4kW LASER

We were donated a Mitsubishi 4kW CO2 laser in 2023, members donated to get it up and running, and we are currently working toward addressing some final issues that have been determined.

This laser can cut a 4’x8′ sheet of 3/4″ thick mild steel! Applications include signs, art installations, architectural custom pieces, electronic housings, conveyor replacement parts, and so much more.

Now through June 1st, 2025, TinkerMill is holding a fundraising campaign to raise funds for the next stages. Please see the message below from our current 4kW Laser Shop Captain, Erik Akia, and learn how far we’ve come, what we still need to do, and how you can be a part realizing this exciting goal for TinkerMill!

TinkerMillians! Thank you to all the people who have helped make the BAL a reality at TinkerMill. I am so excited that TinkerMill has such a powerful tool for prototyping and production. This tool can help start many businesses and bring people’s dreams to life.

First, let’s talk about what we have accomplished and where we are at today.

  • We disconnected the laser and chiller and moved it to TinkerMill.
  • Had the machine moved to its approximate position and then rough-leveled the bed.
  • Powered up the controller and looked at all the error messages.
  • Worked to figure out what those errors meant.
  • Worked on designs for how to power the laser.
  • We consulted an electrical engineer who gave us a plan we could not afford to implement.
  • Talked to many electricians about what to do.
  • Monitored the power TinkerMill uses and talked to Longmont Power and determined that we have plenty of power capacity without upgrading the utility transformer.
  • Worked with a great electrician who is a member looking at several options to run power to the laser affordably.
  • Worked with another great electrician to pull permits and help us wire everything.
  • Upgraded the service and added two disconnects. Installed a transformer to run the chiller at 480V. Ran conduit/wire to W and installed two disconnects.
  • Talked to many specialty gas companies and arranged to get the special gas needed to run the laser and the assist gases required to make cuts.
  • Worked with a Mitsubishi tech for about 2 weeks to get the laser operational.
  • Worked on a post processor to take designs and make code the laser understands.
  • We cut the coins and many other materials to learn what the laser can do (we have not even scratched the surface of its capability).
  • Built walls for blocking sight lines.
  • Cleaned the laser and laser bed.
  • Worked on certification classes
  • Many little steps between these larger ones are too numerous to remember.
 

The efforts of so many people accomplished this, and it all began because many of our members and friends had faith that we could make this a reality at TinkerMill and opened their money holders to express their faith. Last time, we raised $22,760 from our members alone. Thank you to everyone who invested the first time to get the 4kW where it is today!

We have overcome considerable hurdles and have waited to seek additional fundraising until we could prove that the laser would work. We now know the laser works, and there is no doubt that we can have a fully functional 4kW laser cutter at TinkerMill. However, we do have some issues that need to be addressed:

  • The Nitrogen supply we have is a 230L dewar and can not sustain the amount of assist gas production needed for very long. The length of time varies depending on how thick you are cutting. There is a real danger of outpacing gas production and drawing liquid nitrogen into the laser head, which would explode the lens and create a toxic nightmare cleanup job with other potential damage that would cost us many thousands to fix. To mitigate this danger, we need to put an evaporator between the dewar and the laser, ensuring the liquid nitrogen will convert into gas before getting to the laser.
  • Since we have liquid nitrogen in the room and the tiny potential of a large-scale release of that liquid combined with the desire to start sealing the room better for better thermal efficiency, we could have an issue with asphyxiation because a significant release of the Nitrogen would displace the oxygen in the room. This is mitigated by installing an oxygen depletion monitor that would sound an alarm if there is low oxygen in the room, so you can safely leave the space. These devices are not cheap.
  • We need to cut more consumable slats for the bed and need ⅛” stainless steel sheets.
  • We have often discussed how we will get heavy metal sheets onto the table. We plan to buy a gantry crane with a winch and a sheet lifter magnet. You can back your truck up under the gantry crane, lift the sheet out of your bed, roll it over, and place it on the laser bed.
  • We want to build more plywood walls and put them on casters to make it safer for others to be in W.
  • We want to improve our ventilation system and buy a micro bulk for stretch goals.
 

Our goal is to raise $20,000. We know this is well within our ability to achieve! Please pledge and donate to help TinkerMill’s members make this a fully functioning and safer shop. In return (other than warm fuzzy feelings) we have several incentive levels for you to pledge at.

Each level up gets the incentive of the levels below.

  • $100 – 20% off your first 2 hours of laser time and you get a newly designed coin in 16 gauge stainless steel

  • $300 – Second priority on training class scheduling post-launch

  • $500 – Free certification training

  • $800 – 30% discount on up to 16 hours of laser time used in the first 6 months after certification

  • $1600 – Early training + 40% on up to 32 hours of laser time used in the first 6 months after certification (does not stack with $800 level)

  • $3000 – We hang a sign on the shop’s walls that proclaims you as a shop sponsor and promote your company for one year. (does not stack with $800 level

 

*Bonus: We have four extra founder challenge coins from the first round of funding. After the cut-off date, we will randomly draw four names from those who donate this round to receive one of those coins. 

**You can contribute any amount for no incentive and use it as a tax write-off. Please note that we are not tax planners; this is not advice. Your situation may vary, and you should consult your tax professional to see if this is something you can take advantage of.

So what do you think? Can you help yourself and the 4kW Laser shop?

Though we will continue to accept donations, these incentive levels will no longer be available after June 1st so pledge early and don’t miss out. 

 

How to make your donation:

  • Donate your pledge amount by dropping off a check made out to TinkerMill (with 4kw Laser in the memo line) anytime in person (in the blue box up front), or mail to TinkerMill, 1840 Delaware Pl. Unit A, Longmont, CO 80501. Checks are preferred to save TM transaction fees
  • You may have the option to use Bill Pay from your online bank account, mail to TinkerMill, 1840 Delaware Pl. Unit A, Longmont, CO 80501
  • These are direct links to donate via PayPal here, Square here, or Stripe here. Donations can also be accepted via Venmo (@tinkermill)please include a note that it is a 4kW donation. THANK YOU!

What can it do?

Metals it can cut:

  1. Mild Steel (A-36 low carbon) kind you buy at any steel supplier Ex:  ½” thick steel box wrench on laser bed
  2. Stainless Steel (304 ,309, 316) (meaning different amounts of Nickel/Chrome %)
  3. Aluminum (series 3004 – Al cans) kids toys, series 4043 light structural
  4. Series 5052 (base & top Al cans), 6000 series (aircraft), 7000 aircraft struct)
  5. Copper (custom shapes for electronic boards, large electrical cabinet “bus bars”)
  6. Many others (Titanium, Inconel, Hastaloy)
  7. Can also cut plywood, some plastics (toxic off gassing)

How big can it cut? 

4 foot by 8 foot, 3/4” thick (bed can carry 1500 lbs) 

  1. Mild Steel ½” thick, 4’x8’ (700 lbs), 54IPM (inches per minute) Or… 8 foot long end to end, 1 minute. Using basic gas (Oxygen assist) & water cooling, laser at 50% power. Accurate to .005” (5 Thousandths)
  2. Mild Steel 1” thick, 4’x8’ (1400 lbs), 38IPM  Using proprietary Tri-Gas mix Cryogenic (-150F) (Oxygen, Helium, Argon) Laser & cooling @ 100% power
  3. Stainless Steel & Aluminum ¼” thick 42IPM Using Nitrogen gas (N2) & water cooling. Accurate to .005” 
  4. Stainless Steel & Aluminum ⅜” thick 32IPM Using N2, water cooling, Cryogenic Tri-mix gas. Accurate to .005”

Applications

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sign making, art installations, architectural custom pieces (pieces for home interiors: gussets, brackets, trays, holders, staircase details), small plate parts for start-ups & medium-size manufacturing, electronics housings/cases, electronics cooling plates/heat sinks, conveyor replacement parts, plate parts, off road plated for fabrication of bumpers, roof racks, battery boxes, propane boxes, skid plates, etc.

Thank you for your help to make TinkerMill even more awesome!