about chinese laser cutters

[buddhafragt]

Hello everyone,
maybe I can help to clear up some misunderstandings about these Chinese laser cutters/engravers.
I am a importer of laser and CNC engraving machines from the Chinese company SUDA. But 99% of the Chinese companies use the controllers MPC03 or MPC05 and other common parts, so what I am talking about being valid for the most machines.

MPC03 is the "old" model, it is a PCI card for the computer and have a SCSI like connector to the laser machine.
it comes with the stand alone software Lasercut 5.0, or you can use a plug-in for CorelDraw. This software has very basically functions, the import filters have some bugs, the software crashes sometimes and some important functions like numeric rotating of objects are not implemented.
The big advantage is: You have direct online control of the machine. You can set the zero point, make a test run for checking the size of the material, you can control the laser power, speed and so on. Problem: The software seems not to develop further.

MPC05 is a controller inside the machine. You can send files with USB from the computer to the machine, then you must chose the file in the menu of the machine, adjust the speed and power and so on... then you can cut.
The system is more precise and stable like MPC03, but you don’t have online-control from the computer, you have to adjust power, speed and so on for every different material at the machine. Very circuitous.
The bad controllers are the peskiest disadvantages of the machines.

Now we are developing a controller board with G-code language and direct program control for most of the Chinese laser cutters and CNC milling machines with USB, LCD display and keyboard. If you are interested, contact me:
buddhafragt@gmx.de

The "hardware" of the laser machines is mostly OK.
All lasers are CO2 "glass tubes", this means: No metal housing cover the tube. in China exist maybe 30 companies for producing these tubes. The quality is different and the machine producer doesn’t tell you from which company the tube is....
Every laser tube is water cooled, the basic cooling method is: water bucket with a aquarium pump inside.... be aware, you don’t have fun with this solution, because the temperature in the laser tube increase after short time and the laser power goes down. Furthermore it is not good for the lifetime and if the pump have a problem... you tube crash. You need a active-cooling laser chiller. He works like a fridge and you can adjust the temperature unchanging to around 10 deg. Celsius.

Most manufacturers deliver a membrane air pump for the machine. You need air pressure inside the laser nozzle, otherwise the lenses soiling. But the air pressure is very low, better you have a compressor up to 4 bar. All professional laser machines have, because the laser beam together with compressed air mostly results in a better cut.

If you plan to import a machine by yourself be aware: The manufacturers have a very bad support. I read here many threads about this problem, but realize: This is normal for all Chinese companies, don’t expect European or American standard.

If you have more questions, I try to answer……


Michael

[bibi]

...and some important functions like numeric rotating of objects are not implemented

click on rotate, then click space key on keyboard an put numeric rotate value!

but I have one problem....

From Yesterday I can`t controlling laser from lasercut 5.0 !? When I put machine on MANUAL laser working, but when I start cutting or engraving on AUTO not laser activating. I think that is no problem with laser tube or controller because I can cutting on manual position but .....

IDEA?

[SkipW]

Originally Posted by buddhafragt MPC05 is a controller inside the machine. You can send files with USB from the computer to the machine, ...then you must chose the file in the menu of the machine, adjust the speed and power and so on then you can cut. The system is more precise and stable like MPC03, but you don’t have online-control from the computer, you have to adjust power, speed and so on

Hi Michael,

I have an LC6090 80W from WKLaser with MPC05 and LaserCut 5. In LC5 I can assign different colors to different parts of an imported drawing and set speed and power according to color right in the software. When I send the file to the laser, it cuts or engraves at the power and speed that I set in LC5. I do have online control from the computer.

Maybe I misunderstood what you were saying, but you sounded like you were saying that you had to adjust the speed and power from the control screen on the laser itself, which isn't the case on my WKLaser machine and LaserCut 5.

Maybe all Chinese lasers aren't made the same but that's the way mine works.

Thanks,
Skip

[lamicron]

Bibi, erase the software and reinstall. Do it every time you cant fix a problem , is the best solution with this LC05,
Luis

[buddhafragt]

Originally Posted by SkipW Hi Michael, I have an LC6090 80W from WKLaser with MPC05 and LaserCut 5. In LC5 I can assign different colors to different parts of an imported drawing and set speed and power according to color right in the software. When I send the file to the laser, it cuts or engraves at the power and speed that I set in LC5. I do have online control from the computer. Skip

Hi Skip, do you sure you have the MPC05 and not the MPC03??
MPC05 is a stand alone controller!

regards
Michael

[apriorius]

Originally Posted by SkipW Hi Michael, I have an LC6090 80W from WKLaser with MPC05 and LaserCut 5. In LC5 I can assign different colors to different parts of an imported drawing and set speed and power according to color right in the software. When I send the file to the laser, it cuts or engraves at the power and speed that I set in LC5. I do have online control from the computer. Maybe I misunderstood what you were saying, but you sounded like you were saying that you had to adjust the speed and power from the control screen on the laser itself, which isn't the case on my WKLaser machine and LaserCut 5. Maybe all Chinese lasers aren't made the same but that's the way mine works. Thanks, Skip

Skip, I think what he's saying is that with the older controller like the one on my JSM40, you start the job directly from your computer and can adjust the parameters directly. On the USB interface you program the job on the computer but have to actually start it from the lasers control panel.

[SkipW]

Originally Posted by buddhafragt Hi Skip, do you sure you have the MPC05 and not the MPC03?? MPC05 is a stand alone controller! regards Michael

Hi Michael,

It is the MPC05. There is a USB port on the side of the laser so I can use one of those small USB cards to transfer files if I want to, but it is also connected to my computer with a USB cable to transfer files directly from the computer. I use the cable for sending files to it, it's quicker and easier, and works great.

It can work as a stand alone or not, it's my choice. Aren't all the MPC05 controlled machines set up this way?

Thanks,
Skip

[SkipW]

Michael,

I looked through the manuals that came with my machine and it says I have the MPC6515 USB controller. Does that sound correct?

Sorry for the confusion.

Skip

[yasafd]

I have a LG1200 Laser Cutter/Engraver (Table Size is 35" x 48") and A Pheonix GS CNC Wood Router. I haven't been too enthused by the laser system that I have. Often, when I try to send and image to engrave, the program says, "Processing ..." and after a few seconds the program crashes. Then if I change the size on the image, sometimes I can get it to work. Hopefully I can figure out a solution for this. If anyone knows of a newer or updated software to run this machine please let me know. Also, this laser doesn't take grayscale images. Maybe the newer software will also add that. They made a decent engraving machine, but the software to run it is

If you know of anything that could help me please send me an email to:

info (AT) anythingengraving.com

[SkipW]

Originally Posted by yasafd I have a LG1200 Laser Cutter/Engraver (Table Size is 35" x 48") and A Pheonix GS CNC Wood Router. I haven't been too enthused by the laser system that I have. Often, when I try to send and image to engrave, the program says, "Processing ..." and after a few seconds the program crashes. Then if I change the size on the image, sometimes I can get it to work. Hopefully I can figure out a solution for this. If anyone knows of a newer or updated software to run this machine please let me know. Also, this laser doesn't take grayscale images. Maybe the newer software will also add that. They made a decent engraving machine, but the software to run it is If you know of anything that could help me please send me an email to: info (AT) anythingengraving.com You can also check out our engraving website for any of your engraving needs at: http://www.anythingengraving.com

There are definitely a couple of bugs in LaserCut 5.0. On a different thread I mentioned about the program crashing after I unchecked the Auto Datum checkbox under the machine settings. I couldn't send any files to the laser until I dropped the slow start speed to 8. Now it works fine.

I think we are stuck with LaserCut for the time being. The company that makes the software also makes the controller board for our machines. But, LaserCut 5.1 is out and may fix your problem. Pete just told me that the software is free, but to get the new dongle to run it is $150.00.

There are some screen shots of it at http://www.the-lasersedge.com/ under the software section, and I think you can purchase it from Dean there.

Skip

Update: I just heard that the price of LC 5.1 is $300.00 from The Lasers Edge. You might want to check with your rep at your laser manufacturer (WK Laser?) Might get a better price.

[yasafd]

Thanks for the quick reply. I'll try these options

[satyacnc]

Hi Michael,

Your view about Seron LS 40. About the efficiency and support.

Paul