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80 watt laser engraver: Difference between revisions
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== Gotchas == | == Gotchas == | ||
*ALWAYS DOUBLE CHECK THAT WATER PUMP IS RUNNING, it is turned on by plugging in extra cord that comes out of water cooler | *ALWAYS DOUBLE CHECK THAT WATER PUMP IS RUNNING, it is turned on by plugging in extra cord that comes out of water cooler | ||
*ALWAYS BE READY TO HIT THE ESTOP BUTTON (BIG RED GUY) if something is not doing what you think it should you can stop it with the small stop button but that may not react fast enough, when it doubt hit the ESTOP reset and try again. | |||
*cutting order is often strange, don't freak out if it looks like it skipped a section, it will come back | *cutting order is often strange, don't freak out if it looks like it skipped a section, it will come back | ||
*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) | ||
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*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. | ||
*DXFs exported directly from SketchUp via the plugin linked below tend to crash LaserCut5.1 first filter them through autocad on the laser laptop, see the sample workflow below. | *DXFs exported directly from SketchUp via the plugin linked below tend to crash LaserCut5.1 first filter them through autocad on the laser laptop, see the sample workflow below. | ||
*Always save your project in LaserCut5.1, you never know when it will crash and the laser is routinely emptied of all files. | |||
*Sometimes the laser keypad will not respond to certain input (laser, test, jog) hit ESC once or twice should put it in a mode that will accept input. | |||
*The pause button seems to work, but resuming gives odd behavior, it's probably best to stop and start again. | |||
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# Turn off power to back of unit | # Turn off power to back of unit | ||
== | == Cut Guidelines == | ||
These charts are intended to give you a starting range, from which you must dial in with testing, use scrap that is the same material and thickness as your intended work piece and use a small test pattern(laser coin) to fine tune your desired results | |||
charts of material x thickness | charts of material x thickness | ||
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*use test to setup work piece | *use test to setup work piece | ||
*cut | *cut | ||
== Laser Coin == | |||
To test etch and cut speed and power settings as well as the focus: | |||
# Follow the start up procedure as above | |||
# Load the LaserCut5.1 project (file open) desktop\protospace random\codohundo\LaserCut2012.01 | |||
# Using the above charts as guidelines, set the first layer to your chosen etching settings by double clicking the first layer and filling in the selected properties | |||
# Set the next two layers to your chosen cut settings using the same procedure | |||
# Download the coin project to the laser by clicking on the download button, this will bring up a dialog that shows all files currently on the laser, select delete all, then download current, this shouldn't take very long | |||
# Ensure the work area is clear of all obstructions and the laser head is starting safely away from the edges and has enough room to travel, use the arrow keys to jog the head over to a safe starting location if necessary, this project is small so starting in the middle is safe. | |||
# Select a scrap of the same material and thickness at least 3cm x 3cm and place it under the cutting head with the head starting at the upper left hand corner of the test piece | |||
# Hover one hand over the ESTOP button (BIG RED GUY) and be ready to hit it if the head is going to crash into the side, please do not allow it to do this, if in doubt please e-stop it and start over. On the laser control panel hit test and watch the path of the laser, it should stay within the confines of the test piece, if not adjust and retest or select a larger scrap. | |||
# Ensure the lid is closed, the exhaust fan is on, and the circulation pump is plugged in, then press start. | |||
# If the results are satisfactory you can now start setting up your project following the same basic procedure, otherwise adjust the settings and test again. | |||
Note if the etch isn't smooth but otherwise looks good, try bumping down the speed of the etch layer and bumping down the power, keeping in mind that power settings below %30 are unreliable. | |||