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60 or 80 watt laser tube on 2.x laser?

PostPosted: Tue Nov 05, 2013 9:00 pm
by Techbuilder
Anyone add an extension to their 2.x laser?

Re: 60 or 80 watt laser tube on 2.x laser?

PostPosted: Thu Nov 07, 2013 10:23 pm
by mattrsch
I thought I saw something from someone who put a 60W tube in a 2.x with an extension on the right for the tube, but I can't find it anywhere. I was planning on upgrading mine this way but decided to rebuild the whole thing in stead.

Re: 60 or 80 watt laser tube on 2.x laser?

PostPosted: Fri Nov 08, 2013 12:23 am
by Techbuilder
Full spectrum has an extension box for there 12" x 20"

Image

it's not the most attractive but if you've built something already
and you need the increase of power I can understand.

Re: 60 or 80 watt laser tube on 2.x laser?

PostPosted: Fri Nov 08, 2013 6:58 pm
by TLHarrell
Yes, that's Full Spectrum's 80 watt upgrade for the hobby laser. For the price of the hobby laser plus the upgrade, I'd probably rather get one of the higher end larger units. That and it's a giant nasty looking box.

Re: 60 or 80 watt laser tube on 2.x laser?

PostPosted: Sun Sep 21, 2014 1:47 am
by injunear
I've decided to use the RECI 80 watt from lightobject. The tube's longer (1200mm) and much fatter (80mm) than the 'stock' 40 watt tube that's part of the 'stock 2.x' design.
I modified my design of the enclosure to accommodate the extra length and diameter because I also wanted a larger cutting area. My enclosure is:
(l) 1150mm X (d) 660mm X (h) 360mm. The tube will still stick out the side, but only a few inches. Nothing near that shown in the photo above. Geez, if I were designing that unit from scratch I would simply extend the entire case and use the empty space for storage, or perhaps an integral pump or exhaust fan....

Bob T.

Re: 60 or 80 watt laser tube on 2.x laser?

PostPosted: Mon Sep 22, 2014 4:31 am
by TLHarrell
Yeah, in the case of the Full Spectrum, it's a bolt on option for a larger tube in a hobby level laser. It isn't ideal.

And I've done one of these upgrades now. Handling that tube is a twitchy experience. Don't wanna break that one.

Re: 60 or 80 watt laser tube on 2.x laser?

PostPosted: Wed Sep 24, 2014 5:58 pm
by Chankster
Here's my extension to accommodate the 80w tube:
viewtopic.php?p=22472#p22472

Re: 60 or 80 watt laser tube on 2.x laser?

PostPosted: Thu Sep 25, 2014 2:05 am
by injunear
That's the RECI tube. Did you need to make your own mounts? I did. That looks like the 'stock' 2.x chassis. Is it the stock size?

Bob T.

Re: 60 or 80 watt laser tube on 2.x laser?

PostPosted: Thu Sep 25, 2014 5:35 pm
by Chankster
Correct, stock machine with custom mounts. Can't really accommodate a larger diameter tube without modifying the right Y axis makerslide. Currently my tube just barely clears the top of the V rail.

Re: 60 or 80 watt laser tube on 2.x laser?

PostPosted: Fri Sep 26, 2014 3:06 am
by injunear
Hmm, I didn't think about interference in that way....I made my enclosure 2" taller to assure that I wouldn't hit anything above the tube as the mounts are about 4" tall. I kept the rail-rail spacing at 120mm and the mounts sit C-C 100mm. I also made sure that I maintained the centerline established in the original 2.x so that I wouldn't have problems with the mirrors and alignment.
But, now you're saying that the tube barely clears the Y-axis rail? You say it clears so I assume you did nothing but if it didn't clear what would be necessary to make it clear? Grind the V-Grove off the Makerslide? I'm trying to formulate what you said in my mind. I'm am right now building my frame and would like to avoid any gotcha's.

Bob T.