MadModder
Gallery, Projects and General => Project Logs => Topic started by: j45on on May 06, 2011, 03:44:27 PM
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This may be a bit early to start a project log as this build may take me a while due to costs.
I am building a 40 watt laser cutter/engraver with parts and plans from http://www.buildlog.net/
(http://i602.photobucket.com/albums/tt102/ja2onx/laser-1.jpg)
They have plenty of project logs and as mine will be mainly standard I thought I would have a project log here instead :nrocks:
So far I have bought four kits from Bart at Buildlog
This project is open source and all the plans and drawings for parts are listed here http://www.buildlog.net/sm_laser/drawings.html
plastic hardware kit
(http://i602.photobucket.com/albums/tt102/ja2onx/laser3.jpg)
linear bearing system kit
(http://i602.photobucket.com/albums/tt102/ja2onx/laser1.jpg)
mechatronics kit
(http://i602.photobucket.com/albums/tt102/ja2onx/laser2.jpg)
and hardware kit
(http://i602.photobucket.com/albums/tt102/ja2onx/laser4.jpg)
More shopping to come as soon as I sort out an account at misumi for the frame extrusions :hammer:
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Now this is going to be interesting. I will be watching this one closely!!
:headbang:
Eric
**been wanting one of these... I may build one eventually
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Just curious as I haven't the time to look for it... what does it use for a laser? What is the cost?
Eric
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Most of the builders are using one of three 40 watt laser tubes i think
This one http://www.lightobject.com/40W-CO2-Sealed-Laser-Tube-P46.aspx?afid=1
or one from full spectrum engineering USA (bottom of page) http://www.buildlog.net/cnc_laser/store/2x_kits_and_parts.php
And this one from ebay http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=230490524231&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT
My laser tube will be the last thing I buy so I don't break it in storage
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Kenneth are you aware of this ?
http://www.fullspectrumengineering.com/RetinaEngrave.html
they do a drop in replacement costs a fortune though :(
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I have considered a rebuild on this machine to pull out the built in controller a convert it over to a more generic controller so that it is closer to the CNC controlls that I am used to. That or I may throw a digital logic analyzer on the USB stream, reverse engineer the messaging protocol and write a driver for this machine to interface it to some other existing software.
OK, there's tonight's project but what would you do to keep yourself busy tomorrow night? We wouldn't want you to get bored, eh? :lol:
(Sorry for the hijack j45.)
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Ken
Is that $475 for the whole machine or just the laser. Who is the supplier looks different than the 2x.
Dave
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Kenneth
If you are planning on rebuilding your laser :hammer:
Bart the guy who designed the 2.X laser has a kickstarter project going for a linear bearing system that may be of interest you ?
http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/93832939/makerslide-open-source-linear-bearing-system
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I have a big box of Misumi frame extrusion :ddb:
Each piece is cut to length and wrapped better than xmas presents
Also in the box is loads of corner brackets and t-nuts
(http://i602.photobucket.com/albums/tt102/ja2onx/5d08bc4a.jpg)
This will be used to assemble the main chassis,lid and moving gantry of the laser cutter
(http://i602.photobucket.com/albums/tt102/ja2onx/frame.jpg)
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I finally got around to making a start today :poke:
This what I have so far
(http://i602.photobucket.com/albums/tt102/ja2onx/laser1-1.jpg)
I have a long weekend (4 days) off so I hope to get some more done :hammer:
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May I but in just for a very few quick questions? These are so silly, but I even don't know proper search words :bang:
1) Is there any fundamental difference on these laser engravers and one used only to mark metals and such?
2) These are basically a 2D cutters right? Do they have Z for any reason?
3) Is the laser tube or part moved or is the ray guided by mirrors/prisms/fibre whatsaman callits?
Thank you,
Pekka
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Hi Pekka
1-This will only have a 40W CO2 laser you would need hundreds of watts to mark metals or use a YAG laser
There is a product called Thermark which will work with CO2 lasers http://www.thermark.com/content/view/16/86/
But this just permanently bonds to the surface
2-It is basically a 2D cutter/engraver it will have a table which will be the Z axis to raise or lower the work to bring it within focus of the laser
3-The laser will be completely guided with mirrors the tube remains stationary
The laser follows the path shown below in yellow
(http://i602.photobucket.com/albums/tt102/ja2onx/laserpath.jpg)
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Thank you :clap:
I didn't have a foggiest idea - I was really far off on how much power it would take. Dim idea lamp lit in my head: This could be used to mark locations on the metal blank prior to fabrication, but I think I'll try to get more consistent in scratching markin out blue....I would have been cool to "etch" mark out on steel part prior milling and drilling. Could have avoided the 1mm or 10 mm mistakes!
The link you put was intresting.
Pekka
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Good start Jason!
Didn't realize it was mirrors moving. That is interesting!
Eric
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Good one Jason :thumbup:
Pete
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All done with mirrors - well there's a thing :D
I learn something everyday
:beer:
DaveH
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Quick update as I have neglected this post :poke:
I am nearly there now just a few more parts to buy
I tested the laser tube today
makes pew pew laser noises
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brilliant does it cut with short pulses like that or can it run continuously? if so how long before it would overheat?
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brilliant does it cut with short pulses like that or can it run continuously? if so how long before it would overheat?
It runs continuously the tube is water cooled so it could probably run all day
I have neglected this post and the laser is nearly finished now :ddb:
more details here http://www.buildlog.net/forum/viewtopic.php?f=16&t=583
I will update this post later.
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Hi Jason,
I've only just noticed this thread, very interesting. I used to work for a firm making laser 'engravers' - actually a large (6m long x 500dia x 5 tons max) lathe-like machine for cutting away the surface of printing rollers (rubber flexo and ceramic 'anilox'). It used typically a 2kW CO2 laser, but was generally the same technology as what you are using, physicas is physics, large or small.
Is there a beam shutter in your design? I have not read all the design specs, but I haven't seen one. You really do need one and it needs to be gravity operated. In the event of a power failure the laser can continue to lase for some (short) period of time, but certainly long enough to blind you. Our machines were festooned with warning signs one of which stated 'Do Not Stare Into Beam' below which some wag had written 'With Remaining Eye'.
A 10.6um laser beam is effectively a 'heat beam' so is invisible and in the event of an accident the only thing you will notice is the faint smell of burning flesh just as the lights go out - for good! I would recommend you wear laser safe spec.'s (they are not the same as normal safety specs) while operating the machine as the beam can reflect off all sorts of surfaces and you can't see it. I'm normally fairly casual about safety, but you really don't want to push your luck with this sort of toy.
What are you intending to cut with this beastie? Metals and ceramics should be easy enough, but you may have some issues cutting plastics, not the cutting as such, but the removal of 'sticky' fumes. We had perpetual problems of glued filtration systems when ablating lacquers.
I'm interested to see how you get on with this and you're only just up the road from me too so when I need some stainless profiles I know where to come.
Cheers
Richard