GoKawiilA tech tinkerer has shared the full plans and resources necessary to build a compact desktop laser engraver. All the resources are available on GitHub, including the components list, 3D printer files, firmware, drivers, and software. Moreover, project creator Elias55745 is selling a fully assembled ‘mini laser printer’ created using these plans for just $64. They also intend to sell everything you need as a kit for self-assembly. However, the store is undergoing maintenance at the time of writing, so the shopping cart isn’t working, and you may see prices in Yen (I did).
This isn’t a powerful laser engraver with just a 250mW beam at your disposal for marking and cutting duties. The retail page shares a handful of examples of simple sketches burned onto various surfaces that look like art paper and leather. According to the GitHub parts list, the laser head is good for wood, leather, or paper – but not metal – and printing dark objects works best. The samples look like simple line art.
With any laser, one must pay attention to both electrical and eye safety. Protective green goggles are on the parts list, but even wearing these, you should never look directly at the active laser.
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In addition to the 5V 250mW laser head, other key components of this cute design are the ATmega328 microcontroller, to which you will need to flash Elias55745’s firmware (unless you buy the assembled or kit model).
The micro stepper motor, which precisely positions the laser head in its 50mm x 50mm bed frame, can be sourced new. However, Elias55745 recommends salvaging this component from a Samsung optical disc drive. There is also a cooling fan and 12V power pack among the major component purchases.
To make the mini-laser printer, there are several more maker-style steps required. Firstly, a 3D printer will be useful for various chassis parts. A custom PCB is also required (source files provided), which you will have to fit with the requisite components and interface with the microcontroller.
You will be outputting to this laser via the well-known open-source G-Code laser control GRBL firmware. For convenience, Elias55745 has bundled LaserGRBL software onto their GitHub.
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I’ve used some of the best laser cutters and engravers from both ends of the spectrum, from the Sculpfun S9 to the xTool P3. But even the ~$250 Sculpfun is far, far more capable than the ‘mini-laser printer’ from Elias55745. That isn’t the extreme cheap end, either, as there are plenty of models under $100. For makers, the pinnacle of price/performance isn’t usually the point, though. Furthermore, you can proudly make, modify, and assemble this tiny open-source desktop laser to meet your own particular purposes.
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