About a year ago, I purchased a basic blue-diode laser engraver for engraving cutting boards. While the machine has been handy for occasional use, I’ve found myself using it less than expected due to some concerns around safety of the machine. So, I decided it was time to address those issues and build a custom cabinet to make the engraver safer and more functional.
Follow along as I walk through the process of creating a cabinet that enhances both safety and workflow for the laser engraver!
The Problem: Safety Concerns Holding Me Back
One of the primary reasons I wasn't using the engraver as much was the lack of a proper enclosure. Without any sort of enclosure, I was concerned about potential hazards like laser exposure, fumes, and dust. Couple on to that the fact that I've got my laser setup in the shared office space here at our house, so in order to help me use the engraver more, a solution needs to be thought out.
The Solution: A Custom-Built Cabinet
To solve these problems, I decided to design a cabinet that would house the laser engraver securely while addressing my safety concerns. My goals for the cabinet were:
Enclosing the Laser: Having a cabinet would prevent accidental exposure to the laser beam, keeping the area safer while the laser in use
Dust and Fume Control: By adding a port for dedicated dust extraction, as well as a dedicated space for the dust extractor, I could work with the engraver without worrying about harmful smoke and fumes enveloping the space .
Simplistic Design: Again, keeping with my methods for most shop-type furniture, I wanted to keep the cabinet simple yet functional for the task at hand. Also, leaving the space above the machine open allowed for more working space for my 3D printer to be stored as well.
The Build
Keeping with simplicity on this build, I chose to make the entire cabinet from plywood. After breaking down all the rough components, I cut out things like the window openings and dust extractor port using the jigsaw. For assembly, an assortment of pocket hole screws, glue and brad nails helped me bring everything together.
The "glass" on the cabinet is actually pieces of acrylic that I cut down and covered with green transparent film to allow me to see into the cabinet while the machine is working. Now before people start going off, yes I have seen now that I should have used a different color and type of film for this application. The proper safety technique calls for an orange tinted screen that is specifically called out as laser rated. At some point in the future I'll go back to fix this mistake, but from what I can tell for now, this is better than nothing.
The Result: A Safer, More Functional Machine
With the new cabinet, I feel much more comfortable using the laser engraver. The safety concerns have mostly been addressed, and having a little extra working space on top of the machine isn't too bad either! If you're struggling with similar issues, consider the possibilty that maybe building something new could help improve your setup!
'Til next time!
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