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Hardware Hacking

Grad Student Invents Cheap Laser Cutter 137

An anonymous reader writes "Peter Jansen, a PhD student and member of the RepRap community, has constructed a working prototype of an inexpensive table-top laser cutter built out of old CD/DVD drives as an offshoot of his efforts to design an under $200 open-source Selective Laser Sintering (SLS) 3D printer. Where traditional laser cutters use powerful, fixed-focus beams, this new technique dynamically adjusts the focal point of the laser using a reciprocating motion similar to a reciprocating saw, allowing a far less powerful and inexpensive laser diode to be used. The technique is currently limited to cutting black materials to a depth of only a few millimeters, but should still be useful and enabling for Makers and other crafters. The end-goal is to create a hybrid inexpensive 3D printer that can be easily reconfigured for 2D laser cutting, providing powerful making tools to the desktop."

Comment Re:Zapp Brannigan's Reporting Strategy (Score -1) 588

Very similar to my experience with that type of store. I paid cash for next day delivery of an in-stock, on-the-shelf item there, and was guaranteed a specific delivery time. I wasn't able to take it home with me because it was too big to fit into my car, hence the delivery. On delivery day, a no-show. Called the store, got nowhere. Went to the store, and found the true story: The item was resold to another customer some 30 minutes after I had paid for it and left for home. Long story short, it took me threatening to call the police about theft before they would refund my cash money. I had paid them over $600 for that item, and they were telling me I had to wait another two weeks for delivery -or- wait 30 days for the refund check from the corporate HQ. I gave the store manager a choice: my money back now, or he would get to find out how tight handcuffs are. As I explained to him, $600 makes this a felony...

Comment New characters maybe? (Score -1) 464

Somehow, they'll try to add Jar Jar Binks as a comic relief alien. You know, as a formerly bad alien, who's very inept and finds these humans fascinating, even though they're really fugly. And at the end of the movie, he's hailed by all as one of the heroes, despite the fact that he arrived with the invaders and was a part of their world for many years. Only then can we tell the perpetrators of this (I will not call it a movie) abomination.

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