We now have the laser cutter fully hooked up and working. Below is a picture of the back of the laser cutter where you can see the exhaust hose, the compressor and the water chiller.

We have been testing the laser cutter by cutting some of the thin board that Ross brought in to use for the walls of the Halloween electric chair. This is shown below.

We still have a lot to do to determine the correct parameters to use for cutting or engraving the various materials we have available for use. We also have to continue the exploration of the laser’s software. Once this is done I will setup classes so that anyone who wishes to attend may get certified to use the laser cutter.

We have ordered a Full Spectrum laser cutter/engraver. We should have it within three weeks. This laser cutter has a cut/engrave area of 24″ X 18″. It can cut many materials, however, it cannot cut metal. As an example, it can cut 1/2″ wood or acrylic. It can also engrave on granite, marble, glass and other materials.

FCW is now a 501(c)(3) approved organization, able to take tax-deductable donations. The paperwork was started in January 2012 and submitted in May 2011. The approval went through without any questions or corrections. Many thanks to those on the committee. Now… to look for grants.

The Lenoir Amateur Radio Club used the Ham radio station at FCW this past weekend to participate in the November Sweepstakes. For portions of Saturday and Sunday Hams across North America made contacts with each other, exchanging locations, calls and a sequence number. FCW is pleased to be able to provide a facility for such events.

FCW recently offered a Beginning Machining workshop, covering basic Milling, Drilling, and Turning operations.  The workshop allowed the participants to make a small air/steam wobbler engine.  Rich Goldner was the instructor and there were seven participants in two groups. The workshop took 16 hours spread over 4 weeks.

Raw stock of Aluminum and Steel was used in the project.  The base was cut, faced and drilled, the cylinder cut, faced and drilled, and the piston, crank and flywheel turned on the lathe.  The CNC mill was used for the milling and drilling operations.  Besides the milling, drilling and turning training,  the project also involved the setup of the mill and lathe, tapping, and precision measurement.

This workshop was restricted to current members of FCW but another is planned that will be open to the public.

The FCW Amateur Radio (HAM) station is now official with the callsign K4FCW. We hope to have antennas up soon. We have HF, VHF and digital capabilities with others to be added in the future. There are plans to offer Ham Radio license classes in the near future.

The construction for the classroom and railroad/model shop room has started. Joe, Warren and Gene are starting the construction stage of FCW’s phase 2.
The classroom will allow FCW to provide instruction in numerous topics for up to 24 persons at a time. The model shop will contain a large model railroad – provided by Gene – and a model shop for railroad and RC models.

The machine shop is now operational. We have a CNC mill, lathe, bandsaw and grinders. Pictured are Warren, a retired machining instructor, and Rich, who converted the mill to CNC and furnished the equipment.

The shop has already been used to assist a local high school in fabricating parts for a robot.  Regular training in Basic Safety and Usage is offered.