Boweeble's 2.x Build Log

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Boweeble's 2.x Build Log

Postby boweeble » Thu Jan 22, 2015 9:35 pm

I've been kicking around the idea of building one of these machinces for quite some time and after sourcing the parts the past few weeks, I've finally received the majority of components etc. to start building.

20150121_205207.jpg


I decided to go with the LO-X7 DSP controller with color LCD display (from Lightobject) and plan on building the subsystem from Scott's 2.x build (http://www.buildlog.net/forum/viewtopic.php?f=16&t=2590) using an UNO and touchscreen which handles all the switching of the blower, air assist, water pump etc. He has graciously agreed to provide the source code on his github (https://github.com/sshwarts).

For the cooling, I plan on using a PC cooling system (in the above picture) hopefully contained inside the system somewhere to keep the tube cool (if anyone has tried this before please chime in with success/failure/suggestions).

After a couple of hours last night my son and I managed to get the frame assembled.

20150122_014131.jpg


I'll post more as I progress...

A couple of side notes:
Anyone needing the 64" MXL belt for the z-axis, I purchased some (in quantity) from a source reeser found and will have 6 available for sale (after they arrive on the boat from China) for $10 ea. + shipping costs so PM me if you are looking for this item and I'll let you know when they come in.

I also have a CNC machine that I built several years ago and got in working order recently so I can mill any of the HDPE pieces. Again, PM me if you are interested/needing these pieces and I'm sure we can work something out.

Happy building!
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Re: Boweeble's 2.x Build Log

Postby TLHarrell » Fri Jan 23, 2015 2:27 am

I just added a couple PC radiators and fans, and a fan controller to my laser. I'd say I've got around 1300 watts of heat dissipation from it... way overkill. First functional test of cutting for around 4 hours, the water went up two degrees F. That's probably about the same as ambient air temperature during the same time period.
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: Boweeble's 2.x Build Log

Postby boweeble » Fri Jan 23, 2015 3:22 pm

I just added a couple PC radiators and fans, and a fan controller to my laser. I'd say I've got around 1300 watts of heat dissipation from it... way overkill. First functional test of cutting for around 4 hours, the water went up two degrees F. That's probably about the same as ambient air temperature during the same time period.


I went with this radiator from Amazon http://www.amazon.com/XSPC-EX360-Performance-Radiator-Supports/dp/B006097HEC which uses 2 120mm fans and this pump from LightObject http://www.lightobject.com/158GPH-threaded-Small-DC24V-Brushless-Submersible-Water-oil-Pump-P736.aspx. I also plan to build a small reservoir out of PVC pipe. Images to follow once I get it completed...
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Re: Boweeble's 2.x Build Log

Postby TLHarrell » Fri Jan 23, 2015 5:18 pm

Reservoir not really necessary. Go open loop. Get a 5 gallon bucket from Home Depot or Lowe's and drop your pump into it. Add 4.5 gallons of distilled water and a good squirt of algae killer for fish tanks from the pet store. Cut a small slot in the edge of the bucket lid so you can close it with everything in the bucket. It'll take a little time to get all the air bubbles out of the system when you power it on the first time, but after that the water will stay in the loop.
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: Boweeble's 2.x Build Log

Postby boweeble » Thu Jan 29, 2015 6:58 am

Finished fabbing the skins tonight...

20150129_002154.jpg


20150129_003011.jpg


Waiting on a few parts to finish my build so I'm going to try and get done what I can on the electronics and get my ventilation system in place - I also need to put some sort of a workbench together out in my garage.

I'm hoping I'll have everything up and running within the next week or so...
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Re: Boweeble's 2.x Build Log

Postby TLHarrell » Thu Jan 29, 2015 5:01 pm

Looks very nice.
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: Boweeble's 2.x Build Log

Postby boweeble » Sat Jan 31, 2015 6:54 am

Wired up the majority of the power tonight. I decided to split the electronics up into 2 sections with the power supplies on the lower level and the controllers on the upper level.

20150130_232914.jpg


The 3 power supplies I went with are:

40-60W laser power supply from LightObject
http://www.lightobject.com/40W60W-PWM-CO2-Laser-Power-Supply-AC110V-P72.aspx

SUPERNIGHT(TM) 24V 15A 360W DC Regulated Switching Power Supply for the DSP and stepper motors
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B007F7S4P4

Dual Output 5 Volt 12 Volt 4 Amp 1 Amp 32 Watt to for the water pump & sub-systems computer
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B005T8WGHS

I'm using the following connectors and the relay switch to control the air assist pump and ventilation fan (which I'll post in the next couple days).

SainSmart 8-Channel Relay Module
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0057OC5WK

Power Out Connector (back of the laser)
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00067K4NA

Power In Connector (wall for blower)
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00067K1EC

Power In Connector (to back of laser)
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B002EDM9AU

Power Out Connector (to wall)
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B002EDS1FM
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Re: Boweeble's 2.x Build Log

Postby boweeble » Fri Feb 06, 2015 12:05 am

Still a work in progress but I'm getting closer to finishing my subsystems computer. The inspiration came from Scotts 2.x build http://www.buildlog.net/forum/viewtopic.php?f=16&t=2590 and some of the code was borrowed from what he so graciously shared with me. His original design used an Arduino UNO however the memory proved to not be enough to handle what I was wanting to do so I ended up scavenging an Arduino Mega from one of my older 3D printer builds.

Switches on/off the tube water pump, exhaust blower, nozzle air assist, laser pointer and enables/disables the laser.
Monitors 2 temperature sensors (laser tube inlet and outlet), a water flow meter, the cover and when the laser is firing.

If the user taps the enable button, the water pump will turn on and check for proper flow prior to enabling. The system also monitors the laser firing from the AWC708C controller and keeps track of the current and total tube time. If the air assist pump and/or exhaust blower are not enabled when detecting the laser firing, it will automatically start these subsystems.

The safety measures I put in include sufficient water flow, inlet and outlet temperatures which will all be configurable via a settings screen. If any of these fall out of the given parameters the laser is automatically disabled.

20150205_172821.jpg
Interface Screen
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Re: Boweeble's 2.x Build Log

Postby sshwarts » Fri Feb 06, 2015 5:27 pm

Excellent job. What are you using for coolant temp sensors? Please do repost the source code on your own github (or wherever).
On my big to do list is to develop an arduino based architecture card that integrates the LCD, opto-isolated inputs, outputs, relay control etc. I would of loved to have a nice single card solution.

Scott
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Re: Boweeble's 2.x Build Log

Postby boweeble » Fri Feb 06, 2015 5:53 pm

Excellent job. What are you using for coolant temp sensors? Please do repost the source code on your own github (or wherever).
On my big to do list is to develop an arduino based architecture card that integrates the LCD, opto-isolated inputs, outputs, relay control etc. I would of loved to have a nice single card solution.

Scott


Thanks Scott...you got me started in the right direction. As soon as I finish up the settings screen I'll put the code and a schematic for everyone else to play around with and enjoy. I too am working on a single board solution but so far the breakout board has been sufficient. I'll post more pics and code this weekend if I get time to finish this up...

Here's the links to the thermistors & flow meter that I incorporated into my design.

Waterproof Temperature Thermal Thermistor TC 10K Probe Sensor 46cm
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00KHSU9DS

Black Hall Effect Water Flow Meter 1-30L/M G1/2" Thread 3-24VDC
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00HG7HU30

I'm also going to try and incorporate these LED's into the design as well...
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00JR0MJIU
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