Saturday, July 17th 2010 - 5:09 AM

Hi guys I have been a little busy at my end with the build i got fair way but wasnt overly happy with the mounts and some other things I had made due to the size etc just wasnt working for me anyway due to a healthy tax return it enabled me to tool up so I am a happy owner of an Sieg X2 mill an a C6 lathe so this will enable me after I cnc the Mill to make the parts I require the way I want then.

The biggest slowdown has been because of our first child (cooper) I am actully typing this a the hospital lol (dont tell the wife) as I havent had the time to do any updates but as you are proably all aware they kind of take 1st place in out lives.



Anyway I am going to CNC the mill over the next couple of weeks in my spare time then I can design and make the parts bearings sharfts etc I need it will also allow me to use a number of barts designs as well and mill them out of Aluminium should be fun.

So I will be back soon was hoping to have it finished before the arrival but snit happens hey

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Tuesday, June 15th 2010 - 6:02 AM

Tweakie wrote:You are certainly building that strong Willy.

Tweakie.

Yeah thanks mate its going to be very strong but I wanted to make it in a way that it will last me forever.

So lid is done quite heavy may have done my back in lifting it probably be sore and sorry tomorrow .
Just got off a guy that supplies struts for camper vans etc and have ordered two struts 35kg rated per strut the guy reckons they will handle the load I hope so otherwise it will be like doing a clean and jerk every time I need to open it up .

I found some grill at the metal recyclers that fits well I am going to put something behind it so I can change the airflow play with it etc see what works the best so its will be adjustable vent.

The wife thinks its looks like a cylon lol maybe I should add a red light
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Sunday, June 13th 2010 - 9:55 AM

Just a little more the lid is done was going to put a bit on a angle at the front but really couldn't be bothered I want to get this machine up and running and making smoke.
Just need to do some bracing clean up and skin the lid need to find some gas struts the ones they use on campervans or ute lids should work then I can strut on the innards.



Cable chain is on the way as well as pulleys belts and aquarium pump for air assist.
I have left he table for the time being that can come later after I have it running and am happy with it.
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Tuesday, June 8th 2010 - 7:55 AM

Another day and a little further the Carcase is nearly done well the bottom part just skinned in 2 mm gal sheet that I got cheap could have done it with .5mm sheet but I like doing things the hard way and I wanted a bit of weight in it anyway this has achieved the weight .

Back sheet is tacked on so is one side the front and right side is attached via cap screws the right hand side where you see the opening will house the sparky stuff.

More to come tomorrow all going well as I have been told to clean the garage up .

Soon as I get the case done I will give it a scrub and coat of paint to make it look a little more respectable .

Willy
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Tuesday, May 18th 2010 - 3:46 AM

At the moment I dont have a model for the reason that the Cad programs I have run like a dog on win7 and no longer working for the companies that I got them from I dont have any upgrades but I am working on that .

So I have just taken a leap and moving on.

So I have done a simple drawing the rest I will adapt as I go along I want to use your z lifting Mech for the z may have to beef it up not sure on that just yet but I will get the X&Y going first then work on the Z.

Sean

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Monday, May 17th 2010 - 10:55 PM

Well Yesterday I spent Cutting and welding, just need to do little more bracing and the carcase/table is done I need to fabricate the lid sides as well as lid then I will skin with 1.6mm black sheet this will make it totally rigid and heavy.

Table is 1.7m x 1.1m Cutting area will be 800mmx1200mm I have given myself lots of room to set everything out, the tube will sit off the back like Chinese lasers in its own pod.
Attachements...

Table

New toy it just makes cutting all so easy that in turn makes welding fun

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Sunday, May 16th 2010 - 8:18 AM

Hard to say mate invoice cost was $580 but it was part of a bigger deal you would need to email and ask them what a one off would be.
I spent U$S2221 with them.

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Monday, May 10th 2010 - 5:51 AM

Aww bugger just rang my steel supplier he cant deliver until Wednesday how bloody rude but ya get that I guess need to do some other shopping for a few bits and pieces anyway in the morning.

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Monday, May 10th 2010 - 5:39 AM

Well the box turned up with the rest of the goodies see pics attached , quite happy with it all the quality of it all is higher then I expected but suppose the proof will b in the pudding.

I have G540 that will control the steppers bit of over kill but I will use it until I find some thing satisfactory as a driver for my motors still haven't decided on the motors yet.

Whats everyone's thoughts on steppers I am thinking Nema17 on the Y and 269s on the X and Z.

Willy
Attachements...

80 Watt PS

Controller and Laser Cut Software + Dongle

Optics

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Tuesday, May 4th 2010 - 10:53 PM

Well first arrival 80w Laser from Shirley at Coeltech she has been so helpful and the tube turned up in perfect condition it was packed so well even the courier said that he decided to make it his first stop because he didn't want to break it but he did want to see what was inside lol so I let him have a look .





Sure is a long sucker I was aware of the measurements but until you see it in the flesh.....

It has been repacked and stored away for the time being the rest of the gear should turn up in a day or two .

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Tuesday, April 27th 2010 - 5:04 AM

Just place order for parts through Coeltech on ebay

This is what is on order will take pictures when it arrives.

1pcs 80w laser tube
1pcs 80w power supply
2 Mirror mounts with mirrors
2 laser tube mounts for 80w laser tube.
DSP 1set professional motion controlling system with the engraving/cutting software(Lasercut software) 1/sets
1set Laser head with 1pcs compatible mirror and 1pcs lens.

Cant wait for it all to arrive

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Saturday, April 24th 2010 - 7:03 AM

Well EC laser will only take payment through western union bit of a shame I have been ripped off using WU in the past aint going to chance it again .

Looks like I will have to place an order through coltech/cnsigntech

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Saturday, April 24th 2010 - 1:23 AM

Na still waiting to purchase that will happen this week and will go direct to them.

Just not to sure on the PVD vs CVD thing and what mirrors to get.

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Friday, April 23rd 2010 - 10:29 PM

Hey guys I am back and the spend has been approved by the Mrs we have just moved 800ks and are in a new house so I can start spending and getting this build up and running.
The budget is $4kau and I am sure I can pull this laser in under seeing what others have done so far.

I have been reading all the new posts so much info its killing me lol.


Ok so first decision Heads Pedestals Lens and Mirrors I am going to get from EC Laser http://www.eclaser.cn/en/product.asp

1x LH-A


2x MP-A


But I Am not sure of the Lens etc PVD or CVD http://www.eclaser.cn/en/product.asp?bigclassid=13&SmallClassid=51 help would be appreciated on this decision I will be running a 80W Laser also what would be the mirrors to get as well http://www.eclaser.cn/en/product.asp?bigclassid=13&SmallClassid=52.

Its so good to get a start again.

Willy

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Saturday, January 16th 2010 - 10:17 PM

Stage 1:
Linera Rails, this is the backbone of all Routing what you do here can make huge differences down the track (pun intended) I have decided to go for linear rails from LMB for my x axis whilst he sells the cheaper round type of rails I decided to go fo the better quality rails the price just about doubles when you get these but I think they are truly worth it.

X I have ordered Two LSK rails 850mm Long and two blocks this will give me travel of 800mm approx $200 US.
Y I also have to used rails that came off one of my CNC routers that I have joined to give a travel of 1200mm


So this is a pic of the Y axis Rail and block its two Rails joined together and whilst joining two rails together isn't ideal as you get the train track sound I don't seem to be getting an notable problems moving it with my hand and at a later date I will replace it with a single rail.



I have used a lightweight 25mm 1.6 SHS extrusion that I had left over from a set of shelves that I made for a cupboard over xmas tapping and screwing it was a bit of a challenge though, I also thought this would bend under the weight of the rail but adding the rail has stiffened it even further so it may actually work as the gantry only has to support its own weight after all, I can always add some angle if need but I think it will be fine or replace the rail all together .


So all I am waiting on is the Rails and Blocks from LMB probably a week or two then i can work out what i need for belts etc.

I have also added a pdf of the motors I am thinking of using for the gantry as well as the X axis I will have two slaved for the X axis one on each side not sure if they will be powerful enough time will tell I can get these for $20ea AU so no problems changing them out if need be.

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Saturday, January 16th 2010 - 1:42 AM

Welcome to my build log:

Aim: to create a Laser Cutter/Engraver with a working area of 1200mmx800mm (1/3rd Sheet)

Required for cutting decorative panels in 3mm ply for some of the products I sell on ebay and on my website.
Cutting decorative veneers for woodworkers
Engraving Glass if possible.
Lots more Ideas but need a laser to try them all out.

Why not a CNC?
I have a CNC Router its a 1/3 whilst its good for many things I see a Laser as a better fit for some of the things I am aiming for.

Laser Wattage: Will probably start out with a 40-60w laser but I am going to build the chassis so that if I need to upgrade to a 120w or so I will have the room to do so.

Why not buy a Laser from China? Well if I could afford to do so I would but a machine this size would coast at least 10k and that isn't even including shipping add another 3k + Customs.
Also if the quality isn't up to scratch I only will have one person to blame that is me .

Stage 1:
Build working Y and X axis
Stage 2:
Build Table and Chassis
Stage 3:
Electronics Setup & Laser Setup.
Stage 4:
z Axis if required


Edit: Added a couple of pics of Completed CNC Routers


Attachements...

1200x900 CNC Panel Cutter

1200x900 CNC.JPG (Array KiB) Viewed 1482 times

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