Laser courses wanted?

Discussion
1

Hi

I would like some input on proposed laser courses:

  • Ruby - I offered a course, but there were not many takers. Perhaps it was the timing?
  • Inkscape - offered several times a year, next one on 20 Jan
  • Rotary attachment - this has been offered by others in the past, but not for a while
  • Laser cut veneer inlays - these are so cool! I have loads of the tape to give away
  • First laser project - this can be done without a group/training
  • Regular laser user meetups - how often, and what would you want to do at a meetup?
  • Anything else you can think of - post your needs below
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These all sound great - I’d seen that veneer inlay video previously and had meant to talk to you about it when I was a little au fait with the device!

My bug hotels/gifts for long suffering family members seem to be coming along quite nicely - those could probably work as a vaguely functional ‘first laser project’ that might get people thinking in (very rudimentary) 3D. Although I came across some issues that should probably be ironed out before putting it in front of anyone else!

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I’m happy to buddy with you to get the design workshop ready.

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I would be interested in the inlay one for sure. I was semi interested in the inkscapt one too as I use illustrator and though ideas from one would flow both ways. As I mentioned to you the other day, I get knocked out every 3rd week so would end up missing 1-2 session consecutively dependent on recovery. Would remote viewing be possible like we do with meetings or notes/independet homework plan?

You could also merge the Ruby course into the Inlay one :slight_smile:

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Hi. Thanks for the input.
I am not sure when I would run the sessions - probably 1 a month at the most.
I’m going to explore streaming the courses to include as many people as possible.

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Hi Brendan,

I know I’m rather late to the party on this one! Christmas ended up being very full. I’ve been meaning to reply to you ever since you first posted. I hope ideas are still welcome. I think there’s a lot here that would be useful to a lot of people. Easing the way from being inducted to working independently is a challenge for anything, particularly something with as much potential as lasercutting.

Something on design might be good? So designing things like enclosures or interlocking parts. The kinds of design challenges people will have come up with solutions to that could be shared. Another thought that crossed my mind might be something on the spectrum of materials you can cut and what they lend themselves to.

One possibility that crossed my mind is something on mechanisms. I hit a jackpot with a secret santa gift this year and got two books on making paper automata. Obviously, automata have a long and storied history but aren’t that accessible but the things in this book are as good as it gets and paper is a great, accessible medium. I’ve heard there are laser safe papers though I’ve not tried any and I don’t know if they’d work for these kinds of mechanisms but as they’re designed in card, I think they’d work well in any flat medium. Mechanisms would work nicely along with electronics, which is obviously a really successful course you’ve been running.

If nothing else, Rob Ives - who wrote the book - has a great website and instagram. Seeing a crankshaft in paper makes my inner child smile.

Any of that appeal?

L

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I’d definitely be interested in learning more about the laser cutter.

Laser meet ups sound amazing.
Would like to know more about the rotary cutter, veneer and also working out settings for different materials.

I’ve seen some really cool experimental projects in the space and would be interested to know more about getting the right settings for different materials and learning more about safety issues.

Great chat today- thank you for all your support, advice and inspiration :raising_hands:t4:

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