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Re: Edmond's Buildlog.net Laser Build in SA

PostPosted: Thu Mar 01, 2012 6:51 pm
by edmond22
Ok thanks Greolt, I just used Barts post processor and adding the metric g code in it, I did not change anything else except its name.

In the imperial unit there is a G70 and a G20, I initially just changed the G20 to G21 but it was still loading up in Mach3 as an imperial unit file so I changed the G70 to G71 otherwise everything is the same.

Is it possible if anyone could give it a test run and maybe check its all good.
It worked fine in Mach 3 but my tube is not aligned yet so can't check the laser switch on/off.

Re: Edmond's Buildlog.net Laser Build in SA

PostPosted: Thu Mar 01, 2012 10:52 pm
by Greolt
edmond22 wrote:In the imperial unit there is a G70 and a G20, I initially just changed the G20 to G21 but it was still loading up in Mach3 as an imperial unit file so I changed the G70 to G71 otherwise everything is the same.


Someone put the G70 in there by mistake as there was G20/G21 already in the header. G70 and G71 are deprecated commands. See the Mach3 gcode info. Better to only use G20/G21. Anyway use one or the other, not both.

Vectric have a good guide to editing their PPs. It is worth reading. I don't have a link right now, look on their site.

Greolt

Re: Edmond's Buildlog.net Laser Build in SA

PostPosted: Sun Mar 11, 2012 9:28 am
by edmond22
A bit more progress this weekend, lid is finished and I started skinning the machine.
I still need to find some short gas struts/springs for the lid.

I've got 2 radiators and a better water pump on the way too.

I used simona foamboard for the lid and a purple tint 5mm perspex for the window.

Re: Edmond's Buildlog.net Laser Build in SA

PostPosted: Tue Mar 20, 2012 9:47 pm
by edmond22
It's alive but needs a little fine tuning see my other post.

I haven't finished skinning the machine yet but have managed to do a few test runs on some wood on minimum power as I have no extractor hooked up yet, so thats the end of the test runs till the machine is moved into my spare room and the extractor hooked up,

The post processor works perfect, E1P1 command working 100% on lines and arcs, don't even need to add a little jog away at the end as the laser turns off as soon as its finished its last cut then races towards 0,0.

Re: Edmond's Buildlog.net Laser Build in SA

PostPosted: Tue Mar 27, 2012 6:36 pm
by edmond22
Im busy making two cable carriers for the machine as well as cutting the rest of the skins.

Also busy building a exhaust scrubber unit for the machine.

The machine seems to cut better now after I tightened the timing belts.

Re: Edmond's Buildlog.net Laser Build in SA

PostPosted: Sun May 06, 2012 7:53 pm
by edmond22
Here are some of the latest pics of the machine.
28042012347.jpg


Also got some gas springs for the lid and the skins are almost finished

Re: Edmond's Buildlog.net Laser Build in SA

PostPosted: Tue Jun 12, 2012 6:54 pm
by edmond22
Its been a while since an update.

A few weeks ago I moved the machine to its final place, on top of my workbench, took out the tube to avoid any costly accidents.

I have finished cutting and fitting the new alubond skins on the bottom of the machine, also fitted the lid but need to find weaker gas lifts/springs, the ones I purchased were rated at 250N or 25kg way too strong I need 100N or 10kg ones.

I have reinstalled the laser tube and have started wiring the tube and connecting the cooling system up again, just need to check the mirror alignment before making some smoke this weekend.

I have ordered 10 pounds or 5kg of activated carbon for the fume filter/scrubber that I am building.

Re: Edmond's Buildlog.net Laser Build in SA

PostPosted: Wed Jun 13, 2012 6:34 pm
by edmond22
Ordered the cable drag chain from Ebay using this link http://www.ebay.com/itm/ws/eBayISAPI.dl ... OU:US:1123 from a seller in china $10.50 per metre including shipping to South Africa.

The cheapest cable chain I could find here in SA was about $50 or R400 for a 800mm length and end pieces.

Re: Edmond's Buildlog.net Laser Build in SA

PostPosted: Mon Jul 02, 2012 7:37 pm
by edmond22
I started making a proper cooling system for the laser tube using a heater radiator from a Ford Fiesta, its a nice aluminium unit which measures about 170 x 200mm.

I have fabricated a custom made perspex fan shroud/cowling and onto this have mounted a 120mm x 120mm x 38mm 220V ball bearing fan.

I just need a reservoir to stick the pump in and get a few more barbed hose fittings then it's sorted.

Re: Edmond's Buildlog.net Laser Build in SA

PostPosted: Mon Sep 24, 2012 7:06 pm
by edmond22
Bad News, the radiator/heater core I got a few months ago has a big leak on the core and have been advised by a few radiator repair shops that the aluminium heater radiators are too tricky to repair so im on the lookout for a good s/h one.

On a better note the cable drag chain finally arrived from China after a 3month and 1 week wait, it only cost me about $14 inc customs charges for a 1000mm length of 20mm x 10mm drag chain with the end pieces. Seller thought it had got lost about a month ago so he sent another replacement one so should be expecting that one day.

I have a stronger 1000l/hr water pump now but have a problem purging air from the system, the bubbles seem to get stuck in the laser tube and take about 15 minutes to get out if I manually pause the water flow every few seconds, there must be a better way, all the cooling ports on the laser tube face upwards.