Laser Engraver Kickstarter "Mr Carve".

[peteb2]

This just popped up on my Facebook page & i thought yeah could use that, great i have the need... So then i did the big read-up, videos watched & everything studied and then began the wavering of feelings against supporting it. Weirdly in one part of a vid i saw a flash frame of a label being etched: "Mr Crave" (not Mr Carve).... A part of me wants to really support the actual folks responsible for these kinds of technology because they are creating bloody good stuff but my concern is the machine is somewhat cobbled to what it can do.

Then on the pledge listing i notice the fine-print listing for each "Mr Carve M1" the received bundle consists of "Includes": a Mr Crave M1.

OK it might be a typo but, i'm a bloke full of suspicion these days (plus a bit of a nit-picking stinker apparently) but i have to say there's been no other comment.

Hmm, i'll sit on the fence for now... tinyurl.com/5e472wbp

[AlfBaz]

hmm I just glanced at the link you posted and in the list of stuff you get for roughly 1500 bucks there's a usb cable, power cord and ruler.
Mentioning such frivolous items brings up red flags for me immediately

[PlainName]

What is dodgy to me is the total lack of safety shown in the videos. High power laser straight onto shiny metal as you're working next to it with zero protection, not even goggles? Hmmm.

[thm_w]

What is dodgy to me is the total lack of safety shown in the videos. High power laser straight onto shiny metal as you're working next to it with zero protection, not even goggles? Hmmm.

They are claiming its safe, which makes no sense to me.

M1 applies a 1064nm wavelength infrared pulse laser with ultra-strong etching capabilities. The electro-optic modulator (EOM) inside the laser head transforms the 2W continuous laser into a 15kw infrared pulse laser, which transmits 25000 frequencies for highly effective hard surface engraving.

Your safety is always our first priority. The M1 laser doesn’t work on human skin so it is impossible for any injury during the engraving process. However, we recommend wearing protective goggles for maximum safety. The rated power will automatically decrease after continuously working for 5 hours to prevent overheating. With M1, you are free to engrave, knowing you’re safe!

WTF, anyone know if this is even possible?

It says NY, but then a photo further down shows a workspace presumably in China. and they throw in those usual garbage $2 green laser glasses.

[PlainName]

According to Wikipedia 1064nm is near-IR and the issues for eyes would be "cataract, retinal burn". For skin, either the laser goes straight through unimpeded (thus not a problem) or it doesn't, and all the energy is transferred to whatever is stopping it. So that would be metal-vaporizing power etching skin.

If they are claiming an impossibility of injury, perhaps they'd be so kind as to demonstrate by shoving their hand under the beam as it does its stuff.

[Haenk]

A very nice product to harm yourself.
I wonder why the EU does not allow the import.

[beanflying]

What do you want or envisage engraving on?

Even 2W of Fiber Laser isn't much if you want to play on metal. Limited Bed size is maybe an issue.

Keystone Correction how is it and any fringing near the edges due to cheap optics pushed to their limits?

What software if any? Locked to Proprietary only, or compatibility with what, even worse Proprietary Cloud only or shudder app based 

Lack of guards can be sorted without to much issue but left alone it is an issue.

For a bit of background watch a few of Russ's videos on a 20W Laser to see what you can and cannot do. Personally I wouldn't put my $ anywhere near the project until you get answers to some or better yet all of the above and even then I would likely pass.

If all you want to do is engrave on metal there is CO2 options for way less using products like Cermark or similar.