Got a few spare DVD drives? You can use the laser from those drives to make a tiny laser engraver. Thingiverse member Isolt did just that, then made it safer and better looking with 3D printed parts.
The laser diode needs to be from a DVD drive that writes to discs, because the laser from a read-only drive isn’t powerful enough to engrave. The engraver’s other main electronic parts include an Arduino Nano and a laser housing with a glass lens. Isolt’s 3D printed parts are the enclosure, which has the smallest roller door I’ve ever seen.
Head to Isolt’s Thingiverse page for his instructions and 3D files. He borrowed a lot from this guide by Instructables member Groover, so that one’s worth checking out as well.
[via Geeky Gadgets]
