Got my April 2015 NMRA Magazine and inside the front cover on the first page is a new ad from Micromark offering the Microlux LaserKnife 2525. Comes with software, tech support, and an online parts library. Requires CorelDraw v. 11 or higher. Very neat stuff, if you have just under 2 grand to drop on it. I don't right now, but it is something to aspire to and could certainly revolutionize how we think of kits. In the future, there may be software versions and it's possible those will be the only form a kit may come in. But that's progress and I personally look forward to it.
What do you think about this new machine?
Note: If you want to worry over the price, please take it over here:
http://cs.trains.com/mrr/f/88/t/245773.aspx
This discussion is about the technology and ideas people have about using this machine and the ones that will follow.
Mike Lehman
Urbana, IL
When Apple introduced affordable desk top publishing in1985, the printer cost about $2,000 in 1985 dollars. The price dropped since.
$2K would be low for light industrial work if they are rugged enough. A small time laser-cut kit company might do things in house. It's also cheap enough for big bugget hobbiests. My price point is $500, if it could be lined up to cut printed models to perfect form. Yes, it can be slow.
I think it's neat, but.... Better, more important things take my money right now....
Now, if I happen to be given an extra couple thousand and have nothing better to get....
So, along those lines, if anyone would like to supply one for me to "test for them"........
Ricky W.
HO scale Proto-freelancer.
My Railroad rules:
1: It's my railroad, my rules.
2: It's for having fun and enjoyment.
3: Any objections, consult above rules.
Coreldraw seems like an odd choice for the drawing format. Wonder why that's the one they picked.
Hello All,
I'm at a wait and see mode (and saving-up mode).
Can you imagine the possibilities of 3-D printing and a Laser knife?
Hope this helps.
"Uhh...I didn’t know it was 'impossible' I just made it work...sorry"
Modeling BNSF and Milwaukee Road in SW Wisconsin
LensCapOn$2K would be low for light industrial work if they are rugged enough.
might make sense for a club to buy.
greg - Philadelphia & Reading / Reading
Now that I've had more time to think about, I wonder how long it would take to recoup the costs selling small kits on ebay.
NittanyLionI wonder how long it would take to recoup the costs selling small kits on ebay.
One problem with this machine is that it has a fairly small cutting area--less than 10 inches per side.
I've seen people build DIY cutters using Blu-Ray lasers and parts from old scanners and printers. But I don't think they're capable of cutting much more than cardstock, although they could engrave patterns into thicker materials.
Here's a Kickstarter campaign for a cutter kit. I'm not sure what their final price will be, but they're offering early bird specials for as low as $550.
https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/mrbeam/mr-beam-a-portable-laser-cutter-and-engraver-kit
Steve S
Hrm, ten inches is pretty small.
I figure the hard part is actually designing the structure or whatever it is you're making for yourself, so if it turns out good...why not start running a few more and selling them? 'Tis but a musing.
I saw this and thought it would be a great 'tool' when the price comes down about 25% of what it is now (or more!). I use CorelDraw for making my sign and decal artwork and I can see why they would want this type of program; it is a vector based software, that is it uses solid lines rather than a bunch of dots as in a raster software like PhotoShop. I can see making my own laser kits or special parts for my HO layout. I am amazed at how fast technology has moved in the past 5 years, with 3-D printers and CNC routers for the home hobbiest, and now laser cutters. As with all of these 'tools', the operator needs to learn how to design parts on a computer and visualize how they will go together and what tolerances are needed for proper 'fit and function'. I hope I live long enough to be able to afford and use some of these 'toys'/'tools'.
-Bob
Life is what happens while you are making other plans!
This is a technology I would definitely buy into. Some years ago I worked for an aerospace co that utilized...extensively, both yag and HeNe lasers on the industrial level to repair jet engine blades and vanes. They were used between 3 and 6 KW depending on the the material being used/worked on...mostly superalloys. I had so often imagined...at the time how lasers could be used in the hobby. Looks like I'll be finding out.
In regard to Coreldraw. I've personally preferred it to Photoshop CS. Coreldraw in doing followup artwork in CGI is far easier...a little more intuative. Photoshop...especially if you are new to it...can be daunting to learn. I'm hoping the driving software will eventually be expanded to Gimp and Inkscape, which are even easier to learn.
I'm looking forward to any developments with this equipment and technology in our hobby.
Mark H
Modeling in HO...Reading and Conrail together in an alternate history.
And the MACHINE continues to arise! All hail, MACHINE!!!
NP 2626 "Northern Pacific, really terrific"
Northern Pacific Railway Historical Association: http://www.nprha.org/
To be replaced with a new skill - designing and drawing in 3D. No easy task.
Only part missing is an affordable 3D scanner - build one pilot model, scan it, and make 100 copies with the 3D printer.
--Randy
Modeling the Reading Railroad in the 1950's
Visit my web site at www.readingeastpenn.com for construction updates, DCC Info, and more.
NittanyLion Coreldraw seems like an odd choice for the drawing format. Wonder why that's the one they picked.
it seems to be a standard software package for a lot of these machines. A friend bought a large table top cutter and it has drivers for CorelDraw and AutoCAD. CorelDraw is much more affordable and does not have the vertical learning curve of AutoCAD.
Found this on Ebay thru another Google search but don't know how good the accuracy is. Good price thought; $599.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/high-speed-co2-laser-cnc-router-engraving-cutting-equipment-40w-cutter-engraver-/191528154704
Edit: Just noticed shipping cost: $210.00??
Milepost 266.2 NittanyLion Coreldraw seems like an odd choice for the drawing format. Wonder why that's the one they picked. it seems to be a standard software package for a lot of these machines. A friend bought a large table top cutter and it has drivers for CorelDraw and AutoCAD. CorelDraw is much more affordable and does not have the vertical learning curve of AutoCAD.
Coreldraw, I thought, ended Mac support with version 10. That's one of the reasons it seems odd. Plus it's just after a vector format, correct? Makes no Illustrator support unusual in my eyes.
Thanks for all the interesting comments.
I suspect the choice of CorelDRAW balances several issues. Good functionality, a reasonably paced learning curve, technical aspects in conjunction with the hardware, and cost. The fact that it's used by other for essentially the same purposes suggests they're likely made a good choice, although I'm not familiar with Corel. And I doubt the hardware is abolutely wedded to the software. Using some different is likely well within the realm of possibility. But if you like hacking, then there's no great concern. If not, then you're just like the rest of us, we'll work with what's brung to the table.
I'm in HO, so I don't have any real concerns about a 10" table capacity. Sure there are a few things that may need a bigget formar, but I'll bet this cover most bases. And there's always next year's improved model, where adding higher capacity is low-hanging fruit to freshen the product. Patience here will likely be rewarded.
I really like the idea of designing, burning and offering kits. This could revolunize those model specific prototypes, historical group merchandise offerings, and many aspects of how we go about building stuff. Make no mistake. There will be skills developed and used with this laser. You don't just push the button on the screen to make something with this. You acquire the skills to make it so. That's good for the hobby.
I see no one asked how long the laser tube lasts. Usaully 1000 to 1500 before it needs replacement for a 40 watt unit. Then, does Micro Mark sell replacememnt tubes? How hard is it to replace the tube and realign it? All questions that should be answered before I'd buy one.
The software I don't care for. What's wrong with using a free cad program such as Drftsight? Why does it have to be CoarlDraw. DraftSight is a vector program. Send a DXF file out to a CAM program to get your G-codes and you're all set.
Here's a laser I'm looking at. http://fslaser.com/products/lasers/hobby-lasers/newhobby
Ya, I have a large model buget.
New York, Vermont & Northern Rwy. - Route of the Black Diamonds
protolancer(at)kingstonemodelworks(dot)com
I use mostly plastic for my models so a laser isn't the right tool for me; I think lasers can't (or shouldn't) burn plastic. A small 5 axis mill would be a better choice for me, but that isn't practical either (a good one is probably 10,000...used); tolerances in the 0.0002 range is needed to produce smooth curving surfaces. If we could produce rough 'stock' with a 3D Printer, then finish it off with a CNC Milling machine, I'd be for it...but then that could turn into a hobby (or job) all its own.
I've done ok with glue, files and an Xacto so far; I program CNC machines and can produce 3D models in several CAD programs for work...I build models for fun. It would be great to make exactly what I want, exactly when I want but anticipation and desire keep the hobby interesting. If I didn't want an interesting and challenging hobby, I'd pay a layout maker to do all that 'fun' stuff for me (no offense to the layout makers or their clients).
Model Railroading is FUN! (even the hard or frustrating aspects)
http://delray1967.shutterfly.com/pictures/5
SEMI Free-Mo@groups.io
delray,
Everyone has their favoritie tools, techniques, and materials, so personal prefernces are important.
Micromark indicates that cutting PVC is definitely not recommended because of "hazardous smoke." However, it is rated to cut acrylic up to 3/32" in a single pass, up to 1/4" in multiple passes. For styrene, up to 1/8", while noting "for most plastics, we recommend multiple passes at high speed and low power."
rrinker To be replaced with a new skill - designing and drawing in 3D. No easy task. Only part missing is an affordable 3D scanner - build one pilot model, scan it, and make 100 copies with the 3D printer. --Randy
I have been exposed to Auto Cad and yes, your right learning CAD is not an easy task. Tally in the fact I have no interest in learning it and that I think I know where the fun in this hobby is for myself and it's simply not where I am heading!
delray1967A small 5 axis mill would be a better choice for me,
For cutting out shapes from styrene sheet, you only need 3 axes.
NittanyLionCoreldraw seems like an odd choice for the drawing format.
I agree. Considering that there are free programs out there (like Inkscape or FreeCAD) that export in DXF and STL, it's a shame they limit it to a commercial program's format.
NP2626Hey, CNC eliminated good paying, highly skilled tool and die maker jobs!
Which is like arguing that the computer industry has been bad for the econcomy because it destroyed the jobs of those people who manufactured typewriters.
mlehman delray, Everyone has their favoritie tools, techniques, and materials, so personal prefernces are important. Micromark indicates that cutting PVC is definitely not recommended because of "hazardous smoke." However, it is rated to cut acrylic up to 3/32" in a single pass, up to 1/4" in multiple passes. For styrene, up to 1/8", while noting "for most plastics, we recommend multiple passes at high speed and low power."
I recently bought a channel marker buoy kit and it had laser cut styrene parts which had a brown 'burnt' coating around the 'cut' marks. I had to clean this off before solvent welding the parts, but it reminded me of the possible 'side effects' of cutting plastics. I don't know how this kit was made; single pass or multiple pass, other than the fact that it did produce smoke as a result.
I'd expect most things other than metal smoke when the laser cuts them. This seems to have been anticipated with this laser, as it includes an exhaust fan and duct to remove it. I presume this means you could hook it up and use the dryer vent or other means to deal with taking it outside.
Steven S NP2626 Hey, CNC eliminated good paying, highly skilled tool and die maker jobs! Which is like arguing that the computer industry has been bad for the econcomy because it destroyed the jobs of those people who manufactured typewriters. Steve S
NP2626 Hey, CNC eliminated good paying, highly skilled tool and die maker jobs!
So, thanks for putting in a day’s work, Steve!
One potential problem area I see is, MicroMark has marketed several rather expensive machine tools in the past under their MicroLux brand, and then suddenly dropped them from their catalog. Does that mean you can no longer get replacement parts or support?
I suppose it's like any other product. If sales are slow, then there may not be more. I suspect you're talking machine tools? In a sense, the laser is a bet on a new, emerging technology, rather than a fancified version of an old, rather long in tooth in terms of current interest.
In another sense, it's a shot at remaining relevant. I'm fairly certain there's not really an expanding market for a mill or lathe, no matter how computerized and gee whiz it might be. Yes, still people interested, but if you bring in 1,000 of these this month, you might follow on with an order for 2,500 six months from now (numbers pulled out of thin air here for the sake of making a point, not because I have any insights in this specific item.)
That said, I hear NP2626. Computers seem to be associated with a lot of bad things in life, as well as good. I've had the same arm's length relationship with them. But I've also been involved in empowering people through using computers (which we won't go into here for it's obvious political content when discussed in detail) from the local to the international level. Computers others control can lead to mixed results in your life. Computers you mostly control (because it's hard to say how much control any of us have over these darn things) can be very good things, allowing you to achieve stuff you could only dream of years ago. One good current example of doing this is the Maker movement.
Thus, in my mind, this laser is a step toward putting mo, betta tools in the hands of us regular folks. It's up to us whether or not this is a net bnenefit. But it will also make possible some really cool kit building, most of all, because if you go to the trouble of making one and documenting it properly to burn it, then you can make multiple copies for yourself or others. The possibilities at a time when some see crisis in how RTR is taking over everything may even be revolutionary, bringing all those small factories and businesses back from wherever those jobs were exported to and putting them in the hands of hobbyiests eager to put those tools to work.