Tweakie.

Hey Tweakie,

Where are the updates, I'm hanging to see what you can cut up with your laser.

Jason

Have patience my friend.
I have a long way to go before the switch-on.

Tweakie.

After a rainy day I have made a little more progress.
The EHT unit has been fitted to the frame and the enclosure for the CO2 tube has been constructed. The focus lens assembly has also been completed.
And a picture of my little helper.

Tweakie.

Good looking work Tweak.....and good help is so hard to find. You are fortunate.
Russ

Thought you were adding a laser to your router, but it starts looking more like you're converting your router completely to a laser machine

Looks like one got to have a lot of knowledge to do what you're doing. Where do you get all the info you need from? You make it seem like you're following a step by step cookbook

Daniel

Hi Dan,

No, the router will still be fully functional by removing the focus lens and fitting the spindle.  I will, however, have to provide caps for the laser output aperture and Z axis mirror (although this component can easily be removed by releasing two bolts) to protect the optics from dust etc. but routing will not be affected by all the other parts. The additional weight of the complete machine is another matter. 

I have researched the project before starting and I did gain a lot of practical experience from using the low power diode laser but my progress is all 'hand to mouth' and I am purchasing the parts as and when required. Wish I did have a cookbook to follow but the internet is a wonderful thing for gaining information once you have separated the facts from the speculation.

My next job is to establish if the CO2 tube I have has its anode/cathode electrodes in electrical contact with the water cooling as this will decide if I use a closed loop heat exchanger (non metallic) of if I can use a forced air radiator and in addition is ethylene glycol electrically conductive at 18,000 Volts ?.

Still a long way to go.

Tweakie.

The water circulating pump has just arrived from China.

This is actually a chemical pump with ceramic shaft and seals with no metallic parts in contact with the fluid flow. It has a continuously rated, 12 volt brush less motor with a life expectancy in excess of 40,000 hours (which should see me out if it is as good as it is claimed). 

Tweakie.

Update:-
Now that I have had a chance to inspect and test the pump it does contain two stainless steel parts: a wear plate behind the impeller and a spire clip to retain the impeller, both parts are non-magnetic.

Got a link to the pump? Might be a good one for my acid containers.

Sure have Sam.

http://shop.ebay.co.uk/sopis_c/m.html?_nkw=&_armrs=1&_from=&_ipg=

If you need it I have the address of the supplier which I can pm.

Tweakie.