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6 Attachment(s)
50W CO2 Laser Machine Unboxing, Review, Modifications & More
The Box
The pallet it's on is 4' x 4'
Attachment 12367
It was nailed and bolted together with speed bolts.
The top off
The exhaust pipe is squished ... the bag contains leads manuals software etc...
Attachment 12368
A couple more sides off ...
I opened it up to take out the extras.
The air compressor
The water pump
The rotary table (4th axis)
This reduced the weight a bit
Attachment 12369
Attachment 12370
Once in the workshop, the tube compartment ... stuffed with air pocket packing
Attachment 12371
And the tube ... still in one piece :)
Attachment 12373
That all the photo's for now.
I'll get it into a suitable position tomorrow and set about commissioning it
More photos obviously.
Over all I'm very impressed with the build quality , considering it's half priced and Chinese !
The cabinet is well made, powder coated and fits well together.
All the catches and hinges work as they should.
It looks the job !
Happy so far :D
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Re: Laser cutting Machines
That looks very nice, great value too. Perhaps when you get it set up you can come up here and set mine up!!! Good luck. G.
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Re: Laser cutting Machines
Thanks G
I'll put on here how I get on.
From what I've read, your corner problem is common for 'beginners'
The laser power for cutting at full speed, is obviously more than is needed when it slows down for the corners ... I have no idea how to solve that ... A.T.M. I just know it needs solving :)
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Re: Laser cutting Machines
Looking good so far, thanks for sharing!
.Me
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Re: Laser cutting Machines
nearly ready to move it to a temporary working place .. at the cost of not having space to work at the mo !
This is it currently sat on my Wadkin table saw .. which isn't small !
Attachment 12375
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Re: Laser cutting Machines
hmmmm ... not there either, else I can't use any of my outfeed table !
It really is bigger than I had imagined with a tape measure in my hand ! lol ... doh !!!
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Re: Laser cutting Machines
ok ... this will work for now ... I can use my cross cut sled again :)
Attachment 12377
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Re: Laser cutting Machines
Water pump in bucket and air pump (silent!)
Attachment 12380
1st test cut ok :)
Attachment 12381
Is just the test pattern in the controller rom..
Cut 4mm MDF in default settings, 6mm in two passes.
I've not calibrated. aligned or focused yet, but all is good so far :)
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Re: Laser cutting Machines
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Re: Laser cutting Machines
How's the laser going ? I would love to know how your getting on with it. When you get going fully test some acrylic 6mm and over and see if it does the edge cut at 90* I ask because a guy who spent £7.5k on a 1200x900 laser told me they cut at a slight angle and not 90* So keep the pics coming and the video please.
Mike
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Re: Laser cutting Machines
Hi Mike
Not had a great deal of time with it yet, just getting used to the software (100 page manual)and put the laser on the network etc.
I haven't checked the beam path alignment yet either.
Then I'll need to make a test file up, to cut at different powers and speeds, to get to know how this machine handles .... apparently, they are all slightly different in personality, and you have to get to know them.
I also need a proper water tank, might need a chiller as the summer comes. Will have to get an air filter for the workshop compressor, so I can ditch the silly little air pump that came with the cutter and run a decent PSI through the air assist ... etc.. etc...
Just Ordered some ally honeycomb to make a bed... lots to do !
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Re: Laser cutting Machines
Mike all laser cutters will cut with a draft angle on the edge and not 90 degrees to the surface. this is down to the focus lens. The lens takes the 1mm wide co2 laser beam and concentates the beam down to a focused ~0.1mm dot. There is only a narrow range in which the beam is in focus, so with your 6mm sheet fir example maybe only 1mm is in focus then the beam starts the spread apart. Its this spreading of the beam that causes the non straight cuts. Hope that made sense?
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Re: Laser cutting Machines
Quote:
Originally Posted by
gavztheouch
Mike all laser cutters will cut with a draft angle on the edge and not 90 degrees to the surface. this is down to the focus lens. The lens takes the 1mm wide co2 laser beam and concentates the beam down to a focused ~0.1mm dot. There is only a narrow range in which the beam is in focus, so with your 6mm sheet fir example maybe only 1mm is in focus then the beam starts the spread apart. Its this spreading of the beam that causes the non straight cuts. Hope that made sense?
So, when setting the machine up, are we trying to find the “sweet spot” for the distance the laser is away from the material that it cuts with minimal draft angle but isn’t too close that the power needed to cut burns? the material, or is there more to it?
.Me
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Re: Laser cutting Machines
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Lee Roberts
So, when setting the machine up, are we trying to find the “sweet spot” for the distance the laser is away from the material that it cuts with minimal draft angle but isn’t too close that the power needed to cut burns? the material, or is there more to it?
.Me
haha ! MUCH more to it than that !
I'm just learning, but it depends a lot on the material being cut, then the thickness, and the focal length of the lens.
I'l post more as I learn, but for thin material a short focal length give a narrow 'pin point' for the 'z' if you like.
For thick material, you want a long focal length which gives a narrower 'pin point over a longer 'z'
Think of the beam as a triangle from the lens to the cut. then follow the lines through to make a cross (X) .
A short focus gives a stubby triangle (eg. 90deg V bit in CNC)
a long focus gives a tall pointy triangle. (eg. 60deg V bit in CNC)
Must get on with work now !!!
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Re: 50W CO2 Laser Machine Unboxing, Review, Modifications & More
BTW ... I wasn't laughing at you ...
but at the whole laser thing.
It seems most 'newB's inc. me, think you'll draw on the screen, then cut it on the laser ..
I found the learning curve like walking on a beach .. nice and gentle gradual rise until you buy a machine.
This just happens to be at the base of a cliff !!!
Sure, it 'might' cut something out of the box .. but to use it properly, is something else completely !
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Re: 50W CO2 Laser Machine Unboxing, Review, Modifications & More
Nice machine, I've almost finished my build(700x600) and have kept the cost under £800. If you need any help, let me know. I've been using them for around 4 years now for business :)
Also, the little pump that comes with it is better than you think, the idea is to keep the lens clear and the smoke out of the way of the cut. Too much pressure and you will cool the cut and it wont cut through :) I ditched my air compressor for a pond pump and it saved my sanity.
As for cooling, if your not short on space, get a water get a water butt and fill it. At 50w you will barely change the temp of the water.
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Re: 50W CO2 Laser Machine Unboxing, Review, Modifications & More
Thanks Isaac
What are you using for a controller ?
As for cooling .. I thought a couple of freezer ice packs a day in the bucket will do for a bit.
I just bought some honeycomb for the bed.. I bought from here ..
9.1mm (3/4) 3000 Alloy Aluminium Honeycomb to Buy Online - Easy Composites
as it was a lot cheaper than buying from the people selling it for laser beds ! .. I should get 4 beds out of this piece :)
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Re: 50W CO2 Laser Machine Unboxing, Review, Modifications & More
A small bucket like that is similar to one I used a few years ago. In the middle on June I was using 3-4 icepacks every hour :/
The honeycomb is cool stuff, I use it in this machine but want to try the mesh too.
I use a self built controller with mach3 and LinuxCNC, is that the AWC608 DSP with yours?
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Re: 50W CO2 Laser Machine Unboxing, Review, Modifications & More
the controller is from these people
SHENZHENREADER TECHNOLOGY CO.,LTD
it seems powerfull enough, and the software doesn't look too bad.
It's for windows, and I use Linux .. It loaded under wine ok in the house, but wont load so far on the workshop machine. so for now I dual boot to use it.
I can see me building a bigger machine, or extending this one. It looks like I could extend the Y axis out the front without much modification. But I need to build another CNC too .. busy busy !
What do you use your laser for ?
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Re: 50W CO2 Laser Machine Unboxing, Review, Modifications & More
ok, after googling DSP .. yes, mine looks like it is DSP :)
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Re: 50W CO2 Laser Machine Unboxing, Review, Modifications & More
Isaac
Can I ask where you got your tube and power supply from ?
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Re: 50W CO2 Laser Machine Unboxing, Review, Modifications & More
I got the supply from aliexpress and the tube from cncoletech on ebay :)
I use the big laser for sign/shape cutting and the small one for engraving mainly. Whats the plan for yours?
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Re: 50W CO2 Laser Machine Unboxing, Review, Modifications & More
ah .. I've seen coletech .. and wondered if they were to speck !? I was thinking of buying a higher power tube and power supply and upgrading my cutter. Keeping this one for backup.
Are you happy with the tube / process of shipping etc ?
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Re: 50W CO2 Laser Machine Unboxing, Review, Modifications & More
Yeah, first one arrived broken, I sent a couple of pics and within a couple of days he had another sent out to me :)
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Re: 50W CO2 Laser Machine Unboxing, Review, Modifications & More
was it signed for, then you found it broken ?
Or did you check before you signed for it ?
As I've seen that in the terms and conditions ?
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Re: 50W CO2 Laser Machine Unboxing, Review, Modifications & More
I signed then opened and found it broken. If you refuse delivery I believe you can drive to the parcelforce mail center and open it on their premises to check it.
The coletech guy was fine, within 10 mins of me sending the pics he told me another was being sent :)
I bitched about it on twitter to parcelforce.
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Re: 50W CO2 Laser Machine Unboxing, Review, Modifications & More
ok .. the deal breaker ! ... would you buy from them again ?
My parcelforce is 5 mins away, but no guarantee that is who it will arrive by !
I'm really impressed with the capabilities of the software and controller etc. .. you can set laser power as a percentage of speed, so it doesn't burn in the corners etc .. Lot's to learn .. but I'm very glad I didn't go with the cheaper option :) It does path optimisation, recover from failed run/power fault .. loads of advanced features !
I can see me ordering another when I get it up and in production :)
.. and then another ....
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Re: 50W CO2 Laser Machine Unboxing, Review, Modifications & More
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Want2build1
ok .. the deal breaker ! ... would you buy from them again ?
My parcelforce is 5 mins away, but no guarantee that is who it will arrive by !
I'm really impressed with the capabilities of the software and controller etc. .. you can set laser power as a percentage of speed, so it doesn't burn in the corners etc .. Lot's to learn .. but I'm very glad I didn't go with the cheaper option :) It does path optimisation, recover from failed run/power fault .. loads of advanced features !
I can see me ordering another when I get it up and in production :)
.. and then another ....
They send by EMS who is delivered by Parcelforce in the UK. I would definitely buy from them again they were quick to reply and kept to their promise of sending again if it arrives broken :)
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Re: 50W CO2 Laser Machine Unboxing, Review, Modifications & More
Thanks .. usefull info :)
another question missed .. what do you cut with yours ?
MDF ? Plastic ? Engraving ?? etc ..
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Re: 50W CO2 Laser Machine Unboxing, Review, Modifications & More
All of the above :) Plywood too.
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Re: 50W CO2 Laser Machine Unboxing, Review, Modifications & More
:)
Ta
I'm looking for a supplier for laser/birch ply 1.5 and 3mm
Any hints ?
My local woodyard says their supplier is 4mm minimum
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Re: 50W CO2 Laser Machine Unboxing, Review, Modifications & More
I use Hobarts and Hindleys, and Slec for thinner stuff :)
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Re: 50W CO2 Laser Machine Unboxing, Review, Modifications & More
HPC laser do some nice quality laser ply
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Re: 50W CO2 Laser Machine Unboxing, Review, Modifications & More
Ta :)
Is that in trade qty ?
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Re: 50W CO2 Laser Machine Unboxing, Review, Modifications & More
Last time I tried with HPC they wouldn't post. Hindleys has a £7 flat rate for next day delivery(if you order in the morning) and they have cheap acrylic too.
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Re: 50W CO2 Laser Machine Unboxing, Review, Modifications & More
with medite mdf I ususally buy 40 sheets 1220x2440 every month, so these little sheets seem a bit odd !
(so that's 320 sheets 600x600)
I'll contact them and see what they say ..
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Re: 50W CO2 Laser Machine Unboxing, Review, Modifications & More
Medite MDF is fine for laser work.
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Re: 50W CO2 Laser Machine Unboxing, Review, Modifications & More
That's what I'd read.... just considering offering birch ply too, and acrylic ... and ... :)
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Re: 50W CO2 Laser Machine Unboxing, Review, Modifications & More
Just a very quick update ...
Something I hadn't considered ! ... dust !
I make tons of it with the CNC router...
Absolutely no good at all for the laser optics ! lol ... really obvious, but I overlooked it ..
I have another dust extractor being delivered today, and will be making a lot of changes to get the workshop dust down as much as posible.
The laser has an exhaust fan, which blows all the fumes outside... but, the air in the machine has to be replaced from somewhere ... that somewhere is the room it's in, and hence the air quality will make a difference to your machine use.
2 problems with dust.. 1st dust on the optics will reduce the output at the cutting point.
2nd, and most important.. the laser beam will heat any dust it sees in it's path. If it happens to be on a mirror or focus lens, then it will heat them, and potentially destroy them !
Cleaning and aligning the optics should be a regular task anyway, but a dusty room is an non starter !
Apart from that, I'm happy to say I've learned enough so far to put the machine to use and have started selling it's output :)
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Re: 50W CO2 Laser Machine Unboxing, Review, Modifications & More
another small update ...
Machine is working wel
Issues I need to deal with ..
Smoke !!!
I he\t my workshop with a log burner .. and worrie about upsetting the neighbours ! I'm a fair bit away from them at the workshop, but the laser is making much more smoke than the woodburner !!! ... I didn't expect that !! ... will be figuring out how to deal with the, and let you know how I get on.
Cooling !
I'm using the laser a couple og=f hours a day at the mo ..water is typicaly 18deg in the morning. I can get a couple of hours cutting and it's up to 30ged ... which I don't want to go beyond. I have a cheapey thermometer with a temp probe I leave in the bucket.
imeadiate solution .. ice packs or froxen water in bottles .. or bigger bucket.
longer tme solutions .. second hand/freebie/recycled freezer .. modded with tubes/pipes etc.. to keep everything cool ...
will update as and when :)