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Laser V

Discussion in 'Laser Cutters' started by Robert Hummel, Nov 30, 2013.

  1. JCPhlux

    JCPhlux Well-Known
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    yup.
     
  2. its_crussell

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    Awesome build Robert, I made an account just to let you know. I'm working on building my own laser cutter/engraver and yours is the cleanest design I've seen yet. Could you elaborate on why you used a relay and a transistor for turning the laser on/off from the Arduino's digital output pin? I've seen in done multiple ways: with relays, transistors, MOSFETS, etc... Is this design changing at all for the M140 diode system?
     
  3. AlexUT

    AlexUT New
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    Very helpful! Thank you! Following this thread http://www.photonlexicon.com/forums...CNC-Laser-Engraving-8bit-Shades-of-Grey-445nm I noticed that the author started with a 2 watt 445 and ended up expanding to 2 2 watt 445s angled to share the same focal point. I wonder if the current board and software will allow for that?
     
  4. Rich C

    Rich C New
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    (edited for clarity) Robert, has a complete BOM been posted somewhere yet? Also, by any chance, do you have any blank PCB's avail?

    Thanks
    Rich
     
    #364 Rich C, Oct 23, 2014
    Last edited: Oct 23, 2014
  5. Tweakie

    Tweakie OpenBuilds Team
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    Interesting one this because the laws of spectral physics tells us that combining two laser beams in this manner does not work yet from practical experimentation JJW tells us that it does work.


    Tweakie.
     
  6. DiggerJ

    DiggerJ Journeyman
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    Could this be because he might have the beams more finely focused and aimed side-by-side to make a total beam size the same as a single, not optimally sized beam? Would that allow the speed increase he desires?

    I am just trying to figure out how it might be possible.
     
  7. Tweakie

    Tweakie OpenBuilds Team
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    I really don’t know just how it does work (because science dictates that it does not) but I have known JJW for a good few years and if he says it works then it does.

    You could be right about the side by side thing but JJW does focus the two beams to exactly the same minimal sized spot (one on top of each other) on the surface of the work.
    At the focal distance he is using the depth of field is greater than the penetration so the two beams remain (for the most part) on top of one another.

    There are many mysteries in physics, perhaps this is one of them ??


    Tweakie.
     
  8. Robert Hummel

    Robert Hummel Custom Builder
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    I had word that my new LD3X boards would be started this week coming.
    It's bin a bit of a struggle to have them produced at a fare cost so I'm hoping that this pans out.

    I have tried to convert my boards layout for milling but have not succeeded generating the code and sadly don't have the time.

    Just to many OX plate orders and life lol I have 4 sets cut sitting for clean up and milling the added kit parts now but the just never seems to be enough hours in the day

    I have ordered 50 production boards and will assemble/ship them to OB store for distribution ASAP

    The LD3X is what's running the Fiber 445 OX just to get an idea of what's coming :)
     
  9. Robert Hummel

    Robert Hummel Custom Builder
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    This was part of what inspired my first build with the M140 :)

    I'm not sure how it works myself but have seen up to 5 diode arrays.

    Really there are two ways of controlling the darkness of your burn.

    1. Speed, faster is lighter
    2. Multi stage driver board that that works in the same fashion as a adjustable digital regulator and triggers the corresponding shade of gray or power to the diode keeping the speed at a constant rate

    It would require a ton of testing to figure out what levels of power produced what shade of gray but in the end that's a little over my head as I suck big time when it comes to software dev
     
  10. Robert Hummel

    Robert Hummel Custom Builder
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    Short answer is reliability and price.
    For the average hobby folk price predicts most builds.
    A $15 IC for the diode compared to a $1.50 relay and 2 fifty cent regulators that can do the same thing, just as well made my mind up real fast ;)
     
  11. AlexUT

    AlexUT New
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    #1 seems easier :)

    Btw can't wait for the LD3X!
     
  12. Rich C

    Rich C New
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    Robert, will I be able to purchase just a blank PCB from you? I kinda like the idea of building it myself...

    Rich
     
  13. Robert Hummel

    Robert Hummel Custom Builder
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    not an issue at all :)
     
  14. Rich C

    Rich C New
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    That would be an LDX3 board, right?

    Just send me a pm on cost and a paypal addy to send it to. Heck, I may even buy 5 blank boards from you if you'll let me (Christmas presents) :)
     
  15. Rich C

    Rich C New
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    Robert, any word on those boards?

    Rich
     
  16. Robert Hummel

    Robert Hummel Custom Builder
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    Boards are on the way from what I'm told, it took them for ever but say now that they have the setup more boards will come sooner but we will wait and see what I receive in the mail.
     
  17. AlexUT

    AlexUT New
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    Unsure of the official policy on 'dibs', put me down for 1 please :)
     
  18. Robert Hummel

    Robert Hummel Custom Builder
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    LD3X parts are rolling in :D
    image.jpg
     
  19. DiggerJ

    DiggerJ Journeyman
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    Hey Robert, is there a flexible plastic sheet that has the same protective properties as the laser glasses? I was thinking of putting some small rare earth magnets around the upper and lower router mount and wrapping a sheet of protective material areound the mount to be able to see through while laser cutting/burning. I would still be wearing the protective glasses. That way if someone came down and did not heef the sign, they would have some amount of protection until I yelled at them.

    Make sense?
     
  20. Robert Hummel

    Robert Hummel Custom Builder
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    To tell you the truth I'm not sure, there must be something because that is the same idea as welders sheet " a yellowish plastic tarp "
    I use 6 mm dark red acrylic that I can tell does something because with the glasses on and looking through the acrylic all that is visible is the dot at the contact point of the laser.
    Something I will check out :)

    You got me thinking now lol
    Time to source a laser power meter ;)
     
  21. Tweakie

    Tweakie OpenBuilds Team
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    Please be extremely careful here guys, eyes are precious.

    The only filters that are safe to use are those which are OD rated at the wavelength of the laser being used.

    Without the proper test equipment could we ever be sure that a particular piece of coloured acrylic would truly filter out the harmful element ?? and I, for one, would certainly not even consider using ‘trial and error’ to find out.


    Tweakie.
     
  22. Robert Hummel

    Robert Hummel Custom Builder
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    That I will Tweakie
    I am going to do some good investigating on many different material to see just how safe some of the protective gear out there is what they claim.
    For me a power meter with the ability to measure up to 10 watts should be fine, I don't play with anything more then 2 watts.

    And yes I can't stress enough take all SAFTY measures and a hand over the eyes don't count :D
     
  23. DiggerJ

    DiggerJ Journeyman
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    My concern is not for me, as I will be wearing glasses. I am trying to add a level of protection to someone on the way to the laundry room and not paying attention to the sign that the laser is in use. I already plan to hang an extra pair of glasses upstairs by the door, but we all know that not everyone pays attention.
     
  24. slittle

    slittle New
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    Man I should have NEVER followed this build and thread as I fear I am addicted, I can smell Foamie aircraft laser table in my future with a hot wire option included..
     
    Menneset and Robert Hummel like this.
  25. OMAR

    OMAR New
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    Hey guys, just wondering if you'd recommend that someone with zero experience with building machines such as the one in this thread to go ahead with trying this one out? I've was planning on buying a laser cutter but this looks more fun :)
     
  26. Robert Hummel

    Robert Hummel Custom Builder
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    T
    that is a bit of a loaded question....
    I can say, that I didnt know anything myself and this build is what got me started in the cnc hobby.
    Read, read and then read some more lasers are just as dangerous as they are fun
     
    Derwin Palacpac and Menneset like this.
  27. Menneset

    Menneset New
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    Building your own is certainly more fun, plus you do learn a lot. It can still be a little expensive to buy all the parts though. The mechanics are not to tough thanks to products like OpenBuild extrusions and connectors. The software required may be a little rough around the edges. How are you with simple wiring?
     
  28. Rich C

    Rich C New
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    Robert, any word on those boards?
     
  29. Robert Hummel

    Robert Hummel Custom Builder
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    Ok so here is the up to date BOM to build your own LD3X board, I will post the updated PCB layout when I get to my laptop

    1 x Arduino Nano
    4 x Stepsticks
    70 male pin headers
    8 x 8 pin female headers
    2 x 15 female headers
    3 x 2 terminal screw blocks
    2 x LM317t regulators
    1 x 7805 regulator
    1 x 100 ohm pot
    1 x 5k pot
    1 x PC817 opto coupler
    1 x .87 ohm 2 watt resistor
    1 x 100 ohm 1/4 watt resistor
    1 x 5 vdc 2 amp PCB relay "part number to come"
    3 x heatsinks TO-220 type
    1 x .1 uf cap
    1 x 10 uf 50v cap
    1 x 220 uf 50v cap
    4 x 100 uf 50v cap
    4 x 470 uf 50v cap
    12 x pin jumpers
     
  30. Rich C

    Rich C New
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    Ronert, message sent...
     

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