Need Help!- Control of the laserbeam

[r.rooster]

Hello,

First let me start by saying how NEW I'm to laser cutting technology. I have managed to build my first laser and CNC machine. Go figure!

The CNC laser is working fine. Currently I'm using a reed switch to turn the laser on and off as it travels along the Z axis (up and down). This process works well, but a little ineffecient, because of the laser has to travel up and down along the Z axis to trigger the reed switch to turn the beam on/off.

What I was wondering, is there a method, something that I can do, which allows the Z axis to be in a fixed position above the matrial and turn the laser on and off at each cutting point without moving the laser up and down along the Z axis?

I'm using Mach3 Pro and LazyCam Pro.

One more thing. Does anyone know what temperatures are normal for 100w, 200w, 300w, 400w lasers? Water and gas temperatures?

I designed this laser to output these 4 settings and want to intergrat a thermostat system to shut the laser down in the event of over heating. I'm currently cooling the gases by rapid exchange of the gases and water through cooling systems that I setup. So far so good.

Maximum out put of this laser is 5kW DC pulsed (83,000v @ 60mA=5kW. Approx.), which makes this laser a usable 500w cutter. Scary, isn't it? Well it is to me!

Thanks in advance for any help that I can get.

Robert

[bdring]

Look into Mach's 2.5D mode. It triggers an output on any G-Code Z move, but does not actually move an axis. Some people have used the Z direction too. Set the down bit to turn on the laser then the return up will turn it off.


I am working on my own setup and doing some in depth studies on power control methods. I am just getting started, but you check out my progress.


http://buildlog.net/cnc_laser/mach_laser_power.html

[r.rooster]

bdring,

Your directions were perfect. Not only did I get what I needed but found a lot of useful informtaion.

Thanks.

[cicigweike]

20-30 degree is a good temperature for laser machine, 25 degree is the best.

Cici
e-mail:song@wklaser.com

[cicigweike]

and more than 80w machine need industry chiller to keep temperature

Cici