How hard would it be to take an inkjet printer, remove the inkjet, and put in a laser diode so that I can cut intricate designs like pic related into paper?
I'm using a 100mW blue laser if that changes anything.
Also will dump stencils to keep the thread alive
>>916291
get a plotter
they aren't that expensive
and they use a classic blade and not a laser
>>916291
hmm. A thought that comes to mind is before you gut the inkjet printer, maybe try an acidic ink to etch the design into the paper. may not get edges that are as crisp?
And here's a similar project:
http://www.instructables.com/id/Laser-cutter-start-slicing-stuff-for-under-50-dol/
I think all you would need to do is disconnect the stepper motors, and connect them to a Reprap/Ramps type arduino device. You wouldn't need to unscrew more than you'd need to reach the motor wires. You would need to know how many teeth the gears all have and the arrangement of gears so you can calculate how many mm 1 turn of the motor will give you. Maybe it could be worked out through trial and error, but it's best to know the gears.
Consult with /3dpg/ here on /diy/ or google search it.
I don't know much about lasers but I'd be afraid the 100mW laser would damage the printer rollers or something. You'd also need some way to fix the laser in place. Again, I don't know how fine tuned you would need to make this, but if got high enough tollerances then you can just hot glue it or use some instamorph plastic to mold a housing with your hands and screw it in place. Just keep in mind adding weight will make will put more stress on the motors and decrease accuracy.
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On an older model not to hard. Easiest of you just use the chassis and don't use those motors/controllers, but using their whole setup might be easier for some people with driver programming chops.
The tiny laser will be more of a problem. You'll have to move it slow, because of the kow lower. You'll need heat sink and fan to keept it cool, anx need to give it frequent breaks, because these aren't designed for long continuous use at high power. Even if it doesn't cook the laser (and with a heatsink it shouldn't), you may see sporadic dips in power from running continuously for too long. Probably doesn't hurt the laser, but it will make your workpeice look bad.
>>916297
>dont /diy!!!!
>buy instead!!!!!!
Meanwhile you can get tons of used printers of all kinds at thrift stores, Salvation Army, etc for super cheap.
>>916331
a new one, width 720mm lenght several meters 400€
>>916291
I fitted a reprap with a 450mW laser head at one point. As suggested, you have to go really slow but it worked fine. I shelved it largely to avoid accidental laser eye surgery ... Please be careful.
>>916297
>get a plotter
>Not that expensive!
what are you some rich kid that thinks $500 isn't expensive?
>>916348
>calls people buyfags
>suggests buying used printers
>>916633
>not severing your umbilical cord in the womb and assembling yourself out of the free floating nutrients like gawd intended
>>916291
You can spend dozens upon dozens of hours fucking around with some custom firmware to make the laser pulse only on black while the head moves back and forth... and making sure the speed is right... then another few hours adjusting your stencil images so that only the cut areas appear as black. (Otherwise you're just burning the fuck out of things.)
Or you can spend a quarter of that time sucking dicks for $5 each and just buy something that does what you want. (As long as you sucked them yourself these faggots who hate making intelligent purchases should be OK with it.)
You want a plotter or a vinyl cutter. You can pick up small desktop models for around $100.
Alternately, check Instructables. An old inkjet would better be used for parts when you tear it apart for rails and belts to make an arduino-powered laser engraver. Those can also cut paper real nice.
>>916838
fucking exactly
>hurr buy fag shills
If you want to make stencils, then buy a fucking desktop plotter for $100-250
if you want to make CNC and lasers, change your hobby to CNC/lasers
focus man, fuck. do you want tools for your hobby or do you want a new hobby?
>how hard would it be
>if that changes anything
you sound unsure. the fact that you are asking means you should just buy a plotter. first thing you should have done was research the fuck out of it theres a million examples online. my point is if you want stencils buy the machine
if you want to fuck around then do this printer thing
i didnt want to fuck around with ghetto niggin somthing up. i wanted to do stencils/stickers so i just bought one.$250. Saved me so much time and now if i want something, this shit is turn key easy.
also, make your own stencils. 90% of the time
4chan stencils a shit
Top kek, it's my first and most likely last time here and I just wanted to tell you guys, that you sound mad as fuck. Clicked thumbnail on the main page because of Cameo (Curiofag here).
Also
>buyfag
Nice meme
>>917239
Angry people on 4chan? The hell you say!
