Just a thought but what if one were to take an existing "cheap chinese laser" (not to offend those who have and like theirs) and expand its engraving /cutting area? Use the good stuff like the laser tube/ power supply, driver board, optics, motors etc. I realize you would have to use longer linear ways and belts, but what else should be taken into consideration? Would it be worth considering?
My first questions would be to the ones that have these machines.
What is the method of raising/lowering the material for focal lenght? what limits the physical size of the engraving/cutting area? Is it just the linear ways? is the area user defineable in the control software?
Any ideas are welcome and please feel free to just bash all over this.
I would much rather abandon the idea before it gets started than invest in futility.
ps, I am not talking about making a 10 ft by 20 ft table or anything. Just 12x24 inches or 24x36...something like that