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]
- 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."
- 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
- HL-1060 RDworks software download: https://hl-yeah.com/2017/07/03/hanlaser-hl-1060-100w130w-ruida-dsp-rdc6442gs-download/
- 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
- 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
- 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
Samples
- 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:
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
CNC Zone - Laser Cutter subforum
http://www.thunderlaser.com/laser-download
http://www.thunderlaser.com/video/how-to-use-your-laser-machine.html
Photos
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Laser cutter, uncrated but still on the pallet.
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Back of the laser cutter.
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Laser cutter exhaust fan (6")
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Laser cutter and accessories.
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Accessories received with laser cutter.
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Water chiller and rotary axis for laser cutter.
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Reci 90W CO2 laser tube in laser cutter.
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Label of Reci 90W CO2 laser tube.
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Back panel on laser cutter.
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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)