Need Help!- Newbie Help please!!

[UKGuy]

Hey guys, as you can possibly tell from my profile im new to this site, allthough i have been browsing a little bit. Anywhoo....

My question to all you good guys is i have a 30" vinyl cutter thats been sitting in the cubbard for a long time now and still works perfectly to this day cutting graphics etc.

I have decided to go ahead and strip the cutter once i get some more information. So... am i able to make a CNC laser cutter from this machine..? i have the motors that will give me the forward/backwards motion and also the left and right motions (Sorry im not with the lingo yet guys ) all i seem to be stuck on is how im going to attach a ruddy laser to the dan thing.

The vinyl cutter has some sort of magnet that seems to get charged and then apply pressure to the blade for cutting, im guessing i need to do away with this.

if you guys could tell me what im going to need to help me along the way that would be great.

Im looking to cut from 3mm depron foam to 3 or 6mm plexiglass so any ideas on lasers would be great. i need to keep this as cheap as possible please

Many thanks in advance!

[UKGuy]

Can anyone help....? im keen to make a start on this.

If anyone is interested i can do a build/conversion thread for the guys who want to convert.


Come on guys please help a guy out

[Litografa]

As I understood right you have roll-feed cutter (not flatbed). In this case convert it into CNC laser will be problematic. Much cheaper buy chinese laser from your local dealer or direct like was described here earlier

[zax15uk]

Hi UKGuy,

Do you have a laser yet? If not, then I agree with Litografa. It will be cheaper and obviously easier to purchase either a used brand name laser or a Chinese made machine.

If you do prefer to make you own, some of the vinyl plotter components could be used. The Z-head which is usually a solenoid will not be of any use, and will need to be replaced by the final mirror and optics housing. The lens will need to move up/down for focus, manual adjustment is fine.

Here are the main components you'll require:
CO2 laser tube and power supply
3 x Front surface mirrors (gold on silicon or similar)
ZnSe focus lens

Zax.

[UKGuy]

Hi Guys thanks for the replys!!

i understand that the solenoid will be of no use but how do you think i should go about mounting them? if anyone has any good links to these chineese lasers that would be great as im a newbie
How do you go about turning the laser off when it comes to moving to another pont of cut

[zax15uk]

Interfacing the laser PSU to your plotter will probably require some custom electronics. The plotter Z-head may have a 5v signal that you could use, but more likely you'll find a higher voltage (~36v) that needs to be dropped down.

I would suggest searching the forum and reading some of the Chinese laser and self build threads, there's a lot of great information here.

Zax.

[UKGuy]

im not sure what to do now, i would like to create the laser but it will be very expensive. so im thinking of keeping the router idea. this will be created on a flat bed with a roller on the bottom and the router bit coming up from the bottom, and the material being held down by 2 pressure rollers... what you guys think?

[zax15uk]

It sounds like you want to build something similar to a CompuCarve / Carvewright, where the material is moved through the machine via friction feed. The concept is sound, but using a plotter isn't a good platform. It will have very limited torque due to the small motors.

Have you considered using a diode laser on the plotter. It would be a much easier conversion and significantly cheaper. Of course it won't have the power of a CO2 laser or router, but would be suitable for engraving or thin/light cutting.

Zax.

[UKGuy]

Zax im ahappy to upgrade the motors if i have to as long as i dont have to change the electronics.

Ive been looking at this items...
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...e=STRK:MESE:IT

As long as i can cut 3mm/6mm deprom foam (see link below) i would be happy
http://www.depronfoam.co.uk/html/what_is_depron.html

its the white one i need it to cut.

[UKGuy]

im looking to cut the shapes out not engrave, buddy

[zax15uk]

Yes the diode in your link would be suitable for retrofit to a plotter. If depron foam cuts anything like EPS or XPS it will need very little power. If that laser can cut 3mm MDF it will have no problem with the foam, ask the seller to confirm.

I just clicked on the video, not very impressive... it's moving very slow cutting thin anti static open cell foam that I doubt it would be much use.

It's also expensive for a 1W 808nm diode, although the integrated focus lens is nice.

Here's a 1W diode with TEC and PSU for much less:
http://cgi.ebay.com/1W-808nm-Infrare...item1e582d83c2

I had a 200mW 650nm diode from a DVD burner and it would cut 2mm EVA foam (fun foam) much faster than that video. It was being over driven at about 230mW with TEC cooling and cost all of $60 (45 quid).

Zax.

[UKGuy]

Originally Posted by zax15uk Yes the diode in your link would be suitable for retrofit to a plotter. If depron foam cuts anything like EPS or XPS it will need very little power. If that laser can cut 3mm MDF it will have no problem with the foam, ask the seller to confirm. I just clicked on the video, not very impressive... it's moving very slow cutting thin anti static open cell foam that I doubt it would be much use. It's also expensive for a 1W 808nm diode, although the integrated focus lens is nice. Here's a 1W diode with TEC and PSU for much less: http://cgi.ebay.com/1W-808nm-Infrare...item1e582d83c2 I had a 200mW 650nm diode from a DVD burner and it would cut 2mm EVA foam (fun foam) much faster than that video. It was being over driven at about 230mW with TEC cooling and cost all of $60 (45 quid). Zax.

Cheers Zax, In your link is that everything i need to run the lazer on the cutter?

Managed to strip the cutter down today left wil a mean beam and 2 sided with a real nice smooth movment