Difference between revisions of "Laser Cutter"

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(Adjusted formatting, added recommended acrylic vendors)
 
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== Info ==
 
{{Template:Equipment
 
{{Template:Equipment
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|owner= The Maker Station (Donated by: the good people at BuildYourCNC.com)
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|owner= The Maker Station  
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|serial=Prototype
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|serial=
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|model=Blacktooth Laser Cutter Engraver
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|model=Orion 60 Watt
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|arrived=When mid 2015
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|arrived=2020
 
|usagerestrictions=[[File:Warning.png]]Restricted Usage/Training Required[[File:Warning.png]]
 
|usagerestrictions=[[File:Warning.png]]Restricted Usage/Training Required[[File:Warning.png]]
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|contact= Mike Ross
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|contact= #laser-cutter channel on Slack
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|where=Back shop near the roll up door
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|where=Back shop unit 2 near the roll up door for now
 
}}
 
}}
  
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== Info ==
 
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General Description space...
 
 
[[File:LaserCutter Safety.png|right|text-top|400px]]  
 
[[File:LaserCutter Safety.png|right|text-top|400px]]  
 
'''General Specs'''
 
'''General Specs'''
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* It is a 40 watt laser
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* It is a 60 watt laser
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* x approx 600 mm
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* x approx 700 mm
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* y approx 300 mm
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* y approx 500 mm
 
* z
 
* z
  
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* DO NOT cut material containing chlorine atoms or molecules [[File:Skullcrossbones.png]][[File:Skullcrossbones.png]][[File:Skullcrossbones.png]]
 
* DO NOT cut material containing chlorine atoms or molecules [[File:Skullcrossbones.png]][[File:Skullcrossbones.png]][[File:Skullcrossbones.png]]
 
* How to test unknown plastics to see if they contain chlorine: https://vimeo.com/1615418
 
* How to test unknown plastics to see if they contain chlorine: https://vimeo.com/1615418
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*
 
  
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== Basic Instructions ==
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===Places to purchase acrylic and laser cutting material===
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=== Generating GCODE using Laserweb ===
 
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Laserweb: https://github.com/LaserWeb/LaserWeb4/wiki
 
  
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# Start with the "Files" section. Click "Add Document" and add one of several file types.  [[File:warning.png]]Note:  If the file is vector format, you can create cuts that follow the vectors.  If you load image formats like png, bitmap, etc, you are limited to "raster" cuts.
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Piedmont Plastics - in Dacula
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# Once you have added a document, you can drag the entire document (or a layer of that document) to the section titled "Drag document(s) here to add".
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Canal Plastics
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# Once the document is there, you chose your cut type from the pulldown that probably defaults to "Laser Cut".  The options are pretty self-explanatory, but feel free to ask on the #laser-cutter channel on Slack for clarification.
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TAP Plastics
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# Once you choose your cut type, you must fill in the following: "Laser Power", start at 40% for your cardboard.  Passes 1, Cut Rate 200, Segment .5 
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McMaster-Carr - in Douglasville; you can pick up at the location by calling ahead
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# [[File:warning.png]] Important: Now look in the "GCODE" section and click "Generate".  Watch the progress bar. 
 
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# When it is complete, click the "eye" icon and look at the code.  More than 20 lines of code?  Good.  Less than 20?  Bad, try again, player one.
 
  
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=== GCODE with Fusion 360 ===
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Be prepared to soak cast acrylic in warm water to remove the protective paper.
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* [[Generating GCODE for the Blacktooth Laser Cutter with Fusion 360]]
 
  
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=== GCODE with Inkscape ===
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The extruded acrylic from big box stores, such as the Optix brand from Lowes, cuts very slowly and is prone to catching fire. The cast acrylic from the above industrial vendors are recommended.
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* [[Generating GCODE for the Blacktooth Laser Cutter with Inkscape]]
 
  
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=== Powering Up ===
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== Basic Instructions ==
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# Remove dust cover and make sure area is free of obstructions both inside the laser cutter and in the surrounding area.
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=== Use Lightburn to design and control the laser===
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# Plug in and turn on the powerstrip behind the laser cutter
 
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# Make sure the water pump is running, that water is flowing through through the feeder tubes to the laser, and that there are NO leaks!
 
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# Power up the computer running the CAM software
 
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# Plug in the USB connection to the controller board on the side of the laser cutter
 
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# Turn on the Motor Controller switch on the side of the laser cutter
 
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# Turn on the Laser Cutter switch on the side of the box to power the laser.
 
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# Make sure the "puffer" pump and the exhaust fan is running.
 
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# To disperse any fumes or smoke, extend the vent hose to exhaust outside underneath the roll-up door.
 
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=== Test Alignment and Focus ===
 
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# Launch the "CNC USB Controller" application from the desktop
 
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# You can use the X and Y inputs in the application to jog the laser head to the appropriate position. (there is an alignment cutout placed inside the laser cutter that basically shows the zero reference point)
 
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# It is recommended to perform a straight line cut on an angled block to determine the proper height of material for the best focus. (Z is not easily adjustable, so shimming material is the current method.)
 
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## (Add link to sample gcode to cut test line)
 
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# Shim your material to the property height as determined by the previous step
 
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# Perform test cuts on your desired material and adjust power setting (potentiometer on side of laser cutter box) to find appropriate levels. (Less is better, try to find the minimum power that will make sufficient cuts to reduce burning)
 
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=== Cutting ===
 
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# Launch the "CNC USB Controller" application from the desktop
 
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# Import your GCODE for your desired cut.
 
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# '''NOTE''' Make sure you do not have any G28 commands in your gcode!! This will home the laser which will include the Z-axis. On this cutter, moving the Z axis DOWN will fire the laser. Moving Z axis UP will turn off the laser.
 
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# Jog the laser to the appropriate position on your material relative to your model to be cut and set the new zero point with the appropriate left toolbar button.
 
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# '''DO NOT HIT "Go to Zero"!''' See above.
 
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# Hit the play button to execute your gcode
 
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=== Stopping ===
 
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If your material starts to burn, stop the processing, and immediately extinguish the flames.
 
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# If the gcode is running, hit the Stop button TWICE!
 
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# If the laser is on, jog the Z axis up, to turn it off
 
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# If the laser is still on, turn off the Laser switch on the side of the laser cutter box
 
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== Advanced Operational Knowledge  ==
 
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There are some more advanced tasks that not everyone needs to know to do XXXXX, but needs to know to troubleshoot:
 
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#
 
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# Autodesk Fusion laser Cutter(Water jet mode) primer: http://fusion360.autodesk.com/learning/learning.html?guid=GUID-C14B9F20-3A39-4930-971E-BDFE268384B9
 
  
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https://lightburnsoftware.com/
 
== Warnings ==
 
== Warnings ==
  

Latest revision as of 12:46, 12 August 2022

Info

Back to list of Equipment


  • Owner/Loaner: The Maker Station
  • Serial Number:
  • Make/Model: Orion 60 Watt
  • Arrival Date: 2020
  • Usability: Warning.pngRestricted Usage/Training RequiredWarning.png
  • Contact: #laser-cutter channel on Slack
  • Where: Back shop unit 2 near the roll up door for now


LaserCutter Safety.png

General Specs

  • It is a 60 watt laser
  • x approx 700 mm
  • y approx 500 mm
  • z

Permissions

  • Warning.pngRestricted Access Warning.png TRAINING REQUIRED Warning.png
  • Contact knowledgeable makerspace members using the #laser-cutter channel on Slack for training and access to the lasercutter
  • Treat equipment as if it were your own and put away as or better than you found it
  • Allow time for cleaning up after work is complete

Restrictions

  • DO NOT cut material containing chlorine atoms or molecules Skullcrossbones.pngSkullcrossbones.pngSkullcrossbones.png
  • How to test unknown plastics to see if they contain chlorine: https://vimeo.com/1615418

Places to purchase acrylic and laser cutting material

Piedmont Plastics - in Dacula Canal Plastics TAP Plastics McMaster-Carr - in Douglasville; you can pick up at the location by calling ahead

Be prepared to soak cast acrylic in warm water to remove the protective paper.

The extruded acrylic from big box stores, such as the Optix brand from Lowes, cuts very slowly and is prone to catching fire. The cast acrylic from the above industrial vendors are recommended.

Basic Instructions

Use Lightburn to design and control the laser

https://lightburnsoftware.com/

Warnings

  • Keep loose hair and sleeves away from all moving parts.
  • Beware of hot parts.
  • Beware of dust, fumes, choking hazards.
  • Never leave machine unattended


Safety Warning.png

  • Do not stare at the laser, it is very bright and can damage your vision
  • Do not operate the laser with the lid open
  • Do not look through any cutouts or openings at the firing laser. It can damage your vision.
  • Make sure the exhaust is vented as appropriate for the materials you are cutting.
  • If you are cutting plastics, make sure you understand what exhaust gases will be produced. Skullcrossbones.pngSome are toxic!!Skullcrossbones.png
  • Never leave the laser cutter operating unattended for any reason! EVER! This poses a very real fire hazard and should be monitored at all times.

File:WarningLaser.png

References
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