Messages

7621

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

« on: May 13, 2010, 01:29:32 AM »

Thanks Guys, you have given me new ideas to try.

Tweakie.

7622

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

« on: May 12, 2010, 11:17:51 AM »

Interesting but not quite what I had intended. This Calcium Carbonate is tough stuff and I was intending to go right through but despite two passes, no luck. Increasing the power setting was a total failure resulting in a burned mess.

Back to the drawing board with this one – I am sure it is feasible anyone have any ideas ?.

Thanks to Switcher for the DXF http://mydxf.blogspot.com/

Tweakie.

7623

General Mach Discussion / Re: Making a laser cutter

« on: May 12, 2010, 10:52:05 AM »

 

Not sure I fully understand but the laser lens assembly is lifted out and the spindle motor fitted in it's place when I need it. The black tube surrounding the spindle motor is it's air cooling jacket (there is a fan in there, at the top).

Tweakie.

7624

General Mach Discussion / Re: Making a laser cutter

« on: May 12, 2010, 08:19:46 AM »

Hi Furkan,

If you haven't tried it already then I think 'Isolation Routing' is the way to go for PCB's - no more acid, no more mess.

   http://www.cooperman.talktalk.net/circuit5.wmv

Tweakie.

7625

General Mach Discussion / Re: Making a laser cutter

« on: May 12, 2010, 07:25:52 AM »

Just out of interest, I have recently read a suggestion that is basically as follows:-

Coat the copper side of the PCB material with a very thin layer of photocopy toner. Use the laser to draw the intended circuit and thereby melt/fuse the toner onto the copper surface (low power setting). Remove excess toner and acid etch the PCB. Remove toner with wire wool and tin PCB etc.

Anybody like to try this and see if it works ?.

Tweakie.

7626

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.

7627

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.

7628

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.

7629

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.

7630

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.