Laser Cutting Wood
Back in 1963 a laser cutting wood was one of the latest innovations. The University of Michigan had developed a tool to cut through maple and other hardwoods.
At the time cutting wood with beams of light was thought to be almost science fiction, in fact, it was described as similar to a disintegrating ray gun as described in many science fiction books.
The university’s experimental wood cutting drill operated with a laser (light amplification by stimulated electron radiation) head that contains a coiled xenon flash tube and a ruby rod.
It builds up intensely hot light pulses, focuses them through a lens to vaporize a hole in a block of wood instantly, without leaving any char or burn marks.
It was thought that one day such laser cutting wood devices wood be readily available for the home DIYer to use in his or her home workshop.
I am not sure whether home DIY laser woodcutters are available in modern times however you can purchase laser engraving machines that can engrave on wood, for example, this one from Amazon (affiliate link).
