What is so cool about Endurance L-Cheapo 2.1 Watt laser?
Everything…) Because we use laser diode to produce powerful output.
It is not so obvious which diode to use. What kind of lens has to be installed.
And the most complicated question is how to cool this laser.

I can use CO2 laser to cut and engrave.
Of course you can use CO2 laser cutter machine. But the problem is that CO2 laser machine can only do this things. It has high weight and relatively high price.  Our laser is an extension for your current CNC device (3D printer)

Your laser can not cut metal, wood, acrylic
In fact we can not cut metal. But all other materials, like ABS PLA, plastic, acrylic, felt, fiber, etc. can be cut. Also keep in mind that speed is not high and our laser is sensitive to material color. For example while materials reflect and therefore it will need relatively more time to cut white thing comparing to dark one.

I can use plotter to cut anything I want
It is really good point. Plotter can be used for many applications. But what if you have 3D printer and you do not have a plotter. Then our solution is the best choice.

Can it melt and do welding with Endurance laser cutter?
Our current output is not sufficient to do welding or soldering. But we are working on next laser models what will be more powerful.

Can you give a costing for courier (dhl, UPS or Fedex) as opposed to USPS
Normaly it is 25 USD for worldwide, excl. Europe (only 20 USD there), It is USPS.

Will you still be able to control speed, power settings from the regular software (used by the cnc)
Normaly you can control it in gcode or settings in your CNC router or 3D printer.

I will like to retrofit an existing system with your laser what is the largest X axis and Y axis possible
Yeah, actually you need only X / Y axes…

What is the focus length
2-10 cm (0.5-2 inch)

What is the continuous use time for your laser
We tested it for 48 hours and it worked perfectly.

Is the safety goggles included (As in the pics)
Yes, we supply with 2 pair of protection goggles

What is the wavelength of your laser and which colour acrylic will be used if I want to build an enclosure 445 nm.
You need red color to cover your deivce to protec and still we recoment to operate in goggles…) Just for safety.

Can you give a costing for courier (dhl, UPS or Fedex) as opposed to USPS
Normaly it is 25 USD for worldwide, excl. Europe (only 20 USD there), It is USPS.

Will you still be able to control speed, power settings from the regular software (used by the cnc)
Normaly you can control it in gcode or settings in your CNC router or 3D printer.

I will like to retrofit an existing system with your laser what is the largest X axis and Y axis possible
Yeah, actually you need only X / Y axes…

What is the focus length
2-10 cm (0.5-2 inch)

What is the continuous use time for your laser
We tested it for 48 hours and it worked perfectly.

Is the safety goggles included (As in the pics)
Yes, we supply with 2 pair of protection goggles

What is the wavelength of your laser and which colour acrylic will be used if I want to build an enclosure
445 nm.
you need red color to cover your deivce to protec and still we recoment to operate in goggles…) Just for safety.

Would it cut through .032 (<1mm) thick Stainless Steel?
Lasers that cut steel are expensive and dangerous. Even a 40W laser won’t. You need 200W or more. Laws of physics…

I have a 8x8x8 Davinci 3D printer. In thinking of other uses like making a Cat40 holder for actual CNC mounting (full-size) or even on a Bridgeport, would it be possible to power the laser with a 12V battery pack? Looking at the power usage rating on the 2.1a it seems possible, but I figured I’d ask.
Yes. You can even use a 3-cell lipo battery (11.1 volts)

What is the maximum thickness of material it can cutout in a single pass? I am assuming that multiple passes could cut through thicker material.
1mm.

I read elsewhere about a 3.1a version, but do not see it on your site. Additionally I saw on your site about a 5a version in development that R&D was expected to be finished May 2015. Is there any update on either of those? Any rough ballpark pricing estimates or expectations?
The 3.5W is complete and being tested. The 5W version will need FDA approval, so we don’t know when we can sell it.

What type of material is recommended for the table?
“Blank” copper board used in electronics. Cheap, good thermal dispersion, easy to get.

The article I read that directed me to your site had stated: “With a “dot size” of about 10 mils (0.25mm) at 1/8″ depth, or more at 3/16″, the L-Cheapo is capable of cutting up to 3/16″ (5mm) plywood or acrylic with multiple passes.” I’m unclear if they’re saying that there are adjustable power settings and at 1/8 depth of “cut” the dot size is .25mm and it can be adjusted to a 3/16” depth of cut with larger dot size. It then mentions multiple passes to cut through 3/16” so I’m a bit confused. The lasers I’ve worked with have power and frequency adjustments but I doubt that there’d be any settings on these in regards to that. Could you explain a bit more for me?
You can do PWM on the laser for power, and adjust the dot size by moving a thumb screw.

You write that I should use GCode, but how do I convert an image to GCode in
the first place?
Download WinTopo (free version)
Convert the image to DXF using WinTopo
To convert DXF to GCode follow the instructions at:
http://endurancerobots.com/products/laser-cutters-accessory/quick-start/
http://endurancerobots.com/products/laser-cutters-accessory/running-a-l-cheapo-2/
http://endurancerobots.com/products/laser-cutters-accessory/setting-up-a-l-cheapo/