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Portable Diode Laser Cutter

Discussion in 'Laser Cutters' started by Rob Taylor, Feb 9, 2018.

  1. Rob Taylor

    Rob Taylor Master
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    Rob Taylor published a new build:

    Read more about this build...
     
  2. Rob Taylor

    Rob Taylor Master
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    Still a fair bit of work left to go, and a very long way behind schedule thanks to a variety of factors not really relating to the build itself, but I have enough "non-talking" content now to be reasonably happy actually publishing it. There'll be a ton of pictures added, full parts list including material stock, etc.

    Edit: thrown a temporary build image on there of the only somewhat-assembled photo I have thus far.
     
  3. Mark Carew

    Mark Carew OpenBuilds Team
    Staff Member Moderator Builder Resident Builder

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    Well done Rob! This is a great build and I am really enjoying watching though the videos. Thank you for the share :thumbsup:
     
  4. Rob Taylor

    Rob Taylor Master
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    New video and pics in the build! This is a z-axis both with neither a travelling motor nor a protruding rail. Bit tricky, but I like the results and how compact they are to the gantry rail, minimal flapping around under acceleration (per video 1's requirements). I think it could potentially be transferred even to router builds, with the appropriate reinforcements and a fully-enclosed screw nut (best off with a flange-mounted ballscrew in this design, but anti-backlash ACME with thrust bearings in a U-bracket could work maybe).

    [​IMG]

    I know @RobSaunders and a couple others were looking at laser z-axis options while I was building this over in his thread, I don't know if this is useful or not, but just in case.

    Thanks man! I finally get to use those extra sticks of 4020 you sent me all these years later, hahaha. I did actually do the test they were for, and the results weren't super great. Joining them definitely isn't gonna happen without some serious support, not just a couple of double tee nuts. Even with a proper bracket, you need a perfect finish on the ends- milled, maybe a little lapping, and ideally no deburring, just razor edges, or the wheels pick up that slight little divot as they cross the line. Just a straight saw cut didn't even come close. So it's kinda tough to do, especially when you need to protect the ends whilst still moving around a portable project.

    I guess that makes this an "OpenBuilds sponsored build" though, hahah.
     
    #4 Rob Taylor, Feb 24, 2018
    Last edited: Feb 24, 2018
    RobSaunders and Mark Carew like this.
  5. RobSaunders

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    Hey Rob that looks nice. I really love seeing other ideas. FYI I uploaded a video on my build page showing my Z-Axis in action when initiating the "Homing" cycle if your interested.
     
  6. Rob Taylor

    Rob Taylor Master
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    I saw that, looking good!

    Still working on the video, but I added some frame-building pics to the build. I've had a couple jobs come in, so I don't know how fast the rest of it will come together, Hopefully quickly, because I'm kinda looking forward to doing the grbl video!

    _MG_5073.jpg
     
  7. Rob Taylor

    Rob Taylor Master
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    Video 5, framing up, uploaded in the build section. Next up, grbl and wiring up!

    Untitled-1.jpg
     
  8. Rob Taylor

    Rob Taylor Master
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    Wiring is going quite slowly (admittedly I got distracted with playing testing for a while) because I have very specific requirements and I'm trying to anticipate as much as possible ahead of time. Haven't started shooting the video yet, just picking up footage here and there where it's made sense.

    A few update pics to demonstrate progress!

    The original mess of wiring:

    Photo Jan 09, 06 19 44.jpg

    (Terminal blocks are my new best friend!)

    Wheee, lasery goodness!

    Photo Jan 08, 18 02 58.jpg

    (Chunky kerf, hadn't pushed the feed high enough yet, this was very early)

    Making something useful! Hard to use Dykem on wood.

    Photo Jan 12, 18 20 28.jpg

    Can't make a thing with a laser cutter without giving it an etched nameplate, it's against the Maker Code! (A little toasty on the pocketing operation here, should've run a couple tests first) Stoopid stepper driver died when I was finished, but a new one should be here today.

    Photo Jan 13, 17 48 54.jpg

    (The backwards-screws as captive keycaps are my favourite thing ever)

    Now to make this thing pretty!

    Photo Jan 17, 08 16 05.jpg

    (Welds on the bridge/RF shield leave a lot to be desired, for a variety of reasons, but they're not holding much so I don't care)

    Onwards!
     
    GrayUK likes this.

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