• Question: i have a project which is a laser which makes cutting things more efficient than using a hacksaw or a knife but there is a problem. i don't know what i will need to create this? please help me.

    Asked by skizza09 to Adam, Geoff, Rob, Sheila, Suzie on 22 Mar 2011 in Categories: .
    • Photo: Adam Tuff

      Adam Tuff answered on 21 Mar 2011:

      You’ll need to buy a very high power laser, and you’ll need to have a very big power supply to power it! You will also need a very good computer system to guide your laser (Computer aided design).

    • Photo: Suzie Sheehy

      Suzie Sheehy answered on 21 Mar 2011:

      Hi Skizza,
      Great idea for a project but sorry to say it’s already been done!
      http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Laser_cutting

      The issue here though is that you need a pretty powerful laser and there are some big issues around safety with that (I’m not sure your school would let you!)

      If you’re interested in lasers, there’s a REALLY powerful one at the lab that I work at (Rutherford Appleton Lab) called Vulcan – you can visit it with your school I think!

      Lasers are pretty expensive as well… maybe you could think of something interesting you could do with a cheaper, less powerful laser (like a good laser pointer) that would be interesting?

    • Photo: Robert Simpson

      Robert Simpson answered on 22 Mar 2011:

      Such lasers exist, but are very powerful and quite dangerous. You can walk into a shop and buy a laser pointer that will pop balloons though.

    • Photo: Sheila Kanani

      Sheila Kanani answered on 22 Mar 2011:

      I like the idea (altho I’m sure its been done), but you have to be careful with strong lasers as you could be blinded if you are not careful! Also I am not sure it would pass the health and safety tests 😀

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