case. It is compact and fits in your pocket. To prevent the lens from getting dirty, be sure to get a cover.

The finished cutter should be stored in a box or case. Dust or moisture should not get there, otherwise the device will be damaged.

What is the difference between ready-made models

The cost is main reason, why many craftsmen resort to making a laser cutter with their own hands. And the principle of operation is as follows:

1. Thanks to the creation of a directed laser beam, the metal is exposed
2. The powerful radiation causes the material to evaporate and escape under the force of the flow.
3. As a result, thanks to the small diameter of the laser beam, a high-quality cut of the workpiece is obtained.

The cutting depth will depend on the power of the components. If factory models are equipped with high-quality materials that provide sufficient depth. That homemade models are able to cope with cutting 1-3 cm.

Thanks to such laser systems, you can make unique patterns in the fence of a private house, components for decorating gates or fences. There are only 3 types of cutters:

1. Solid state. The operating principle is based on the use of special types of glass or crystals of LED equipment. These are low-cost production plants that are used in production.
2. Fiber. Thanks to the use of optical fiber, it is possible to obtain a powerful flow and sufficient cutting depth. They are analogues of solid-state models, but due to their capabilities and performance characteristics they are better than them. But also more expensive.
3. Gas. From the name it is clear that gas is used for operation. It can be nitrogen, helium, carbon dioxide. The efficiency of such devices is 20% higher than all previous ones. They are used for cutting and welding polymers, rubber, glass and even metal with a very high level of thermal conductivity.

In everyday life without special costs you can only get a solid-state laser cutter, but its power with proper amplification, which was discussed above, is enough to perform household work. Now you have knowledge about making such a device, and then just act and try.

Do you have experience in developing a DIY metal laser cutter? Share with readers by leaving a comment under this article!

When in household there is a need to cut a metal sheet, then you can’t do without a laser cutter, assembled with your own hands.

Second life for simple things

A home craftsman will always find a use even for things that have become unusable. So, an old laser pointer can find a second life and turn into a laser cutter. In order to bring this idea to life, you will need:

1. Laser pointer.
2. Flashlight.
3. Batteries (it is better to take rechargeable ones).
4. CD/DVD-RW recorder with a drive with a working laser.
5. Soldering iron.
6. Screwdrivers included.

Work begins by removing the laser cutter from the drive. This is painstaking work that requires maximum attention. When removing the top fastener, you may come across a carriage with a built-in laser. It can move in two directions. The carriage must be removed with extreme care and all detachable devices and screws must be removed carefully. Next, you need to remove the red diode that performs the burning. This work can be done using a soldering iron. It should be noted that this important detail requires increased attention. It is not recommended to shake or drop it.

To increase the power of the laser cutter in the prepared pointer, it is necessary to replace the “native” diode with the one removed from the recorder.

The pointer should be disassembled sequentially and carefully. It unwinds and splits into pieces. The part that requires replacement is located at the top. If it is difficult to remove it, then you can help yourself with a knife, slightly shaking the pointer. A new one is installed in place of the original diode. You can secure it with glue.

The next stage of work is the construction of a new building. This is where an old flashlight comes in handy. Thanks to it, the new laser will be convenient to use and connect to power. The improved end part of the pointer is installed in the flashlight body. Then power is connected from the batteries to the diode. When connecting, it is very important to set the polarity correctly. Before assembling the flashlight, you need to remove the glass and the remaining parts of the pointer so that nothing interferes with the direct path of the laser beam.

Before using the assembled unit with your own hands, you need to check again whether the laser is firmly fixed and level, and whether the polarity of the wires is connected correctly.

If everything is done correctly, the unit can be used. It will be difficult to work on metal, since the device has little power, but it is quite possible to burn through paper, polyethylene or something similar.

Return to contents

Improved model

A more powerful homemade laser cutter can be made. To work you need to prepare:

1. CD/DVD-RW recorder (non-working model can be used).
2. Resistors 2-5 Ohm.
3. Batteries.
4. Capacitors 100 pF and 100 mF.
5. The wire.
6. Soldering iron.
7. Collimator.
8. LED flashlight in a steel housing.

A driver is assembled from these components, which will provide the required power to the cutter through the board. It should be remembered that the current source is not directly connected to the diode. Otherwise, it will become completely unusable. Power can only be connected through a ballast resistor.

The body with the lens acts as a collimator. It is she who will collect the rays into a single beam. This part can be purchased at a specialty store. The good part is that it has a socket for mounting a laser diode.

This laser is manufactured in the same way as the previous model. During work, it is necessary to use antistatic wristbands to remove static voltage from the laser diode. If it is not possible to purchase such bracelets, a thin wire can be used and wound around a diode. Then you can proceed to assembling the driver.

It is possible to create a homemade building level, when creating lighting effects when decorating a home disco, for an additional rear signal for cars, motorcycles, bicycles, etc.

A laser diode is a semiconductor crystal made in the form of a thin rectangular plate. The beam passes through a collecting lens and represents a thin line; when it intersects with the surface, we see a point. To obtain a visible line, you can install a cylindrical lens in front of the laser beam. The refracted ray will look like a fan.

I made it from a 5mW laser, 3V supply voltage from AliExpress. Despite the low power of the laser emitter, it is necessary to observe basic safety precautions not to direct the beam into the eyes.

Watch the entire manufacturing process in the video:

List of tools and materials
-laser emitter 5mW, 3V (link to laser)
-screwdriver; scissors;
- soldering iron;
-cambric; foil textolite;
- two 1.5V batteries;
- connecting wires; battery compartment housing with headlamp power button;
-5 Ohm resistor;
-LED with a transparent bulb;
- strip of tin.

Step one. Making a laser board.