*REAL* Laser Printer
 

PC Magazine just did a nice review of a 25 watt laser engraver. The laser engraver hooks up as a USB 'printer' and can cut, engrave, and score plastic, wood, leather, etc. It allows the user to program custom materials like chocolate bars, and reads grayscale to adjust depth.

Black is for engrave, red is for cut, and blue is for score. Since the driver is configured like a printer, you could use Microsoft Word or almost any other text or graphic program.

If I had $10,000 in 'mad money' lying around, I'd grab one.

The Ultimate Laser Printer

Versalaser Product Page

*wipes away the drool*
 

I want one. Would never have to buy another christmas present. (sp?)

OMG, I want two.:eek:

I'll keep my eyes peeled for a doodads post of 2 laser printers.

Oh my gods. I SOOO need one of these.

(it's going onto the "when I win the powerball" list of things to get).

When Dave gets one he'll let us all us it, won't he?:D

It could get expensive as far as paper is concerned, but I could see this used in stereolithography. You'd need convert your cad/cam shape into paper thin sections. You start with the bottom section of your shape, which is traced out, and also includes a grid cut pattern to aid in removing the shape when finished. Next a sheet is glued on top, and the process is started over again. You'd continue until the last, top section is completed, them remove the grid cut pattern.

Layer Object Manufacturing (LOM).

LOM is pretty cool. I've seen car engines and other parts mocked up using it.

I could see a business model for one of those cart-size places in the malls.

Cut/engrave our design, or cut/engrave one of your own, or one of the designs shared on the web site.

Cut/engrave one of our surfaces, or cut/engrave one of your own.

Now, for about $100,000 in initial investment money, I could take this idea and develop it into a model for franchising, or at least a prototype business for a second round of investment in VC-land.

Who's with me? Aw cmon.

If you click around the Versalaser product pages they list a whole bunch of optional stuff that sounds like they may be more of a necessity than option. :confused:

Rich people are stupid.
 

I like the bit in the article about "remarkably bad ideas, like engraving plastic butane lighters".