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80 watt laser engraver: Difference between revisions
→Using the machine
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The laser is now active and ready to accept instructions from the laptop. | The laser is now active and ready to accept instructions from the laptop. | ||
'''Warning | '''Warning!''' The laser is a stand-alone unit and ''can move/execute programs/fire the laser with the laptop disconnected.'' | ||
=== Focusing the Laser === | === Focusing the Laser === | ||
[[File:LaserPath.png|300px|thumb|right|Figure 1. laser path visualization]] | [[File:LaserPath.png|300px|thumb|right|Figure 1. laser path visualization]] | ||
Use the Z+ and Z- buttons to raise and lower the table. There are a few considerations when selecting a focal depth:<br> | |||
'''Warning!''' The Z+ and Z- keys work independently of any software control. It is possible to change the z height to values that would crash the the workpiece into laser head, particularly while the laser is operational. Be very cognizant of where everything is while you are moving the table! | |||
Depending on the thickness of the material and whether you are cutting or engraving you will need to set an appropriate focal distance. The beam does not come out of the lens parallel, but in fact is conically shaped. See: Figure 1. | Depending on the thickness of the material and whether you are cutting or engraving you will need to set an appropriate focal distance. The beam does not come out of the lens parallel, but in fact is conically shaped. See: Figure 1. | ||
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For engraving, you want the focal point right on the surface for the fastest/most efficient results. | For engraving, you want the focal point right on the surface for the fastest/most efficient results. | ||
For cutting, you want the focal point to be near the midpoint of the thickness of the material so that it makes the straightest edges on the cuts. See Figure 2. | For cutting, you want the focal point to be near the midpoint of the thickness of the material so that it makes the straightest edges on the cuts. See Figure 2.<br> | ||
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=== Load project and cut! === | |||
Once a cut program has been loaded to the laser from the LaserCut5.1 software, the laser head should be aligned with the workpiece. | |||
# Select the project loaded to the laser on the LCD menu, It is the text on the top right of the main menu. | |||
#* Multiple files can be loaded on the machine. | |||
#* The file should be 'selected' (highlighted black box over the name). If not, press the ESC key to reload the main menu and the file will be selected. | |||
#* Pressing the left/right key should cycle through the loaded files. | |||
# Jog the laser head to the intended origin with the arrow keys | |||
#* In order for the jog keys to work, nothing can be selected on the menu, hit ESC so that no text is highlighted on the screen. When done, to return to a working mode ESC must be pressed again to select the file. | |||
#* This is the same origin as set in the loaded file; it can be anywhere on the table. Common selections are 'top left' of the piece or 'centre' of the workpiece. | |||
# Ensure the workpiece is aligned by using the 'Test' function. | |||
#* The machine is unaware of the head's location, and will happily destroy itself if bad instructions are given. | |||
#* Be ready to shut down the machine if the head appears to be going out of bounds. | |||
#* Press the 'Test' key to have the laser head draw a bounding box around the outer limits of your project. | |||
# Once everything is aligned, press the 'Start/Pause' key to start the cut. | |||
#* To pause the cut, press 'Start/Pause' again. One more press will resume where the program left off. | |||
#* To abort the current program (something is horribly wrong), press the stop key. This will abort the program and it will have to be restarted from the start. The head should home back to the origin from before the program was started. | |||