80 watt laser engraver - Revision history

Codohundo at 16:28, 11 April 2012

2012-04-11T16:28:29Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 16:28, 11 April 2012
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	*engraving and cutting can be put in same file, when you get them into lasercut select cuts and push them to a later layer (select line, select layer colour)		*engraving and cutting can be put in same file, when you get them into lasercut select cuts and push them to a later layer (select line, select layer colour)
	*think about cut order, if it matters push cuts to different layers, e.g. shark with eye cut out, cut out eye first then shark, otherwise shark could fall away or move before the eye has been cut		*think about cut order, if it matters push cuts to different layers, e.g. shark with eye cut out, cut out eye first then shark, otherwise shark could fall away or move before the eye has been cut
	*make sure the exhaust fan is outside, plug it in and cover up the gap in the bay door
	*laser does not cut at lower power levels (TBD) ~ 25 - 30%. Head moves properly but no cutting (although it still may be firing)		*laser does not cut at lower power levels (TBD) ~ 25 - 30%. Head moves properly but no cutting (although it still may be firing)
	*after long cuts LaserCut5.1 often looses contact with the laser, file->reconnect will often restore connectivity, if not: save your project, close LaserCut5.1 unplug the usb connector to the laser, reconnect it, restart LaserCut5.1, open your saved project.		*after long cuts LaserCut5.1 often looses contact with the laser, file->reconnect will often restore connectivity, if not: save your project, close LaserCut5.1 unplug the usb connector to the laser, reconnect it, restart LaserCut5.1, open your saved project.

Codohundo at 16:26, 11 April 2012

2012-04-11T16:26:33Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 16:26, 11 April 2012
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	~~super rough notes, don't even look at me pls~~

Codohundo at 16:24, 11 April 2012

2012-04-11T16:24:28Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 16:24, 11 April 2012
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	== Using the machine ==		== Using the machine ==
	~~regurgitate~~ the ~~above here~~		3 Procedures must be followed as prescribed
			# Safe Power Up Procedure to be performed whenever the machine needs to be turned on
			# Pre-Cut Check to be performed before the first cut and after any break between cuts, don't assume the machine is as you left it.
			# Safe Power Down Procedure

	=== ~~Powering up the machine~~ ===		=== Safe Power Up Procedure ===
	With very few exceptions, the same order of operations should always be maintained for safe proper operation. Failing to enable a portion of the cooling system will damage the laser.		With very few exceptions, the same order of operations should always be maintained for safe proper operation. Failing to enable a portion of the cooling system will damage the laser.
	~~# Open cutting area and remove any objects from the working bed.~~
	# Verify the cooling tank has enough water.		# Verify the cooling tank has enough water.
	# ~~Plug in~~ circulation pump ~~to a 110v circuit. (currently does not~~ power on ~~with chiller),~~		# Turn on the circulation pump, sometimes it's unplugged from the black power bar, sometimes the black power bar is turned off, plug it into the black power bar ONLY, and ensure the power bar is on.
	# Power on 120-240 voltage converter (box on trolley with green light-up switch).		# Power on 120-240 voltage converter (box on trolley with green light-up switch).
	#* Verify that power is applied to the chiller and air pump. These are 220v appliances and need to be plugged directly into the voltage converter.		#* Verify that power is applied to the chiller and air pump. These are 220v appliances and need to be plugged directly into the voltage converter. The display panel on the chiller should light up, and the hanging pump should now be vibrating.
	~~# Set~~ up ~~ventilation fan outdoors~~, ~~leave unplugged but switch unit on.~~
	~~#* During colder temperatures only run exhaust while cutting is taking place~~.
	# Activate power to laser cutter from switch on back of unit.		# Activate power to laser cutter from switch on back of unit.
	# Deactivate E-stop with a twisting motion, and power on laser with key switch on front panel. The key had 3 positions, rotating clockwise the positions are off, off, on.		# Deactivate E-stop with a twisting motion, and power on laser with key switch on front panel. The key had 3 positions, rotating clockwise the positions are off, off, on.

	The laser is now active and ready to accept instructions from the ~~laptop~~.		The laser is now active and ready to accept instructions from the computer.
	'''Warning!''' The laser is a stand-alone unit and ''can move/execute programs/fire the laser with the laptop disconnected.''		'''Warning!''' The laser is a stand-alone unit and ''can move/execute programs/fire the laser with the laptop disconnected.''

			=== Pre-Cut Check ===
			# Ensure the circulation pump is running
			# Ensure the air pump is running
			# Ensure the exhaust fan is on (this one will frequently be turned off between cuts so always check it)
			# Verify the work area is free of obstructions
			# With a hand over the E-Stop, run a test to see if the cut envelope will cause the head to collide with any obstructions (weights, sides) Do not allow the head to collide with ANYTHING when in doubt hit the E-STOP and reset with the workpeice re-positioned or the obstructions removed, in extreme cases you may have to modify or abandon the cut.

			=== Shutting down the machine ===
			Following the same steps in reverse order will help ensure the machine is left in a safe mode.
			# Activate E-stop to render the work-area safe.
			# Clean out remnants from the cutting area.
			# Turn off power from the key switch, this will turn off the work-light.
			# Turn off the power switch at the back of the laser.
			# Deactivate the exhaust fan
			# Power down voltage converter (green switch)
			# Unplug circulation pump


	=== Focusing the Laser ===		=== Focusing the Laser ===
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	#* To abort the current program (something is horribly wrong), press the stop key. This will abort the program and it will have to be restarted from the start. The head should home back to the origin from before the program was started.		#* To abort the current program (something is horribly wrong), press the stop key. This will abort the program and it will have to be restarted from the start. The head should home back to the origin from before the program was started.

	~~=== Shutting down the machine ===~~
	~~Following the same steps in reverse order will help ensure the machine is left in a safe mode.~~
	~~# Activate E-stop to render the work-area safe.~~
	~~# Clean out remnants from the cutting area.~~
	~~# Turn off power from the key switch, this will turn off the work-light.~~
	~~# Deactivate/put away exhaust fan~~
	~~# Power down voltage converter (green switch)~~
	~~# Unplug circulation pump~~
	~~# Turn off power to back of unit~~
	~~# Lock the bay door by sliding the dead bolt closed and putting the brass padlock through the deadbolt~~

	== Cut Guidelines ==		== Cut Guidelines ==
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	# Select the part of your model to be exported to DXF (can select all)		# Select the part of your model to be exported to DXF (can select all)
	# Use the plugin to create the DXF file, select mm as the export unit and export as lines		# Use the plugin to create the DXF file, select mm as the export unit and export as lines
	# Transfer file to laser ~~laptop~~		# Transfer file to laser workstation
	# Open dxf in autocad save as 2004 dxf		# Open dxf in autocad save as 2004 dxf
	# Follow the startup procedures as above		# Follow the startup procedures as above
			# Follow the pre-cut procedures as above
	# Test cut/engrave settings on a sample of the target work material (e.g. do Laser Coin Test)		# Test cut/engrave settings on a sample of the target work material (e.g. do Laser Coin Test)
	# Import in lasercut5.1		# Import in lasercut5.1
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	# Hit delete all		# Hit delete all
	# Hit download current, this can take some time if the project is complex, if it takes too long you may want to break the cut up into smaller chunks.		# Hit download current, this can take some time if the project is complex, if it takes too long you may want to break the cut up into smaller chunks.
	# ~~Ensure~~ the ~~work area is clear of any obstructions~~		# Follow the pre-cut procedures as above
	~~# Use test on the laser control panel to setup work piece~~
	~~# Ensure the exhaust fan is on, connected and outside~~
	~~# Ensure the circulating pump is on~~
	~~# Ensure the lid is closed~~
	# Hit start		# Hit start
			# Follow the safe shutdown procedures as above

Codohundo at 20:11, 29 February 2012

2012-02-29T20:11:26Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 20:11, 29 February 2012
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	# Unplug circulation pump		# Unplug circulation pump
	# Turn off power to back of unit		# Turn off power to back of unit
			# Lock the bay door by sliding the dead bolt closed and putting the brass padlock through the deadbolt

	== Cut Guidelines ==		== Cut Guidelines ==

Codohundo at 01:27, 25 January 2012

2012-01-25T01:27:54Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 01:27, 25 January 2012
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	With very few exceptions, the same order of operations should always be maintained for safe proper operation. Failing to enable a portion of the cooling system will damage the laser.		With very few exceptions, the same order of operations should always be maintained for safe proper operation. Failing to enable a portion of the cooling system will damage the laser.
	# Open cutting area and remove any objects from the working bed.		# Open cutting area and remove any objects from the working bed.
			# Verify the cooling tank has enough water.
	# Plug in circulation pump to a 110v circuit. (currently does not power on with chiller),		# Plug in circulation pump to a 110v circuit. (currently does not power on with chiller),
	# Power on 120-240 voltage converter (box on trolley with green light-up switch).		# Power on 120-240 voltage converter (box on trolley with green light-up switch).

Codohundo at 00:21, 24 January 2012

2012-01-24T00:21:36Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 00:21, 24 January 2012
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	{\| border="1"		{\| border="1"
	!colspan="5"\|~~Polycarbonate~~		!colspan="5"\|?
	\|-		\|-
	\|rowspan="2"\|Thickness		\|rowspan="2"\|Thickness

Frollard: /* Focusing the Laser */

2012-01-23T23:04:53Z

Focusing the Laser

← Older revision		Revision as of 23:04, 23 January 2012
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	Depending on the thickness of the material and whether you are cutting or engraving you will need to set an appropriate focal distance. The beam does not come out of the lens parallel, but in fact is conically shaped. See: Figure 1.		Depending on the thickness of the material and whether you are cutting or engraving you will need to set an appropriate focal distance. The beam does not come out of the lens parallel, but in fact is conically shaped. See: Figure 1.

	~~==== Focal Depth: ====~~
	[[File:LaserFocus.png\|300px\|thumb\|right\|Figure 2. Focal Depth: Bottom shows resultant cut shape.]]		[[File:LaserFocus.png\|300px\|thumb\|right\|Figure 2. Focal Depth: Bottom shows resultant cut shape.]]
	For engraving, you want the focal point right on the surface for the fastest/most efficient results.		For engraving, you want the focal point right on the surface for the fastest/most efficient results.
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	For cutting, you want the focal point to be near the midpoint of the thickness of the material so that it makes the straightest edges on the cuts. See Figure 2.<br>		For cutting, you want the focal point to be near the midpoint of the thickness of the material so that it makes the straightest edges on the cuts. See Figure 2.<br>

	~~----~~
	=== Load the program! ===		=== Load the program! ===
	The LaserCut5.1 software is a bit tricky.		The LaserCut5.1 software is a bit tricky.

Frollard: /* Load the program! */

2012-01-23T22:56:34Z

Load the program!

← Older revision		Revision as of 22:56, 23 January 2012
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	----		----
	=== Load the program! ===		=== Load the program! ===
	See: [[Sample ~~workflow]]~~		The LaserCut5.1 software is a bit tricky.
			See: Sample Workflow (below)

	=== Cut the loaded program! ===		=== Cut the loaded program! ===

Frollard: /* Using the machine */

2012-01-23T22:55:11Z

Using the machine

← Older revision		Revision as of 22:55, 23 January 2012
Line 56:		Line 56:

	----		----
			=== Load the program! ===
			See: [[Sample workflow]]


	=== Cut the loaded program! ===		=== Cut the loaded program! ===

Frollard: /* Load project and cut! */

2012-01-23T22:53:12Z

Load project and cut!

← Older revision		Revision as of 22:53, 23 January 2012
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	----		----

	=== ~~Load project and cut~~! ===		=== Cut the loaded program! ===
	Once a cut program has been loaded to the laser from the LaserCut5.1 software, the laser head should be aligned with the workpiece.		Once a cut program has been loaded to the laser from the LaserCut5.1 software, the laser head should be aligned with the workpiece.
	# Select the project loaded to the laser on the LCD menu, It is the text on the top right of the main menu.		# Select the project loaded to the laser on the LCD menu, It is the text on the top right of the main menu.
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	#* To pause the cut, press 'Start/Pause' again. One more press will resume where the program left off.		#* To pause the cut, press 'Start/Pause' again. One more press will resume where the program left off.
	#* To abort the current program (something is horribly wrong), press the stop key. This will abort the program and it will have to be restarted from the start. The head should home back to the origin from before the program was started.		#* To abort the current program (something is horribly wrong), press the stop key. This will abort the program and it will have to be restarted from the start. The head should home back to the origin from before the program was started.


	=== Shutting down the machine ===		=== Shutting down the machine ===