Dan Barlow's Webpage

Lasers have gone from being a scientific curiosity to the point where most Americans own several during my lifetime.

From the Helium-Neon on the left, through the Argon in the middle and on to the Diode LASER on the right, I have been involved with lasers as a hobby throughout my life.

Starting in 2010 I have been a member of Photonlexicon and have attended the South East Laser Enthusiasts Meeting in Newton, NC, a convention for those who enjoy the technology and display aspects of lasers.

While I started by buying lasers at surplus auctions and restoring them, I now construct lasers from components.

I have constructed diode and CO2 lasers for HacDC members and others. When the commercial 40W laser reached end of life I ordered a 100W CO2 tube and power supply from China and installed it as a side rail on an optical table. Along with Julia Longtin I assembled and calibrated a linear motion system on the working area, aimed and focused the laser, and achieved a working tool.

I backed the Moai stereolithography 3D printer from Peopoly on Kickstarter. It uses an untraviolet laser to harden liquid resin. I assembled it from the kit of parts and it worked the first time. I still have it working.