Post by jimustanguitar on Feb 23, 2014 15:01:03 GMT -5
I've been throwing around designs for several different machines in my head this week, and I've been thinking about ordering a ShapeOko mechanicals only kit to add a laser tube and mirros/lens to...
I know it would need an enclosure, exhaust, and steppers/driver, etc but I think the inventables kit is probably the most economical way to get nice linear x/y motion to start the build with...
How crazy am I?
Last Edit: Sept 29, 2014 23:23:34 GMT -5 by jimustanguitar
Post by jimustanguitar on Feb 23, 2014 20:05:26 GMT -5
I don't really know what wattage I'd need to cut 1\4" plywood or melamine (hopefully Brian knows) but they sell just about everything between 40w and 100w. I think 60 or 80 would do the trick.
We could turn your mill into a dual tool machine (the Z axis, not the boneheads using it).
Post by jimustanguitar on Feb 25, 2014 8:47:55 GMT -5
Shapeoko ordered...
It seems like a nice enough way to get clean XY motion, and the Makerslide makes it scalable on the cheap. I think I'll get a 12"x12" cutter up and running (not soon obviously), and then see what changes I want to make after using it for a while.
Step 1 will be figuring out the best way to mount the mirrors on the gantry.
Post by bvandiepenbos on Mar 4, 2014 2:02:47 GMT -5
100 watts will cut 1/4 melamine fairly well, 80 would be slow and not as clean of cut. most 1/4" plywood does NOT cut nice, if at all with even 100 watts.
I would build a system like the Lasersaur, I looked into it pretty heavy a year or so ago and it looks well designed and reasonable cost for something that is not just a toy.
The Blacktooth plans look interesting, I had not seen it before.
Post by jimustanguitar on Sept 29, 2014 23:21:49 GMT -5
I'm gearing up to work on my laser project again. I'll design the mirror and head mounts and print them, and I've got ideas for most of the other pieces except for the enclosure and the air supply.
I think the enclosure will improvise itself as I go, but I don't have a good plan for the compressed air to the nozzle. According to John 17, industrial lasers run at 2-3psi. Is there a small DC air pump kind of device that could provide this sort of flow continuous and on demand instead of hooking up a real compressor and regulator? Is there a bigger version of what Glenn uses to pump air in his tank monitors?
Creative ideas for enclosure and exhaust concepts are welcome too.