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lasercutter2 [2019-06-12 21:48] – [Recommended Settings] mirzalasercutter2 [2023-12-24 13:36] (current) simon
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 TRAINING REQUIRED BEFORE USE.\\ TRAINING REQUIRED BEFORE USE.\\
 (Note: Access control is ad-hoc, Ask someone to add you after you have received a walkthrough.)  (Note: Access control is ad-hoc, Ask someone to add you after you have received a walkthrough.) 
- 
-HOURS OF USE ARE LIMITED TO **8PM-8AM** UNTIL ADDITIONAL FUME EXTRACTION HAS BEEN INSTALLED. 
  
 Model JD90125\\ Model JD90125\\
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 {{:large_laser_cutter.jpg?300}} {{:large_laser_cutter.jpg?300}}
  
 +See also: 
 +  * [[lasercutter|Laser Cutter #1]]
 +  * [[lasercutter_tips_and_tricks|Laser cutting tips and tricks]]
 +  * [[lasermaterials|Laser materials price list]]
 +
 +**Save your project file on the local disk if it's complex otherwise the software will be excessively slow (because the latency of the network share slows down the compile process).**
  
 ===== Safety ===== ===== Safety =====
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 {{:flameyboi.jpg?direct&800|}} {{:flameyboi.jpg?direct&800|}}
 +
 +===== Prices =====
 +
 +See [[lasercutter#prices]].
  
 ===== Recommended Settings ===== ===== Recommended Settings =====
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 The test were done in the centre of the cutting bed. The test were done in the centre of the cutting bed.
  
-^ Material ^ Cut Speed ^ Cut Power ^ Notes ^ +^ Material ^^ Cut Speed ^ Cut Power ^ Notes ^ 
-Acrylic 1mm | 30 | 40 | Miron | +Acrylic 1mm | 30 | 40 | Miron | 
-Acrylic 2mm | 28 | 100 | Miron | +:::     2mm | 28 | 100 | Miron | 
-Acrylic 3mm | 18 | 100 | Miron +:::     3mm | 17 | 100 | David 
-Acrylic 4mm | 15 | 100 | Miron | +:::     4mm | 15 | 100 | Miron | 
-Acrylic 5mm | 12 | 100 | Miron | +:::     5mm | 12 | 100 | Miron | 
-Acrylic 8mm | 4 | 100 | David | +:::     8mm | 4 | 100 | David | 
-Acrylic 10mm | 3 | 100 | Miron | +:::     10mm | 3 | 100 | Miron | 
-| Ply 3mm | <del>30</del> 20 | 100 | <del>Miron</del> Simon +||||| 
-Ply 4mm | 20 | 100 | Miron | +Ply     | 3mm | 30 | 100 | Miron - speed 50 cuts fine, but stutters at curves, 30 is safer 
-Ply 6mm | 9 | 100 | Miron | +:::     4mm | 20 | 100 | Miron | 
-| MDF 2mm | 30 | 100 | Miron | +:::     6mm | 9 | 100 | Miron | 
-MDF 3mm | 22 | 100 | Miron | +||||| 
-MDF 4mm | 16 | 100 | Miron | +MDF     | 2mm | 30 | 100 | Miron | 
-MDF 6mm | 10 | 100 | Miron | +:::     3mm | 22 | 100 | Miron | 
-Paper |  |  |  | +:::     4mm | 16 | 100 | Miron | 
-| Card |    +:::     6mm | 10 | 100 | Miron | 
-Engraving Laminate 1.5mm 50 | 100 | Miron +||||| 
-Engraving Laminate 3mm |  |  |  |+^ Laminate | 1.5mm | 50 | 100 | Miron | 
 +| :::                | 3mm |  |  |  
 +| ||||| 
 +^ PTFE (Teflon) | 1mm | 35 | 100 | Mike | 
 +| ||||
 +| Card (200gsm) || 40-55 30 | Scott 
 +Card fold line (200gsm) || 100 | 30 | Scott 
 +Paper        ||  |  |  |
  
-^ Material ^ Engrave Speed ^ (Range of) Engrave Power ^ Notes ^ +^ Material ^ Engrave Speed ^ Engrave Power ^ Notes ^ 
-| Acrylic |    +| Acrylic | 350 50 Miron 
-| Ply |    +| Ply | 500 30 Bart 
-| MDF |    +| MDF | 350 50 Miron 
-| Laminate |    |+| Laminate | 350 | 50 | Miron | 
 +| Card (200gsm) | 500 30 Scott |
  
 Minimum power setting for the laser to turn on: 19 Minimum power setting for the laser to turn on: 19
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 Before general use: Before general use:
  
-  * <del>Create and fit a bracket to hold the air assist tube away from the drive belt 
-</del> 
-  * <del>Clean laser tube water channels</del> 
-  * <del>Test optical power output and calibrate to a sensible maximum (e.g. 66% of peak rating)</del> 
-  * Create chart of power/speed settings for common materials (as a basic rule, multiply speeds from the old chart by 3x) 
-    * Ply ✔ 
-    * MDF ✘ 
-    * Acrylic ✘ 
-  * <del>Documentation for existing laser cutter users</del> 
   * Update docs:   * Update docs:
     * If Z-axis needs to be moved, take care not to crash into the nozzle. Releasing the nozzle locking ring will allow the nozzle to collapse instead of crashing.      * If Z-axis needs to be moved, take care not to crash into the nozzle. Releasing the nozzle locking ring will allow the nozzle to collapse instead of crashing. 
-  * <del>**Fix extraction**</del> 
-    * <del>Fume extraction is unacceptable at the moment. Fumes or light haze will fill the room. This appears to be caused by fumes re-entering via the window, and not by lack of extraction in the cutter itself.</del> 
-    * <del>Possible solution: seal the window properly.</del> Better seals have been installed and the situation is better, but not good enough. 
-    * <del>Possible solution: divert the fumes up or down away from the window.</del> 
  
 Soon, but don't wait: Soon, but don't wait:
  
-  * <del>Fit replacement alignment laser (ordered 6th April)</del> 
-  * <del>Fit extraction duct mountings on right-hand access door (order delayed, re-sent 10th April) 
-</del> 
-  * Create spare focus jigs (requires 12mm acrylic, or a new design) 
   * Build and install monitoring system (laser usage, temperature logging)   * Build and install monitoring system (laser usage, temperature logging)
-  * <del>Fully check and adjust alignment</del> 
-  * <del>Re-level bed. 
-</del> 
 Later: Later:
  
   * Order spares: silicone tubing, <del>mirrors, lens,</del> rotary attachment o-rings   * Order spares: silicone tubing, <del>mirrors, lens,</del> rotary attachment o-rings
-  * <del>Purchase and install tinted polycarbonate window, 1185x920mm.</del> +  * <del>Replace broken acrylic cover on front-loading slot.</del> make the two halves of front loading slot not fall off by cutting an extra slot into each of them and adding an extra screw to secure them in the middle 
-  * <del>Install vent in G2 door to provide better air flow.</del> +  * Design and make a better rotary tool
-  * <del>Upgrade internal (to chassis) extraction ducts (use PU ducts instead of foil, merge rear and hopper 100mm ducts into a 150mm duct for egress). Optionally replace flexible door-join with a foam seal. **ACTION: MIKE**</del> +
-  * <del>Upgrade cutter-to-blower duct to PU or semi-flexible aluminium 150mm. **ACTION: MIKE** +
-</del> +
-  * Install ducts to roof and upgrade blower, to avoid releasing fumes onto courtyard users. **ACTION: PETE** +
-  * <del>Install LED lighting. **ACTION: ALFIE**</del> +
-  * Replace broken acrylic cover on front-loading slot.+
  
 ===== Guide for existing laser cutter users ===== ===== Guide for existing laser cutter users =====
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   * The enclosure is very large and smoke/fumes take longer to clear. Leave the case closed for 10 seconds after cutting to allow the extraction system to catch up.   * The enclosure is very large and smoke/fumes take longer to clear. Leave the case closed for 10 seconds after cutting to allow the extraction system to catch up.
   * The air assist is adjustable. Always make sure that it's enabled (on the top control panel) and that the valve (on the right hand side) is open. It's okay to reduce the air assist for delicate materials like paper, but there should always be **some** air flow enabled to protect the lens.   * The air assist is adjustable. Always make sure that it's enabled (on the top control panel) and that the valve (on the right hand side) is open. It's okay to reduce the air assist for delicate materials like paper, but there should always be **some** air flow enabled to protect the lens.
-  * <del>The window is clear. This should absorb the infra-red laser, but it doesn't block much of the visible flash when the laser hits the honeycomb bed. So **don't stare directly at the cutting point**.</del> 
   * The window is **tinted as all hell**. This should absorb the infra-red laser and most of the light from the laser. Emphasis on the **should**.   * The window is **tinted as all hell**. This should absorb the infra-red laser and most of the light from the laser. Emphasis on the **should**.
 ===== Checklists ===== ===== Checklists =====
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   * check that the rear access panel (laser power supply) is closed properly   * check that the rear access panel (laser power supply) is closed properly
   * check that the access controller is logged-in   * check that the access controller is logged-in
 +
 +==== Nozzle quickly "jumps" and looses alignment while moving between cuts ====
 +In LaserCut 5.3, File>Machine Options>Worktable
 +Make sure "Quick speed" is set to a sensible value like 300, work-acc to 500 and space-acc to 500
  
 ==== Nozzle moves but doesn't cut ==== ==== Nozzle moves but doesn't cut ====
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   * even if the temperature does fall, **REPORT A FAULT** as the chiller should normally be able to keep up   * even if the temperature does fall, **REPORT A FAULT** as the chiller should normally be able to keep up
  
-===== Log ===== 
  
-2018-03-25: 
-  * Moved into G2 and re-assembled 
- 
-2018-03-30: 
-  * Extraction installed, laser tested. 
- 
-2018-04-11: 
-  * New alignment laser fitted. Wiring partially replaced and re-soldered. Air tube re-secured. 
-  * Laser tube disinfected with water/Milton for an hour. Water channels still appear dirty.  
-  * Optical power tested. 
-    * 90% = 40mA = 132W 
-    * 66% = 30mA = 126W 
-    * 55% = 25mA = 116W (selected) 
- 
-2018-05-04: 
-  * Proof-of-concept LED strip lighting fitted - to be replaced with a proper solution if it proves useful 
- 
-2018-05-14: 
-  * Internal ducting upgraded (PU ducts, internal combiner to 150mm and 150mm to the blower). Significant improvement to extraction, but more testing is still required to see whether fumes are re-entering via window. 
- 
-2018-05-15: 
-  * Mike found a leak in the flexible square section after the blower. It has been plugged with hot glue and seems to be fixed. The smell of fumes in the corner while cutting is reduced now, but still there. There may be a small leak where the square tube seals against the wood panel (on the left behind the blower). 
- 
-2018-05-28: 
-  * Bed levelled. 
- 
-2018-07-14: 
-  * New tinted window fitted: it is now safe to stare directly at the beam. Also at some point proper LED lighting was installed but wasn't logged.  
- 
-2018-07-19: 
-  * The bed level was checked and it's within 1mm all over. The axes were checked and they're within ~0.2mm over ~200mm. 
- 
-2018-09-22: 
-  * Tube #2 (from Smoke and Mirrors) installed. All mirrors realigned to a reasonable (but not perfect) standard. Power level set to 33%. 
  
 ===== Other Specifications (for maintenance) =====  ===== Other Specifications (for maintenance) ===== 
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   * {{ :private:lasercut53-backup-20180315.zip |}} - backup of previous owner's LaserCut53 installation   * {{ :private:lasercut53-backup-20180315.zip |}} - backup of previous owner's LaserCut53 installation
   * {{ :mpc6515hardwaremanual.pdf | MPC6515 controller manual }}   * {{ :mpc6515hardwaremanual.pdf | MPC6515 controller manual }}
 +  * [[https://bristol.hackspace.org.uk/wiki/doku.php?id=equipment:a0_laser_cutter:prep|Bristol Hackspace's guide to LaserCut 5.3]]
 ===== Access Control ===== ===== Access Control =====
  
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   * Detect cutting sessions and report the most recent on the LCD   * Detect cutting sessions and report the most recent on the LCD
   * Potentially, log fume/particulate levels   * Potentially, log fume/particulate levels
 +
 +===== Log =====
 +
 +2018-03-25:
 +  * Moved into G2 and re-assembled
 +
 +2018-03-30:
 +  * Extraction installed, laser tested.
 +
 +2018-04-11:
 +  * New alignment laser fitted. Wiring partially replaced and re-soldered. Air tube re-secured.
 +  * Laser tube disinfected with water/Milton for an hour. Water channels still appear dirty. 
 +  * Optical power tested.
 +    * 90% = 40mA = 132W
 +    * 66% = 30mA = 126W
 +    * 55% = 25mA = 116W (selected)
 +
 +2018-05-04:
 +  * Proof-of-concept LED strip lighting fitted - to be replaced with a proper solution if it proves useful
 +
 +2018-05-14:
 +  * Internal ducting upgraded (PU ducts, internal combiner to 150mm and 150mm to the blower). Significant improvement to extraction, but more testing is still required to see whether fumes are re-entering via window.
 +
 +2018-05-15:
 +  * Mike found a leak in the flexible square section after the blower. It has been plugged with hot glue and seems to be fixed. The smell of fumes in the corner while cutting is reduced now, but still there. There may be a small leak where the square tube seals against the wood panel (on the left behind the blower).
 +
 +2018-05-28:
 +  * Bed levelled.
 +
 +2018-07-14:
 +  * New tinted window fitted: it is now safe to stare directly at the beam. Also at some point proper LED lighting was installed but wasn't logged. 
 +
 +2018-07-19:
 +  * The bed level was checked and it's within 1mm all over. The axes were checked and they're within ~0.2mm over ~200mm.
 +
 +2018-09-22:
 +  * Tube #2 (from Smoke and Mirrors) installed. All mirrors realigned to a reasonable (but not perfect) standard. Power level set to 33%.
 +
 +2020-03-03:
 +  * Fettled the rear safety switch for the door to make it work reliably again.
 +
 +2020-08-08:
 +  * The mirrors were realigned, the actual laser tube was sitting about 2mm too low and the field was slightly crooked with the top right corner shooting too high. It seems to that the body of the laser had bent back to its original geometry from the time we've got the laser in 2018. It has probably happened due to the different location and maybe better floor. The intermittent issue of the tube switching off could not be replicated, the HV wires were checked but no obvious burn or oxidation marks have been identified. 
 +
 +2021-08-05:
 +  * "I recently found that pressing the arrow buttons would only "jog" it by a centimetre at a time and I couldn't get it to move continuously while holding it down" (Julian)
 +  * "I think the wire harness for the Y axis is troublesome. I think the motor wires are still fine but the limit switch is dead. Also - after jiggerypockering the X axis limit switch wire the issue describes by Julian has gone (it shouldn't but it did). I suggest we get good quality silicone wires, the AWG22 for all signal stuff and 4way  AWG 16-18 for the stepper motors (they are 2A so need more meat) and gather in a group of 2-3 members to rewire the motors, laser pointer and all the limit switches." (Costa)
 +
 +2021-11-24:
 +  * "Both Y and Z axes weren't moving - I spent a while with it tonight and figured out and fixed the Y axis - stepper driver wasn't getting power - but haven't been able to fix Z. It's not the same problem, Z driver is lighting up, it just won't move." (Julian)
 +
 +2021-12-02:
 +  * "Laser is fixed, the connector that plugs into the motherboard got loose and signal wasn't reaching the driver. Tighten up and homed it. All works fine now. Obviously checked all others too. All cool." (Costa)
 +
 +2022-05-19:
 +  * "Having an issue with one of the axis (I believe x? The front to back one) was not working after removing the rotary (and obviously resetting the switches to normal position)" (Diarmaid)
 +  * "The laser is fixed, the big switch [that switches between the rotary axis and the normal axis] needs to be looked at in the future." (Costa)
  
 {{tag>equipment}} {{tag>equipment}}
lasercutter2.1560376091.txt.gz · Last modified: 2019-06-12 21:48 by mirza

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