3d Laser Engraving

[Zachary Buckholz]

I know this thread is old, but I figured it was the most appropriate place to ask. Can anyone provide any insight, knowledge, education, or a simple link to examples on how I could use my epilog zing 40w to cut and raster an airplace wing in 3d?

I would like to put Styrofoam in the machine and have it shape the top of the wing.

Thanks
Zach

[Dan Hintz]

To get the accuracy you'll need for an airfoil surface, you'll need to do a lot of experimenting with power. I suggest a CNC for such an operation as it will be precise on depth at every point and not subject to material differences.

[David Fairfield]

I think it can be done, but Dan is right, you'd need to experiment and the material density might be variable.

You can take a trial and error approach or you can be scientific about it and make a greyscale, raster it in 3d in the material you plan on using, take depth measurements with a caliper and plot those measurements on the wing diagram.

IMHO 3d lasering is seriously underutilized and underestimated. Excellent results are possible.

Dave

[Lee DeRaud]

To get the accuracy you'll need for an airfoil surface, you'll need to do a lot of experimenting with power. I suggest a CNC for such an operation as it will be precise on depth at every point and not subject to material differences.

What he said. I'm reminded of the "Dirty Jobs" episode where Mike Rowe worked in a surfboard factory.

I think the key words for this concept are "can" and "possible", rather than "good" or "easy". The possibilities that come to mind are:
1. it will make a huge mess,
2. it will take forever,
3. it will do a really crappy job, or
4. some horrific version of "all of the above".

[David Fairfield]

Never stopped me from trying!

[Rodne Gold]

You will struggle with styrofoam as the laser will not raster it well at all you will have uncontrolled melting. Will cut it fine tho.
Try it with Balsa , if you really must.
Bear in mind that your 2" lens has about 4mm effective focus , so you really wont get a great variance in shape for an aerofoil unless its a very small one.
You could of course make an excellent aerofoil or wing if you cut its sections from tip to end and glued em all together.

[Lee DeRaud]

Try it with Balsa , if you really must.
[snip]
You could of course make an excellent aerofoil or wing if you cut its sections from tip to end and glued em all together.

First use of a laser I ever saw "live" was cutting balsa ribs for a model sailplane wing.

[Frank Corker]

I think the key words for this concept are "can" and "possible", rather than "good" or "easy". The possibilities that come to mind are:
1. it will make a huge mess,
2. it will take forever,
3. it will do a really crappy job, or
4. some horrific version of "all of the above".

I think this one hit this discussion right bang slap in the middle!