CO2 laser - for my wife ;)

[crocens]

Hello!

I'm quite new to the forum and I realize that my questions will probably seem trivial, but I'm counting on some feedback

A little about me: Marcin, I'm a technician of refrigeration, at one time I was a contributor to the forum of a well-known industry portal in Poland (so I know that my questions for professionals layman will probably be for you biased ). I like tinkering with electronics, I like programming something, building, inventing, learning, improving. Hence the idea to make such a machine. It's a combination of pleasant (for me, I would just like to build something, I like to tinker) and useful (for my wife, she runs a small business and has a birthday in June which is to be her gift :P).

Immediately add that I have never designed machines in the computer, although autocad is not alien to me. Because of this I do not have it on the drawings yet, however my goal and request is not to evaluate the project but the idea according to which I want to make the machine. If the idea has a chance to implement the project will probably be created

In general, the matter is that I would like to build my wife a CO2 laser with a working field of about 1000x1000, mm. Currently we have a Chinese 400x400 and engraves as such, but in truth it's terrible ^#&^

Purpose:
- mainly cutting in plywood 3-10mm and its engraving
- additionally cutting and engraving plexi

Base construction:
Steel structure from 40x40x2 profiles, welded - probably the upper part will be given to milling to be level for linear systems. It can be leveled with screwed feet. I don't have the possibility to anneal it relaxing the whole structure, unfortunately

X axis:
Supported by fi 12 supported rollers and semi-open bearings located on top of the base. Driven by a toothed belt. Two stepper motors (SM 42STH60-1684A - 0.91Nm, 1.68A) - coupled operation. Plus two drivers (DM542) and a SPS2410 (V3.0)-24VDC/10A non-stabilized power supply

Y axis:
The gate, made in the first version from hard HDF (I saw such a thing in a milling machine and it worked fine. I think it will work with laser too?) travel system on similar principle as for X axis: supported shafts only fi 10 rotated by 90*, belt, same stepper motor, same driver, power from same power supply as X axis motors.

Work table:
Here I have a problem, I was looking for honeycombs for lasers but their prices are staggering and in this size it's a total cosmos, I couldn't find anything that would satisfy me. I was thinking of making a lightweight frame to which will be attached deck grating as a honeycomb. Construction based on 4 trapezoidal screws in the corners with pulleys for the belt to adjust the height (the belt goes through all 4 pulleys, tensioner and pinion with a handle to turn, you surely understand what I mean


Laser:
80W tube permanently located, not on the gate to minimize vibration.
Cooling I will make myself, finally a refrigeration man
Air: ACO-003

At the beginning, everything would be controlled by Arduino UNO, because I own such thing and at the moment, this is the only thing I can program.
Soft: Lightburn

Extras:
- limit switches
- laser beam path protector
- Eye protection
- covers of all elements where the laser light can appear in case of failure
- bottom suction (initially about 300m3/h)


The question for today is whether such an idea makes sense at all? Because if it does, I will start designing and I will probably bother you a little
If it doesn't make sense then why?
I just don't want to do something that is doomed to failure
I'm also not counting on someone to build a machine for me, I'm rather counting on hints on assumptions, selected technologies, systems and hints on what to pay special attention etc.

Thank you very much for all answers!

Marcin.

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[Dean448]

I think you are on the right track. Just some of my thoughts. Impressive that someone is willing to weld the frame. 40x40x2 steel is overkill in my opinion. Could get away with half that as long as you have a solid base.
I would try to size the tube a little higher unless your 10mm ply has only a few plys.
I can’t imagine getting an Uno to work very well. Maybe use a better grbl processors or find a way to get a DSP controller. I never heard of anyone trying to program a laser controller. Interesting about the honeycomb, there are many other ways to go about holding the work flat.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[crocens]

Thank you for your reply, good to hear that this idea makes sense

I think you are on the right track. Just some of my thoughts. Impressive that someone is willing to weld the frame. 40x40x2 steel is overkill in my opinion. Could get away with half that as long as you have a solid base.

Good point, after a quick thought I'll probably use 30x30mm aluminum profiles (mostly). Much, much easier to make

I would try to size the tube a little higher unless your 10mm ply has only a few plys.

Good point, I will go for 100W-120W.

I can’t imagine getting an Uno to work very well. Maybe use a better grbl processors or find a way to get a DSP controller. I never heard of anyone trying to program a laser controller.

I realize this is the cheapest and probably a very bad solution.... I will stay with grbl but look for something dedicated for this task

Interesting about the honeycomb, there are many other ways to go about holding the work flat.

This idea was entirely in my head, there are probably better solutions, but at the moment nothing comes to mind


Thank you for your reply!
Marcin

[awerby]

Make sure to put it in a light-safe enclosure, with a shut-off so that it turns off when you open the box.