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FrozenGate by Avery
DIY Laser Cutter Project
- Thread starter Things
- Start date
Re: My holiday project - DIY Laser Cutter
Getting a bit further with it. Mounted the CO2 laser "table", and had a much around with the optic mount positioning etc
I have a few L brackets for the optics on the way, should make alignment much easier.
I've also been granted permission to use the schools CNC machine to cut parts, so I'll be cutting some CO2 tube mounts from 12mm thick acrylic hopefully this week. I should be able to have some burning by next weekend if I have time, but a few last assignments due (End of year 12 yay!
), so maybe not for another week or 2 yet once they're all over.
All my optic mounts will be on L brackets, just put it there to see.
Getting a bit further with it. Mounted the CO2 laser "table", and had a much around with the optic mount positioning etc
I have a few L brackets for the optics on the way, should make alignment much easier.
I've also been granted permission to use the schools CNC machine to cut parts, so I'll be cutting some CO2 tube mounts from 12mm thick acrylic hopefully this week. I should be able to have some burning by next weekend if I have time, but a few last assignments due (End of year 12 yay!
), so maybe not for another week or 2 yet once they're all over.
All my optic mounts will be on L brackets, just put it there to see.
- Joined
- Jun 19, 2010
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Re: My holiday project - DIY Laser Cutter
Glad to see this project is still alive!
I'v been following all the ins and outs from the start and love what I'm seeing.:beer::beer:
Thanks for keeping us all posted on your progress!
Glad to see this project is still alive!
I'v been following all the ins and outs from the start and love what I'm seeing.:beer::beer:
Thanks for keeping us all posted on your progress!
LaZeRz
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Re: My holiday project - DIY Laser Cutter
Wow! That things coming along beautifully! Can't wait to see the finished result!
Just one question though... how are you going to be placing your ZnSe lens?, More specifically, where?
Cheers :beer:
Wow! That things coming along beautifully! Can't wait to see the finished result!
Just one question though... how are you going to be placing your ZnSe lens?, More specifically, where?
Cheers :beer:
Last edited:
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Re: My holiday project - DIY Laser Cutter
I like your acrylic Laser mounts... very professional looking.
I've been watching this thread to see this come to fruition...
You do some nice work...
Jerry
I like your acrylic Laser mounts... very professional looking.
I've been watching this thread to see this come to fruition...
You do some nice work...
Jerry
LaZeRz
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Re: My holiday project - DIY Laser Cutter
Aah nice. I was thinking it went somewhere around those mounts
Aah nice. I was thinking it went somewhere around those mounts
Re: My holiday project - DIY Laser Cutter
Well, I was getting excited as I'm now at the point where the alignment is only off by a few mm! But I discovered something that is gonna put a hold on this even further
I noticed that the Y axis would actually be aligned fine at one end, go out of alignment at the middle, then come back into alignment at the other end. Well, turns out the 10mm diameter rods I'm using for the Y axis are too weak, and are flexing very slightly in the middle
This means I'm probably going to have to upgrade to 16 or 20mm (Same as the X axis), but I've run out of money at this point in time
Well, I was getting excited as I'm now at the point where the alignment is only off by a few mm! But I discovered something that is gonna put a hold on this even further
I noticed that the Y axis would actually be aligned fine at one end, go out of alignment at the middle, then come back into alignment at the other end. Well, turns out the 10mm diameter rods I'm using for the Y axis are too weak, and are flexing very slightly in the middle
This means I'm probably going to have to upgrade to 16 or 20mm (Same as the X axis), but I've run out of money at this point in time
HIMNL9
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Re: My holiday project - DIY Laser Cutter
This can be solved in a pair of different ways, for "long" carriages ..... using 2 (or 3, at angle) 20mm bars, or adding a sort of "rail" and rollers for support the weight of the focusing holder.
Both the systems have advantages and disadvantages, and depending from the structure of your supports, can require some extra work and the placement of some diagonal reinforcers.
This can be solved in a pair of different ways, for "long" carriages ..... using 2 (or 3, at angle) 20mm bars, or adding a sort of "rail" and rollers for support the weight of the focusing holder.
Both the systems have advantages and disadvantages, and depending from the structure of your supports, can require some extra work and the placement of some diagonal reinforcers.
piferal
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Re: My holiday project - DIY Laser Cutter
IMHO the system guidance of your y-axis arm, with those 2 bars so thin for this distance, is not a good choice.
A much more rigid, precise and safe to avoid excessive tolerances in the path of the arm, it would be something like this.
IMHO the system guidance of your y-axis arm, with those 2 bars so thin for this distance, is not a good choice.
A much more rigid, precise and safe to avoid excessive tolerances in the path of the arm, it would be something like this.
Re: My holiday project - DIY Laser Cutter
Yeah, I've seen that diagram, but since I'm using the vertical optic mount, it'd have to be mounted vertically. Also, I can't really get access to those parts here in Australia. A single 1 metre piece of t-slot is $40!
Yeah, I've seen that diagram, but since I'm using the vertical optic mount, it'd have to be mounted vertically. Also, I can't really get access to those parts here in Australia. A single 1 metre piece of t-slot is $40!
HIMNL9
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Re: My holiday project - DIY Laser Cutter
If you cannot modify too much the original design, but can get some "L" shaped and "U" shaped alu bars, there is a possible alternative solution ..... not the better one in absolute, but it can work.
Going to eat now, when i come back, i try to draw some examples using a pair of your pics ..... in these cases, images are always better than words
If you cannot modify too much the original design, but can get some "L" shaped and "U" shaped alu bars, there is a possible alternative solution ..... not the better one in absolute, but it can work.
Going to eat now, when i come back, i try to draw some examples using a pair of your pics ..... in these cases, images are always better than words
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Re: My holiday project - DIY Laser Cutter
Cool project thanks for sharing.
Cool project thanks for sharing.
Re: My holiday project - DIY Laser Cutter
Haven't done an update on this for a looonnnggg time. I recently just moved down with my dad, who is a mech engineer. He seems very interested in getting the laser cutter up and running, as he wants to cut out some model aircraft parts to which he can attach a motor and actually fly them.
We are working on getting all my stuff here to the new house, so then we can hopefully get it running once and for all.
I've decided i'm going to aim to get a DSP controller, as mach3 doesn't seem to want to play ball with me
Haven't done an update on this for a looonnnggg time. I recently just moved down with my dad, who is a mech engineer. He seems very interested in getting the laser cutter up and running, as he wants to cut out some model aircraft parts to which he can attach a motor and actually fly them.
We are working on getting all my stuff here to the new house, so then we can hopefully get it running once and for all.
I've decided i'm going to aim to get a DSP controller, as mach3 doesn't seem to want to play ball with me