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Author Topic: use laser cut on mach3  (Read 7326 times)

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use laser cut on mach3
« on: June 19, 2009, 11:13:21 AM »
is there anyone using mach3 to drive a laser for cutting thin metal, styrene, sintra, pvc foam and gator material. what brand did you use, is there a list of supplier that I can try. any problem that I might encounter on this application?
Thanks.

Offline Tweakie.CNC

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Re: use laser cut on mach3
« Reply #1 on: June 29, 2009, 08:39:25 AM »
« Last Edit: June 29, 2009, 08:41:05 AM by Tweakie.CNC »
PEACE
Re: use laser cut on mach3
« Reply #2 on: June 29, 2009, 09:25:51 AM »
thanks for the info,
it is very nice, when you cut, how to control the burn mark? I want to cut paper board about 18pt or 24pts. white with uv ink print on it.
where did you buy the laser that you use, and the rating of the power supply used to drive it?
you are using mach3 to control the laser too?
I find this laser from ebay
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&item=180339741343
what do you think from this spec? it is ~$170,
I still need to buy the power supply.

this is the machine I am going to add onto it.
http://picasaweb.google.ca/output123/Samplemaker?authkey=Gv1sRgCJDErfO9pefTuQE&feat=directlink
but I am going to use the ttl to control the signal from solenoid to turn the laser on /off.

what type of safety stuff should I buy for this type of laser.
any suggestion welcome.
thanks.

Offline Tweakie.CNC

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Re: use laser cut on mach3
« Reply #3 on: June 29, 2009, 10:07:26 AM »
As far as safety is concerned there are two points to be observed.
1) Safety goggles with an OD rating for the wavelength of the laser in use must be worn by you and anyone else that may be present.
2) As many materials give off toxic fumes when burned the work area must be well ventilated.

I have not yet figured out how to control the burn marks produced on the surface of the work. Speed of cut has a lot to do with it I think. Possibly reverse one axis to produce a mirror image and then cut from the back of the work ?.

My laser came from Virtual Village, China but I understand that they no longer supply the 150 mW version.

Power supply is a 0 - 30 Volt 2 Amp benchtop PSU with current limiting.

Laser is controlled with Mach3 and I am using vector toolpaths converted to GCode - Z axis is disabled and Z axis DRO scale factor is used to set the dwell time. To turn the laser on and off (between cuts) I am using a shutter controlled by the Z axis direction signal.
This link may be of interest to you:-   http://www.cooperman.talktalk.net/index_files/Page4549.htm

The ebay laser looks good but you may need to add a focusing lens. perhaps you should try and get more details from the supplier.

Nice machine you have there.

Tweakie.

PEACE