[TrickyCNC]

Hi Everyone

Last year I made a CNC wood router after researching on here, and have been using it daily in my workshop. It's earning it's keep very well indeed !

I'm getting interested in laser now, and want to know a few things ..

I'd like to know the best build threads for laser cutters on here. So I can learn what I need to know to build one.

I'd like to know if I can retro fit a laser 'head' in place of my router on my currrent CNC machine ?

I'd like to know the best place to source components (tubes, PSU's coolers etc,) for my build. .... I'm in the UK

Thanks
Richard

[Exsecratio]

Probably direct import my friend,

The UK dealers do keep spares but tend to reserve them for their own machine customers.

HPC Laser and CTR Futures are two of the good ones.

best wishes

Dave

[epilotdk]

Will your router move fast enough for laser use? Lasers use light gantries to reduce inertia and they generally move the head faster than a router.

[TrickyCNC]

what sort of speeds do lasers move at ?

[Bec Weir]

what sort of speeds do lasers move at ?

My 100W RECI 1200x900 Chineese laser will engrave upto 1000mm/sec and cut up to 600mm/sec (according to manufacturers specs.), dependent on material being cut.

In reality though, it is cutting 3mm mdf at about 50-60mm/second (at a guess).

[TrickyCNC]

My 100W RECI 1200x900 Chineese laser will engrave upto 1000mm/sec and cut up to 600mm/sec (according to manufacturers specs.), dependent on material being cut.

In reality though, it is cutting 3mm mdf at about 50-60mm/second (at a guess).

ok , let me try and translate that to English
50mm - 2"
120 inch per Minute

Yes, I cut at that rate with my router.

So it seems my speed is ok ...

what's next ?

[TrickyCNC]

so, I'm getting the idea that a fresh build would be the best way to go.

I'v read a bit and can see how it all works.

Next thing I need help with, is things to watch out for ...

With driver boards, the TB6560 looks like it will do the job from the specs quoted in the adverts, but we all know in reality that they are not really any good !

So, tell me about tubes and psu's - are there any to watch out for / avoid at all costs ?
Are the cheap ones useable - even if they have a shorter life expectancy ?

Mirrors and lenses ? any better than others ? more suitable for CO2 ?

Lastly ... safety ! I imaging these lasers are quite dangerous, and will blind you or worse in the 'blink' of an eye if they happen to reflect off of something that shouldn't be in it's path ? What safety features shold be built in ?

again ... any links to the best builds on here would be good

Cheers
Richard

[jeffery926]

You can get allot of information here.

Tweakie.CNC - CO2 Laser Cutting.

And here.

http://www.machsupport.com/forum/ind...c,12444.0.html

Jeff