Laser - Revision history

Dakmh: /* Gantry */

2013-05-17T14:54:11Z

‎Gantry

Dakmh: /* Gantry */

2013-05-17T14:52:30Z

‎Gantry

Dakmh: /* Alignment */

2013-05-17T14:49:13Z

‎Alignment

Dakmh: Adding alignment

2013-05-17T14:43:45Z

Adding alignment

Dakmh: Added minimal software section

2013-05-16T14:55:30Z

Added minimal software section

Dakmh: Added materials section that links to infobase page

2013-05-13T15:48:49Z

Added materials section that links to infobase page

Dakmh: Added About section

2013-05-09T18:34:17Z

Added About section

Dakmh: Added cleaning and floor removal info

2013-05-09T18:26:21Z

Added cleaning and floor removal info

Dakmh: Subtitle change

2013-05-09T17:45:03Z

Subtitle change

Dakmh: Attempting to repurpose Laser page

2013-05-09T17:36:47Z

Attempting to repurpose Laser page

@@ Line 101: / Line 101: @@
 Optics aren't the only things that need alignment: we had a problem with the lens gantry being off-square.  It was producing parallelograms instead of rectangles in some cases.  There appear to be a couple potential methods to fix this.  The one [[User:Dakmh| I]] found easiest was to [http://www.fullspectrumengineering.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=7768&p=12203 de-couple the drive shaft between left and right rails].  This method only requires loosening one setscrew (right side of the right coupler), and allows the sides of the gantry to be adjusted independently without messing with anything else.
-Make sure you realign the optics after aligning the gantry.
+Make sure you realign the optics after aligning the gantry.  You should be able to just adjust mirror 2 to bring the spot back in line with mirror 3, but it's good to check the whole optical path.
 == [[Laser_infobase | Materials]] ==

← Older revision		Revision as of 14:52, 17 May 2013
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	Optics aren't the only things that need alignment: we had a problem with the lens gantry being off-square. It was producing parallelograms instead of rectangles in some cases. There appear to be a couple potential methods to fix this. The one [[User:Dakmh\| I]] found easiest was to [http://www.fullspectrumengineering.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=7768&p=12203 de-couple the drive shaft between left and right rails]. This method only requires loosening one setscrew (right side of the right coupler), and allows the sides of the gantry to be adjusted independently without messing with anything else.		Optics aren't the only things that need alignment: we had a problem with the lens gantry being off-square. It was producing parallelograms instead of rectangles in some cases. There appear to be a couple potential methods to fix this. The one [[User:Dakmh\| I]] found easiest was to [http://www.fullspectrumengineering.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=7768&p=12203 de-couple the drive shaft between left and right rails]. This method only requires loosening one setscrew (right side of the right coupler), and allows the sides of the gantry to be adjusted independently without messing with anything else.
		+
		+	Make sure you realign the optics after aligning the gantry.

	== [[Laser_infobase \| Materials]] ==		== [[Laser_infobase \| Materials]] ==

@@ Line 93: / Line 93: @@
 Our laser is currently: Chaotic Good.
-After you clean the laser, it's a good idea to check alignment of the optics.  [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pajHlcezujU This video] can help walk you through that process.  The manual contains a full description of the alignment process, but can be hard to follow.
+=== Optics ===
 Optics aren't the only things that need alignment: we had a problem with the lens gantry being off-square.  It was producing parallelograms instead of rectangles in some cases.  There appear to be a couple potential methods to fix this.  The one [[User:Dakmh| I]] found easiest was to [http://www.fullspectrumengineering.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=7768&p=12203 de-couple the drive shaft between left and right rails].  This method only requires loosening one setscrew (right side of the right coupler), and allows the sides of the gantry to be adjusted independently without messing with anything else.

← Older revision		Revision as of 14:43, 17 May 2013
Line 88:		Line 88:

	The floor can be cleaned the same as the grid (minus the soaking, of course).		The floor can be cleaned the same as the grid (minus the soaking, of course).
		+
		+	== Alignment ==
		+
		+	Our laser is currently: Chaotic Good.
		+
		+	After you clean the laser, it's a good idea to check alignment of the optics. [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pajHlcezujU This video] can help walk you through that process. The manual contains a full description of the alignment process, but can be hard to follow.
		+
		+	Optics aren't the only things that need alignment: we had a problem with the lens gantry being off-square. It was producing parallelograms instead of rectangles in some cases. There appear to be a couple potential methods to fix this. The one [[User:Dakmh\| I]] found easiest was to [http://www.fullspectrumengineering.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=7768&p=12203 de-couple the drive shaft between left and right rails]. This method only requires loosening one setscrew (right side of the right coupler), and allows the sides of the gantry to be adjusted independently without messing with anything else.

	== [[Laser_infobase \| Materials]] ==		== [[Laser_infobase \| Materials]] ==

← Older revision		Revision as of 14:55, 16 May 2013
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	As you cut and engrave materials with the laser, please record the settings you had success with there.		As you cut and engrave materials with the laser, please record the settings you had success with there.
		+
		+	== Software ==
		+
		+	Prints, whether cuts or engraves, go through Full Spectrum's RetinaEngrave virtual print driver and motion control interpreter. Anything that will print in Windows should be able to print to this.
		+
		+	[http://inkscape.org/ Inkscape] is a free, cross-platform, open source vector graphics tool that works well for setting up vector cuts.
		+
		+	[http://www.gimp.org/ GIMP] is a free, cross-platform, open source raster graphics tool that works well for editing images to be engraved.

	== Using the removable bottom ==		== Using the removable bottom ==

← Older revision		Revision as of 15:48, 13 May 2013
Line 88:		Line 88:

	The floor can be cleaned the same as the grid (minus the soaking, of course).		The floor can be cleaned the same as the grid (minus the soaking, of course).
		+
		+	== [[Laser_infobase \| Materials]] ==
		+
		+	Check the [[Laser_infobase \| Laser Infobase]] page for an ever-growing list of materials and settings.
		+
		+	As you cut and engrave materials with the laser, please record the settings you had success with there.

	== Using the removable bottom ==		== Using the removable bottom ==

@@ Line 4: / Line 4: @@
 == Safety ==
-'''Don't cut anything particularly flammable or noxious.''' Check the [[Laser_infobase#Things_you_should_not_put_in_the_laser_cutter | Laser Infobase page for this list]]
+'''Don't cut anything particularly flammable or noxious. Absolutely NO chlorinated plastics (PVC).''' Check the [[Laser_infobase#Things_you_should_not_put_in_the_laser_cutter | Laser Infobase page for the complete list]]
 ===Fire===
@@ Line 22: / Line 22: @@
 The lid should absorb most laser radiation, but if you're cutting reflective material, it wouldn't hurt to use the tinted safety glasses (should be located near the laser).
 == Operation ==

@@ Line 28: / Line 28: @@
 === Quick Start ===
 * Turn on main power strip
 * Verify water pump is pumping water (you should be able to feel the flow in either hose)
 * Verify ventilation fan, and air assist compressor are running
 * Start/attach dedicated computer and start up RetinaEngrave
 * Home lens head by using home button on device or pressing 'H' in RetinaEngrave
@@ Line 51: / Line 52: @@
 == Lenses and Focusing ==
 ===Standard lens===
@@ Line 68: / Line 71: @@
 We will probably be making additional focal billets for the other lenses.  Until then, they may still be used fairly easily by measuring the distance of their focal length to either the surface (for engraving) or half the thickness (for cutting) of your material.
 == Using the removable bottom ==
 [[Category:Training]] [[Category:Laser]]

← Older revision		Revision as of 17:45, 9 May 2013
Line 1:		Line 1:
−	~~Page for getting folks up to speed on the laser~~.	+	Essential information about operating our LASER cutter and engraver.

← Older revision		Revision as of 17:36, 9 May 2013
Line 1:		Line 1:
−	#~~REDIRECT~~ [[Laser ~~Drive~~]]	+	Page for getting folks up to speed on the laser.
		+
		+
		+	== Safety ==
		+
		+	'''Don't cut anything particularly flammable or noxious.''' Check the [[Laser_infobase#Things_you_should_not_put_in_the_laser_cutter \| Laser Infobase page for this list]]
		+
		+	===Fire===
		+	When using the laser, whether for engraving or cutting, stay and watch your job.
		+
		+	Know where the fire extinguisher is and be ready to use it.
		+
		+	If your job catches on fire:
		+	* You are more important than the laser--do not put yourself in unnecessary danger to save the laser. (Cf. Bloominglabs rules)
		+	* Use your judgment--flare-ups will happen, and most go out quickly (a second or so) on their own.
		+	* Any flame lasting longer than a second or two is a fire--put it out.
		+
		+	===Eye safety===
		+	Do not look directly into either the cutting laser or even the visible targeting laser.
		+
		+	Make sure the lid is down before you even try starting your job. There is an integrated safety lock-out, but don't rely on this.
		+
		+	The lid should absorb most laser radiation, but if you're cutting reflective material, it wouldn't hurt to use the tinted safety glasses (should be located near the laser).
		+
		+	== Operation ==
		+
		+	'''Always''' make sure the water pump is working and that there's plenty of water in the reservoir (blue bucket below the blower and compressor). Operating the laser without the cooling system running '''will''' damage it.
		+
		+	=== Quick Start ===
		+	* Turn on main power strip
		+	* Verify water pump is pumping water (you should be able to feel the flow in either hose)
		+	* Verify ventilation fan, and air assist compressor are running
		+	* Make sure print area is clear and clean
		+	* Start/attach dedicated computer and start up RetinaEngrave
		+	* Home lens head by using home button on device or pressing 'H' in RetinaEngrave
		+	* Place material to be cut/etched on honeycomb and focus lens
		+	* Close lid, holding it at the middle so it doesn't catch in the back
		+	* Move lens head to top left of desired print area using either onboard or RetinaEngrave controls
		+	* Adjust speed and power to appropriate levels for material and job
		+	* Run raster portion before vector
		+	* Watch your job like a hawk
		+	* Allow the blower to clear any remaining smoke before opening the lid
		+	* Remove your engraved/cut object!
		+
		+	=== Additional Tips ===
		+	* For higher precision placement of the lens (say, for engraving on small objects) hit the padlock button on the control panel until it says "Unlocked", then use your hands to carefully move the lens to the correct starting location. There's no need to relock the lens position when you are done, just start the operation.
		+
		+	=== [http://fslaser.com/files/hobby-adv-manual-r0.2.pdf RTFLM ] ===
		+
		+	(Read The Frickin' Laser Manual)
		+
		+	== Lenses and Focusing ==
		+
		+	===Standard lens===
		+	* 2" (for cutting and engraving up to 1/4" thick)
		+	** The unmarked aluminum billet stored under the laser is used for focusing this lens.
		+
		+	===Additional lenses===
		+	* 1.5" (for extra fine engraving eg for fonts < 8 points)
		+	* 2.5" (for thicker cutting eg over 1/4" and straighter cuts)
		+	* 5" (for increased working distance eg engraving bowls)
		+
		+	===Focusing===
		+	Per the manual: <blockquote>To focus for engraving or cutting, simply place the billet on
		+	the top of the engraving plane and then release the locking mechanism on the focus head
		+	until the air assist nozzle rests on top of the billet. Then re-tighten the sliding head and
		+	remove the billet from the work piece.</blockquote>
		+
		+	We will probably be making additional focal billets for the other lenses. Until then, they may still be used fairly easily by measuring the distance of their focal length to either the surface (for engraving) or half the thickness (for cutting) of your material.
		+
		+	== Using the removable bottom ==
		+
		+
		+	[[Category:Training]] [[Category:Laser]]