In the beginning of this year (Jan. 26), before building anything, I did a small experiment to confirm the most important idea of this project: hardening polymer clay with laser.

Methods

The materials are:

• Polymer clay: Fimo Soft (black)
• Laser: VoidMicro LD3070LA
  • Diode laser module sold on AliExpress at approx. $32
  • 5.5W, 450 nm (blue visible light)

The small amount of clay was kneaded and stretched into thin layer of about 1 mm.
Then the small area on clay was irradiated with laser, in a manner similar to filling an area with pen.
The laser power (PWM input) was set to 100%.

Results

The irradiated area became hard rubber-like state, and it was not easily teared apart when pulled.

Therefore, it is proven that polymer clay can be baked with laser.

However, the process generated terrible odor. Safety of this process has to be investigated further.