Question about cutting and engraving with 2.x Laser

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Question about cutting and engraving with 2.x Laser

Postby nikos6111 » Thu Nov 07, 2013 10:00 pm

Hello,

I am new on this excellent forum.
I am thinking to built the buildlog 2.x Laser for my job but I have some questions.
I have the Gecko G540 and I would like to control the power of the laser tube and to drive the steppers via Cambam--->>>Mach3.
Is this possible to do?

I want the laser to cut and engrave some thin parts like plastics. The maximum material thickness is 2mm.
Can I do this with this laser and with these equipments (gecko, cambam, mach3)?

I post a video for what I want to do.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VnAKEf64Kzo
and the engraving part
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=VnAKEf64Kzo#t=58

Thank you very much in advance!!!

Nikos
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Re: Question about cutting and engraving with 2.x Laser

Postby mattrsch » Thu Nov 07, 2013 10:44 pm

Welcome!

Driving the laser with Mach3 is possible and several people here have done it for vector engraving and cutting, but it is difficult to do raster engraving this way.
BenJackson was sucessful in developing a raster engraving solution using EMC2 (now Linux CNC). Check out his build log for details:
http://buildlog.net/forum/viewtopic.php?f=16&t=557

The easiest way to get up and running with raster engraving is with a purpose built controller like light object's AWC608, which is what I use
http://www.lightobject.com/AWC608-Commercial-DSP-CO2-Laser-Engraving-Cutter-Controller-P321.aspx

In the video you linked, it shows vector engraving. This is the same as cutting with lower power and higher speeds. It is not too difficult to do cutting and vector engraving with Mach 3. If you have basic CNC experience it shouldn't be a problem for you.
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Re: Question about cutting and engraving with 2.x Laser

Postby cvoinescu » Fri Nov 08, 2013 10:10 am

Also, you mentioned "plastics". You should be aware that cutting plastics that contain chlorine (e.g. PVC) is not possible with this laser (they cut fine, but they generate toxic and/or corrosive fumes -- among others, hydrochloric acid, which destroys the optics and mechanical components of the machine in very short order). Plastics that are safe to cut include acrylic (PMMA) and polycarbonate.
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Re: Question about cutting and engraving with 2.x Laser

Postby nikos6111 » Fri Nov 08, 2013 12:41 pm

Thank you very much mattrsch!!!
You really helped me.
At this time I don't want to do raster engraving, so I will fine with Gecko, Cambam and Mach3.
I have a small CNC and I have a little experience on how to work with Mach3 and I hope to work and with Laser also but I must find which settings on Cambam is for Laser cutting.

Dear cvoinescu, thank you for the information.
I mentioned plastic as for the hardness.
The exact material which I use called "Vulcanized Fiber". http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vulcanized_fibre
This is the material on the video which I posted.
When you cut it with laser produces fumes but I don't know if these fumes are too bad for the optics, mechanical components and for my health. :roll:
I know that many other professionals cut and engrave this material with laser.
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Re: Question about cutting and engraving with 2.x Laser

Postby TLHarrell » Fri Nov 08, 2013 7:01 pm

You should get a MSDS from the manufacturer. Pay particular attention to the section regarding combustion products.
40w Full Spectrum Engineering 5th Gen Hobby 20"x12" w/ Rotary Engraver
South San Francisco Bay Area - Sales and Support Representative for Full Spectrum Engineering
408-47-LASER - Skype: whitelightlaser-thomas - Facebook: White Light Laser
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Re: Question about cutting and engraving with 2.x Laser

Postby nikos6111 » Sat Nov 09, 2013 12:23 pm

Thank you TLHarrell.

I found this on my supplier website: Non-toxic and inert, Vulcanized Fibre is dangerous emissions free, even if burned or inhaled (powder) being 100% cotton, so completely ecological and eco-friendly on waste disposal.

So I think it is ok for laser cutting.

Do you know a webstore to I buy the kits except Misumi for the frame and Lightobject for the electronics?
I found this but is closed for maintenance. http://store.makerslide.com/index.php?main_page=down_for_maintenance

Thank you!
Nikos
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Re: Question about cutting and engraving with 2.x Laser

Postby cvoinescu » Sat Nov 09, 2013 12:39 pm

The Makerslide.com store is closed for good, or at least long term.
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Re: Question about cutting and engraving with 2.x Laser

Postby mattrsch » Sun Nov 10, 2013 8:28 pm

You can get the stuff you need at inventables.

https://www.inventables.com/categories/frame-rail
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Re: Question about cutting and engraving with 2.x Laser

Postby nikos6111 » Mon Nov 11, 2013 8:55 pm

Thank you very much for the information.

I found this page but hasn't some parts like Laser Carriage Plate, 0.25 Thk Plastic Part, 0.50 Thk Plastic Part.
http://www.buildlog.net/documents/c14002-001_rev_6.pdf
http://www.buildlog.net/documents/c51001_rev_6.pdf
http://www.buildlog.net/documents/c51002_rev_4.pdf.

Thank you!
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Re: Question about cutting and engraving with 2.x Laser

Postby mattrsch » Mon Nov 11, 2013 9:18 pm

Right, you will also need a builders kit for those. Bart (http://buildlog.net/forum/memberlist.php?mode=viewprofile&u=2) sometimes sells them on this fourm, but they don't come up often and they tend to go fast.

There is one set for sale here:
http://buildlog.net/forum/viewtopic.php?f=20&t=2333
I don't know if that is a good price, but it's worth a look.

I am currentyl rebuilding my laser and will no longer be needing my kit parts. I could probabily be convinced to sell them if you can't find them anywhere else.
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