Messages

6781

Show"N"Tell ( Your Machines) / Re: The Laser Project.

« on: May 08, 2010, 03:39:46 AM »

Good suggestion about the glass - thank you.

Tweakie.

6782

Show"N"Tell ( Your Machines) / Re: The Laser Project.

« on: May 07, 2010, 05:12:46 AM »

Hi Jammerm,

I think that Photo Etching is basically a 'raster process' and the purpose built raster laser machines have lightweight X and Y axis to allow high speeds and accelerations thus allowing the laser beam to possibly travel many miles and complete the job within a reasonable period of time.

Because my machine is basically a wood router and the mass of both the X & Y axis is quite high I think I will just have to content myself with vector use at present.  

Having tried a few different materials now I can confirm that Granite, Glass and Slate all engrave well (although I am expecting the glass to shatter anytime soon as I must have put incredible internal stresses into the material).

Tweakie.

6783

General Mach Discussion / Re: New people welcome !! Come in here and introduce your self!

« on: May 02, 2010, 02:34:10 AM »

Hi Jake,

Post your problem, with as much detail as possible, under the 'General Mach Discussion' topic and I am certain that suggestions to resolve the issue will be made pretty quickly. There are a great many members here only too willing to help you.

Tweakie.

6784

General Mach Discussion / Re: Z-axis Auto zero wiring

« on: May 01, 2010, 08:26:37 AM »

Hi Dan,

The 'auto tool zero' is accomplished when the touch plate(which is positive) is pulled to zero when in contact with the tool. Therefore your input pin 12 has to be pulled high (this can be accomplished by changing the jumper X5 on the C10 board).

CNC4PC do give instructions for setting up and using auto tool zero with the C10 here:-  http://cnc4pc.com/Tech_Docs/C10R10_USER_MANUAL_V2.pdf

Tweakie.

6785

General Mach Discussion / Re: THIS IS DEDICATED TO "HOOD"

« on: May 01, 2010, 08:08:58 AM »

I second it all 'Hood is the greatest'. His assistance and knowledge is invaluable to us all. Thank you Hood.

Tweakie.

6786

Show"N"Tell ( Your Machines) / Re: The Laser Project.

« on: April 30, 2010, 01:14:15 PM »

I think I ate the roadrunner bit, that just left Wile. 

Tweakie.

6787

Show"N"Tell ( Your Machines) / Re: The Laser Project.

« on: April 30, 2010, 12:58:32 PM »

I had boiled eggs for breakfast this morning and while I was dunkin my soldiers I thought " I wonder if..... ".
The answer is yes you can. 

Tweakie.

6788

Show"N"Tell ( Your Machines) / Re: The Laser Project.

« on: April 28, 2010, 10:27:10 AM »

Hi Dan,

Thanks for the suggestions / ideas - anything and everything is appreciated. I have just so much learning to do here.

Tweakie.

6789

Show"N"Tell ( Your Machines) / Re: The Laser Project.

« on: April 28, 2010, 08:10:17 AM »

Hi Dan,

Yes it does have a draft angle because the beam converges from the lens to the exact focal point whereupon it diverges again. I am currently looking at ways to improve this situation either by using a lens with a greater useful focal length or multi-pass cutting at reduced power with Z movement resetting the focal distance on each pass.

The edge finish is not perfect with some vertical styrations similar to a bandsaw cut but at least it is polished and so looks acceptable - I need more practice and experience here !.

The picture was taken with flash and the acrylic is on a sheet of brushed alluminium - Quite a nice effect I thought !.

I will post some more pictures when the camera battery has been recharged.

Tweakie.

6790

Show"N"Tell ( Your Machines) / Re: The Laser Project.

« on: April 28, 2010, 06:52:41 AM »

By way of an update on this project:-

The DRO struggled to display the tube current a low power settings and has been replaced by a retro moving coil panel meter straight out of the 1960's. A new scale was engraved with the laser and a suitable shunt fitted to calibrate the meter.

   

This is my first attempt with cutting acrylic. The red is 2mm and the clear is 6mm thick.

   

Tweakie.