I’m still in the design phase of building a laser machine. Decided to throw out a few questions here before I go down the wrong path.
Here’s what I have:
50W Chinese CO2 Laser tube
Power supply components consisting of a 45KV transformer with rectifiers – A 200K 100W oil filled Ballast resistor - .08uf smoothing capacitor with a 10M Ohm Bleeder resistor – Variac to control voltage to the tube 22-27KV
ZnSe Mirrors and adjustable lens assembly
Water pump and tubing
18 X !8 XY table operated by stepper motors and Gecko Drives.
Digital Milliamp Meter for laser current path and Digital Temperature Meters to measure water temperature going in and out of the tube.
Mach 3 machine control software.
TurboCADCAM and Bobcad/Bobart software
Questions:
I’m considering a mirror-less design that mounts the tube vertically on a fixed gantry. The laser would point straight down onto the moving XY table. The laser output will be a few inches above the work. ….. Any problem with mounting the tube vertical? Will I need the focusing lens at this short distance? What is the best/recommended method to hold the glass tube securely to the support housing?
Should I compensate for the amount of time it takes to turn the laser on and off?
Is there a recommended maximum temperature for the cooling water reservoir?
Will I need a fan to blow the smoke away?
Where can I buy the honeycomb material that makes up a laser worktable?
Is software available that will convert a picture file directly into motor movement and laser on/off commands?
Will this laser cut through hardwood 3/16 thick?
Thanks in advance