LaserCutter

 

LaserCutter Release status: unknown [box doku]
Description	A Laser to cut stuff
Download	OwnCloud Share

We bought a laser! This page should be used for documenting stuff.

Features

• Big build area (120 x 90 cm )
• Red light mode for dry run (could need a second laser source ) - TODO
• 80W CO2 (see [1]), wavelength ≈ 10 microns
• AWC608 Controller (see [3])

Components / Parts

• Anywells AWC608 Laser Engraving Cutting Controller
• Step Up Converter LM2596S (maximum input voltage 35V)

Handover

Videos: https://www.flickr.com/gp/peterfroehlich/37Y0h0

Documentation: https://www.dropbox.com/sh/enh2fepkbfpnuyg/AAB81zYn4_yINY1aRJK2Tknsa?dl=0

Knowledge

Laser saur manual (our cutter is NOT a laser saur, but there are some similarities: http://www.lasersaur.com/manual/

Awesome source of knowledge about diy laser cutters: http://www.buildlog.net/

ToDo

• wire up electronics and HAL sensor <done>
• Review power circuitry <done>
• Install FlowSensor in Chiller (was already installed)
• Learn serial protocol of Chiller (Adrian) There is no serial :/
• Complete outer case (to avoid escaping beam)
• Complete inner case (to avoid escaping exhaust gases) (Ricardo)
• Build exhaust venting system
• Install gas cylinders to prop up hood (see [4] for choosing correct cylinders) (Eymen) <done>
• insert optical components
• calibrate optical components [6]
• connecting laser tube
• inside illumination (white leds)
• write manual and documentation (Jorgen)

System check panel

We should build a panel to check for the environment of the printer. It can be driven by an Arduino and use colored leds as output. And it should block the lasers operation if something is wrong.

--> Adrian, Heiko (Code review by Peter?)

Checks should include:

• Water flow (Built into chiller, digital)
• Chiller temp (measured before and after chiller)
• Exhaust fan (differetial pressure --> Heiko; digital)
• water leak under the chiller and in connection pipe (digital) (--> Heiko)
• lid closed (reed contacts --> Peter) <done>

Maybe later:

• Compressor running
• power consumption (???)
• ...

Finance

When we have this thing running, we maybe need to think how we can get the costs back in. A 100W laser tube costs around 1200€ and has a lifetime of 6000-10000h.

As discussed on the 20150315_Plenum, we will start with the following structure:

• 2€ per 10min for members, 3€ for HuS, 4€ for non-members

Inspiration

Some connectors: - https://www.flickr.com/photos/satiredun/15868308421/sizes/o/ 'PCB' out of steel: - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OtZQoIheYcc

Additional Parts

• Gas spring, Price 24€, Manufacturer Shockex, Part number 1181202100, Amazon [5], Force: 320 N, Outer diameter 1: 18 mm, outer diameter 2: 8 mm, Stroke length: 187 mm, Lenght: 468 mm

Sources

• [1]: http://support.epiloglaser.com/article/8205/42827/
• [2]: http://www.lasersaur.com/
• [3]: http://www.lightobject.com/AWC608-Commercial-DSP-CO2-Laser-Engraving-Cutter-Controller-P321.aspx
• [4]: http://www.gasfedershop.de/gasfeder_berechnung/
• [5]: http://www.amazon.de/gp/product/B008MPR8W8
• [6]: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wpsi3tKJGMo