Light, Fire and Tikis

[tugrik]

The little pocket-camera actually fits inside the laser cabinet while it's operating, so I figured why not try letting it run while the laser carved away?

These are little fox tikis that were recently submitted. Prior to this video the backs were rastered, the board flipped and the fronts rastered. Then I put the camera in the cabinet and let it do the final vector cuts.

The laser beam itself is invisible. The vaporizing wood makes all the light as it does its happydance with oxygen. Most of the fire is below the table out of sight, sucked downwards by the evac fan hooked to the laser's cabinet. One of these days I'll put the camera inside the vector table to record it. Acrylic is even more pretty, making backdraft-movie-esque rolling flames along the underside as it cuts.

Watch for the vivaciously grinning revar at the end of the clip. :) Expect more videos for me in the not too distant future. However, they'll be hosted on a Vimeo Pro account for full HD resolutions from the 5DmkII camera. I'll still use YouTube for these little pocket-cam vids, though.

As far as the tikis, the last five are being done slightly smaller and non-numbered to save time. They'll sell for cheaper, unlike the first 10 limited-edition ones. This way I can get the designs out for the convention without sacrificing other projects. Come up to the photo area and get 'em while they last! They'll be out there on Friday and Saturday while we're shooting. Sunday I'll have them with me as I walk around and enjoy the convention, if there are any left!

Comments

[quoting-mungo.livejournal.com]

Ooh! Neat gadget is neat! :D I hadn't really espected it to cut things quite that much like zoom-zoom-zoom.

Or, I suppose I had, but it's different to see it.

Looks like the tiki turned out well, as well, which is a good thing. :)


-Alexandra

[tugrik.livejournal.com]

So how do you want me to get your copies to you? :)

The vectoring is the fastest stage. The rastering takes 10-20 minutes per side, depending on the tiki's design. Overall one board of 16 tikis can take anywhere from 30 mins to 1 hour, depending on how detailed each side is and how much vector work has to be done at the end.

This doesn't include the time to vectorize the art, set up the cuts, figure out the power levels and then bash it all together in Corel to hand off to the laser's driver. This whole Tiki project has been a lot more work than I originally thought... but it's been an exceptional way to learn this tool and the software surrounding it!

[quoting-mungo.livejournal.com]

Aaah. That sounds like very interesting (if complicated) fussing around, surrounding the work. Usually I dismiss things like this as involving hardware and therefore qualifying for "here, fix" status.

I'll gladly toss you a bit for shipping, if you like; I don't expect you to send the darn things internationally for free, and unfortunately I can't afford the time or money to get to the con, fun as that would be.


-Alexandra

[astolpho.livejournal.com]

Okay I've hit my tiki saturation point. I finally got round to drawing one up just now, and will vectorize it and make it fancy tomorrow morning. Are there any slots left?

[loranskunky.livejournal.com]

Laser Cutter p0rn! :)

[collingslion.livejournal.com]

Oh wow.. I am having a VERY hard time thinking of a cooler toy.

[revar.livejournal.com]

All too easy for me, sadly. My lust list still includes:
* A large 5-axis CNC milling machine.
* A 5 axis water jet cutter for metal.
* A "fab lab" 3D printer fabrication machine.
* Several other toys those rich bastards on Orange County Choppers keep showing off.

[collingslion.livejournal.com]

They're all fun, but I have to point out that none of those things have laser beams that burn through stuff. LASER BEAMS, MAN!!

[zeeth_kyrah]

But-but-but- 3D printer!

[revar.livejournal.com]

Yes, but the water cutter has a supersonic jet of water that cuts through steel.

[kitsumi.livejournal.com]

That's so awesome. :) I forgot to ask, did you need a file of my signature, or website address ? I hope the files got to you ok. :O

[tugrik.livejournal.com]

Yes please! The file did arrive. I'm trying to finish up all tiki things this weekend if at all possible. :)

[darkwolven.livejournal.com]

That's awesome. I've worked with a large format Mimaki 56" printer before, but would love to have one of these to work with someday. :)

[uneko.livejournal.com]

So.. shiny...

But.. but...

What is that music? I MUST know! O_O

(Oh yes, I sent you a mail re: pet tags the other day: I didn't realize it was con-weekend.. it's a bit late to be saying this, but please do take your time in replying to me. :) I know you're busy, and I'm not in a hurry. :D)

*listens to music clip on loop*

[tugrik.livejournal.com]

I got your email! Will respond later today. I have a houseful of folks working on projects. :)

The music is "Rods and Cones" off the first Blue Man Group album, "Audio". The whole album rocks.

[uneko.livejournal.com]

Like I said, no rush, please :D Busy critters must tend to things in the proper order :D and my cats aren't in any hurry to get more jinglies attached on their collars. ;) When you have time :D

And awesome, thank you. I'm gonna have to look into them later! I still have Christmas money to spend, after all :D

[uneko.livejournal.com]

As I said... no rush, please.. I know you're busy and I swear I'm not being passive aggressive. :P

I've been having some issues with my email lately, and I just wanted to make sure that my email didn't get devoured by Yahoo, or some other webdemon.

I have no problem with continuing to wait. :) I just wanted to make sure that you were not waiting on me. I'd have waited a bit longer to "poke" you, but I"m afraid it'll slip my mind entirely if I don't do it now. --My husband's got whatever's going around... and I'll probably end up catching it and be half-dead into next week...

So... IF you have already got back to me, if you could please resend you the mail... If you have not, though, please do take your time still!

Alright, have to go, I hear the siren call of the dry-heaves.