PDA

View Full Version : Newbie question re converting my 6040 machine to use a laser



GaryWilliams
13-08-2015, 03:23 PM
Hi All,

I have a beautiful chinese 6040 cnc machine that has a cylindrical, water cooled VFM cutter fitted. It works a treat and now that I am getting used to Artcam, I am actually cutting MDF! (OK, fairly basic, but I'm happy). Is it possible to replace the VFM with a laser cutter? Has anyone actually succeded in doing this? I can see that a big issue seems to be that most laser cutters have their laser tubes mounted horizontally.

Cheers

Gary

Tenson
16-10-2015, 08:21 PM
I'm also curious about the answer to this in a general way.

I have a self built router and I wonder what would be involved in making it dual purpose and swapping a laser onto it?? Is it as easy as a PSU and a laser, then using a suitable CAM? I cut a lot of small pieces from plywood with straight edges so I imagine a laser could save me a lot of work with hold-down and finishing.

Tenson
19-10-2015, 03:09 PM
A little research shows one doesn't just fit a laser head onto the machine - most use a pretty large laser tube that is water cooled and then direct the beam with mirrors to the cutter head.