Awesome Lasers

Standard 6-sided dice are cube-shaped. But it’s also possible to make cylindrical dice – the trick is that they spin instead of roll. Metalsmith W&M Levsha demonstrates their craft by fabricating a pair of smooth-rolling metal dice spinners, each laser-engraved with six numbers. Tiny magnets ensure they stop in the right spots.

Engineers from MIT CSAIL have developed LaserFactory, an innovative fabrication machine that uses a modified laser cutter to create entire devices. It can cut parts, pour silver circuit traces, and place electronic components all in one system. In this video, it makes a drone, which flies straight out of the machine.

Laser measuring devices can really come in handy when you need to measure a large space and don’t have someone to hold the other end of the tape. Magpie Tech’s laser measuring tool can project beams in both directions, so you can measure space by standing in the middle of it. It’s great for measuring heights too.

(PG-13: Language, Gore) Let’s face it. Michael Reeves has built some weird stuff. Now, thanks to a sponsorship from Amazon series The Boys, he got to build a laser-eyed baby just like the one that Billy Butcher wields in the show. Though he struggles a little to meet the demands of Amazon’s marketing department.

Prima Power shows off the power and speed of one of its impressive fiber lasers. Their 6kW Laser Genius slices through sheet metal of varying thickness like a hot, razor-sharp knife through butter. We can’t believe how easily it got through that metal at 1:20. More laser porn here.

There are bigger and more powerful laser engravers out there, but if you’re looking for something compact and inexpensive, this model from Chinese outfit Wainlux looks like a good option. Its 3000mW laser can engrave designs onto wood, leather, fabric, plastic, acrylic, or even food items up to 3.14″ x 3.14″.

Ever need to measure something far away? Bosch’s GLM400CL digital tape measure uses a powerful laser to bounce off surfaces up to 400 feet away, even in sunlight. It has a built-in camera with zoom to help you target your subject, and is accurate to 1/16″. It can calculate length, area, volume, and more in real time.

PGA masters and side-betting amateurs are guaranteed an equally serious advantage with Bushnell Golf’s advanced rangefinder. The Pro XE assesses distance for uphill and downhill shots with its Slope technology, factors in temperature and barometric pressure, and provides visual and vibration feedback when it locks onto the flag.

Whether you roast or fry, there are lots of different ways to prepare your Thanksgiving bird. The guys at BOSSlaser like to make their turkey from wood. It’s not as tender or tasty that way, but we’re sure it’s got lots of fiber. Have access to a laser cutter? Grab the design file from MAKE CNC.

FLUX, the guys behind the Delta 3D printer have a new product in the works – a desktop CO2 laser engraver and cutter that won’t break the bank. It’s designed for ease of use, yet is as capable as pro models, with on-board camera alignment and water cooling, along with optional autofocus and rotary capabilities for curved objects.

If you thought the only way to bend a beam of light was with mirrors, you’d be wrong. MEL Chemistry shows off a few simple experiments you can do with a laser pointer and household items like oil, water, and salt, that demonstrate the nature of reflection and refraction. More here.

Techmoan managed to get his hands on an a truly 1980s gadget, unopened and in its original box. The LASER FX was a home light show that attempted to replicate the experience of a concert with a laser light show. Unfortunately, its lack of an actual laser beam was its downfall. Fortunately, these days we have the LaserCube.

LaserGadgets likes to build all sorts of cool prop weaponry using lasers. For this custom-commissioned build, he created a Militech handgun that looks like it came straight out of the CD Projekt Red RPG Cyberpunk 2077. The hefty replica has LED illumination, and a bright blue laser that’s powerful enough to burst balloons.

This useful pocket-size gadget uses a laser to accurately measure distances up to 130 feet away. It can automatically do the math to calculate distance, area, volume, horizon, and more. The included right-angle mirror makes measuring table heights a snap, and its built-in 6-axis sensor allows it to measure angles too.

Hypnotic and wonderfully-satisfying footage of a high-speed laser engraver rapidly etching an intricate geometric pattern into a metal disc. Z-Tech Lasers‘ video wasn’t sped up either, and was shot in real time.

Delta Hack takes a look at droolworthy gadget for laser geeks. The 4″, 3.1 lb cube has bright red, green, and blue lasers, and a computer-controlled mirror which can be used to display animations. Its beam can also be focused to engrave images or ignite things. Available now from Wicked Lasers. Read our full review on Technabob.