On another section, I had a question regarding the CNC laser machine I use to make gaskets and all sorts of other things. Happy to share what I know.
The machine is commonly referred to as a 3018. It has become so universally famous if you type 3018 into Google you'll see all sorts of these for sale. In the number 3018, 30 means it has a 300mm X axis and 18 means it has a 180mm Y axis. Hence the reason you can't make valve cover gaskets. 300mm is a bit shorter than 12 inches but you can't cut all the way to 300mm...more like 250mm. It is made in China and there are many versions of it all differentiated by size of work area. Such as 3040, etc. You can use it as an X-Y-Z axis machine (using a router-type motor and cutting bit) or you can use it as an X-Y only machine (with a laser head which you will have to purchase separately---the machine is designed to control either type of head). The router motor and bits won't cut gasket material at all. They tend to grab the material and tear it to shreds even if you secure it to the table. The most common laser head is a lower power diode type and it can be bought in a number of wattage outputs. The one I have is a 3.5 watt version. They do wear out if you use them a lot. You can figure the 3.5 watt model to cost between $60 and $90 or so. I have had to replace mine three times. If you are planning to use it as a CNC router (to shape plastic, wood, masonite, etc), I would definitely get the more expensive models with at least the 500 watt motor. You will need as much stability as possible. Down below you can see a piece of fiberglass I've machined to accept a radio inset piece. If you just want to set up a laser machine, you probably can do that for between $200 and $300 if you shop around carefully. If you just want a laser machine, you can get some that are not 3018 machines with a larger work area like this one:
https://tinyurl.com/3cyv5fpw (I don't have one of these and have not used one but it looks interesting and it is controlled by some of the same software I use.
The movement of the laser is controlled by GRBL...at least that's what I learned to use. There are other programs like lightburn, however they are not free. GRBL is an open-source (meaning freely provided without cost) software program written to control lots of machines that make things. Basically you can use a JPG image file as input and with some manipulation convert it to instructions that tell the machine to reproduce that JPG image pretty exactly. Warning: it isn't always as easy as I may be making it sound. Some images require a lot of manipulation and time. The Carter YF gaskets took me something like 23 tries before I got what I wanted. Fortunately once you have the file set, you own it and you can repeat it rather easily. Outside temperature and humidity will have an effect on things and you must do this work outside as it will make your house smell like a bonfire if you do it indoors. The instruction file (an .nc file) is rather complex, however if you are curious and want to learn about the commands you can understand it. Image manipulation is the part that takes time and work and experience but you will get better at it. The movement of the router (since it uses the Z axis also) requires you to know something about engineering (CAD/CAM) and more complex programs. This water can get pretty deep on you, honestly speaking.
But let's just focus on the laser part for now since that's what the question was. With it, you can refine the image you want to "print" (laser print) and adjust the speed and strength so that you don't burn things up or fail to cut them. The laser beam starts when you tell the machine to print the image. Once you have worked and refined the JPG image enough and decided on the best strength and speed of travel, you can make gaskets like the ones you see below in the images. You'll need gasket material and you will learn not all gasket material is capable of being cut using a laser beam. Some of it melts, some of it catches fire, some of it simply will not work with the beam.
I hope this helps explain things. When I started this I had to learn from scratch. It isn't too difficult but it does require some practice and all.
