Laser Cutter

About

After some discussion about getting a laser cutter for the Makerspace, a laser cutter has been purchased.

WE HAVE A LASER!

The laser cutter arrived Friday, January 11, 2019.

The laser cutter is being commissioned - installation, testing, and calibration should be completed soon.

The machine we have is:

• Make: HL-Yeah
• Model: HL-ZXP 1060 100W (1000 mm x 600 mm working area) [1]
  • Manual: Download
  • https://youtu.be/z0I_VBttqEI
  • https://youtu.be/xphDmXKrCgg
• Reci W2 (90W-100W) CO2 laser tube
  • "The running current must be kept below 27mA. The life span can reach 8,000 hours if the current is kept below 25mA."
    • 75% power setting draws 25mA (measured), 7% power setting is minimum to raster etch paper, so power in RDWorks 'vendor settings' (password-protected) NOT TO BE MODIFIED BY USER was set to Min: 7%, Max: 75% in vendor settings
  • HY-100W laser tube power supply [2][3]
    • 220VAC +/- 10% input, 40kVDC output (32mA max)
• D&N CW5000 chiller
  • 120VAC, 6.5A, 750W capacity
  • File:Laser chiller manual.pdf
  • File:Laser chiller maint manual.pdf
• Ruida controller ("RDC6442S-B(EC)")
  • HL-1060 RDworks software download: https://hl-yeah.com/2017/07/03/hanlaser-hl-1060-100w130w-ruida-dsp-rdc6442gs-download/
    • RDWorks v8.01.34 - https://drive.google.com/open?id=1XO0SGilnPcl8vkkqzH0fyHGE9xMHtgIv
  • Ruida English site downloads (includes RDImage)
  • Hardware Manual: http://en.rd-acs.com/Private/Files/a4d9f12fe9e32eb7.pdf
  • RD Works v8 Software Manual: http://www.thunderlaser.com/download/down/RDWorksV8_Software_and_the_plug_in_software_SetUp_Manual.pdf
  • RDWorksLab operator's manual for RDWorks (Good English documentation for RDWorks software): https://drive.google.com/open?id=1-sU_TFE8RdZfG81w6d70Xi1PCEsz9MSt
• Lifting platform (200 mm) honeycomb work table
• Rotary axis
• Auto focus
• Nema 17 Stepper motor system
  • 17HW4410H Stepper motors
  • Lihuiyu Studio Labs M415DRV stepper motor drivers for X & Y axis
    • Picture of settings
    • SW 1 ON, SW 2 OFF, SW 3 OFF, SW 4 ON --> 0.7A peak current
    • SW 5 OFF --> auto half current
    • SW 6 OFF, SW 7 OFF, SW 8 OFF -->32 microstepping, 6400 pulse/rev.

Additional infrastructure:

• Ventilation
  • VIVOSUN 6 Inch 440 CFM Inline Duct Ventilation Fan with Variable Speed Controller, 2450RPM, 120VAC, 1.1A
• Fire suppression
• Safety glasses
  • 1 pair received with laser cutter (dark lenses), 2 pair of laser safety glasses from eBay sellers.
• Laser power meter - received 0-200W laser power meter "POWERGAUGE V1" from eBay seller ukemm_qewpbhg
  • File:POWERGAUGE-V1-instuctions-version2.pdf
• Cart / Stand (4'W x 3'D x 2'H) (built by Ken K)
• 0-30ma DC Analog Ammeter
• Spares / Consumables
  • Mirrors (3), diameter?
  • Focus Lens (1), diameter? focal length?
  • Cleaning swabs
  • Isopropyl Alcohol
  • DI water for chiller

Payments

https://makerspacenanaimo.org/laser/

• WORKSHOP FEE – $50 (One-time payment)
• MONTHLY USAGE FEE – $10/mo (Subscription per calendar month)

Materials

Laser Cutter Materials

Samples

• 

  Makerspace logo engraved and cut in plywood

• 

  LASER engraved in PC side panel

• 

  Marvel Calendar

• 

  Ceramic tile (first)

• 

  Ceramic tile (second)

• 

  Mirror etched from backside, backlit - penrose tile.

• 

  Mirror etched from front side - penrose tile.

• 

  Racing Car 3D Puzzle cut from cardboard

• 

  Power levels test in 1/4" oak

• See the page of Laser Cut Projects done in the Makerspace.

Videos of the laser in action:

• Makerspace Nanaimo on YouTube: Making paper doilies with a laser cutter (< 1 minute)
• Makerspace Nanaimo on YouTube: Laser engraving a ceramic tile (teaser) (20 seconds)

Other sites:

• https://www.troteclaser.com/en/knowledge/do-it-yourself-samples/
• https://www.epiloglaser.com/resources/sample-club.htm
• https://www.bosslaser.com/laser-files/downloads/
• http://www.rabbitlaserusa.com/index.php?route=information/information&information_id=20
• http://www.thunderlaser.com/category/sample-club

Facebook groups:

• https://www.facebook.com/groups/1649552468616089/
• https://www.facebook.com/groups/955418137942545/

Design Resources

• Inkscape - Vector graphics editor
• Vectric VCarve Pro - Vector editing, import/export SVG/AI/EPS/DXF/DWG, nesting
• Boxes.py - Create boxes and more with a laser cutter! Boxes.py is an Open Source box generator written in Python. It features both finished parametrized generators as well as a Python API for writing your own. It features finger and (flat) dovetail joints, flex cuts, holes and slots for screws, hinges, gears, pulleys and much more.
• Template maker - Card Box A long, thin box. Suitable for chocolate cigaretes, playing cards, etc.
• Box Designer Give us dimensions and we'll generate a PDF you can use to cut a notched box on a laser-cutter.
• makeabox.io Another online notched box designer.
• Jigsaw Puzzle Generator
• http://cartonus.com/category/free/

Learning Resources

https://hackaday.com/2016/05/31/how-to-fail-at-laser-cutting/

Youtube - Sarbar Multimedia / RDWorks Learning Lab

Youtube - Thinklaser

CNC Zone - Laser Cutter subforum

https://rdworkslab.com/

Reddit - Lasercutting

http://www.thunderlaser.com/laser-download

http://www.thunderlaser.com/video/how-to-use-your-laser-machine.html

Photos

• 

  Laser cutter, uncrated but still on the pallet.

• 

  Back of the laser cutter.

• 

  Laser cutter exhaust fan (6")

• 

  Laser cutter and accessories.

• 

  Accessories received with laser cutter.

• 

  Water chiller and rotary axis for laser cutter.

• 

  Reci 90W CO2 laser tube in laser cutter.

• 

  Label of Reci 90W CO2 laser tube.

• 

  Back panel on laser cutter.

• 

  Top label and Ruida front control panel of laser cutter.

Maintenance

https://k40laser.se/faq-how-to/

https://k40laser.se/lens-mirrors/mirror-alignment-the-ultimate-guide/

http://www.thunderlaser.com/troubleshooting/maintenance/maintain.html

Thingiverse - Material Test Card for Laser Cutting and Engraving (SVG)