MY HOMBEREW 60W CO2 LASER CUTTEROverviewWhat I have tried to do here is to provide a list of things to think about when you are planning to design and built a laser cutter or for that matter and kind of machine whether it be fully automated, semi automated or manually operated.
Some points are more valid than other depending upon your requirement, but in each case should be addressed and reviewed. There is no order of importance in the list below…its just what came to mind.
There are probably hundreds of more items that can be added or subtracted.
If you feel that you would like to add to this list, then please feel free to do so. The intent here is to make you think what you are about to undertake and to maximize safety as well as design and operating procedures.
It is better to make a mistake on paper than to have it occur in real life. Its so easy to design yourself into a corner…….don’t I know it!!!!
Since this is only a hobby, taking your time to think things out is a luxury that the home hobbyist has that the real industry starves for. I believe that its the journey and not the destination which make DIY CNC machines so much fun
Richard....aka....buildsometing
My Machine Design Requirements• Used primarily for cutting balsa and light ply
• Large operating window. 15” wide x 48” long
• No Z axis auto adjustment
• Safety an integral part of machine
• Modular design for serviceability and easy access
• Ease of replacement parts
• Accessibility of all moving and non moving parts
• Low cost
• Any one with some advanced building skills can tackle this project
• No rush to build machine
• Some return on investment
• Must look semi professional when completed.
• Must have resale value
• No kludging of parts
Structure or Base• Low cost with minimal machining.
• Frame must be stiff to minimize bending in X and Y axis
• Large footprint to minimize tip inadvertent tipping
• On wheels for ease of movement around the shop
Pneumatics & Exhaust• High volume with high water column exhaust. 600 CFM @ 8” of water
• Minimum of 4” diam exhaust ductwork
• Low volume low pressure air assist
Cooling• 5 gallon plastic paint can
• Small boat bilge pump…..self priming
• 12 volt supply for pump
Cabling• All external cables must use be quick disconnect
• Internal wiring must have lugs
• Strain relief’s on all fastened power supply cords
Controls and power distribution• In my case 1 240VAC line coming to the machine with 120VAC distribution
• Everything must be fused
• 1 switch kills everything
• 1 separate control panel to turn power on to each individual item with indicator lights
Safety• One main power cutoff switch
• EPO and safety interlocks
• Fire extinguisher located in and easy and accessible area.
• Protective eyewear…..with documentation for possible liability issues
• Outdoor exhaust
• Thermocouples and alarms within mechanism to sense delayed potential fires.
• Minimize stray beam scattering.
• Heavily darkened lexan viewing area.
• Safety labels displayed
Sensors• Cooling water flow
• Exhaust on
• EPO
• + / - limit sensor for both X & Y
• Home limit sensor on X & Y
• Temperature sensors throughout machine base and vacuum exhaust ducting