Tools/laser: Difference between revisions

== Old wiki content ==

The machine is now limited by the controller to 75% power which is just over 25mA. This means the current dial can be left set all the way to the top for consistent output. Any power level set in RDWorks > 75% will just get reduced to 75% rather than scaled by the controller.

LARGE LASER CUTTER NOTES:

Checklist - Startup:

1) Water Chiller ON ***

2) Power ON (green round button) on front panel

3) 4 Switches on side (only switch laser on whilst editing in RDWORKS 7)

   

water should alarm if low, if alarm sounds, check the water level gauge on rear of chiller unit. Top up with de-ionised water only

ignore button image on switches - press upper part of button for 'on' position'*

Laser Default Position:

Press home, then press top arrow and enter (laser head will move to default far top right)

Lift lid, place sheet on laser bed

Reset arrows to position probe over top right of sheet, head over gap in slat.There is a slim black finger behind the laser head which actually sets the height. Make sure that is over your material as well.

Thickness 10 /15mm?

Software:

Turn on Rdworks 7 (free) - (Please note if downloading software at home, untick ‘enable feeding’)

Notes:

Import file, 'dxf' or 'ai' (from Illustrator and other graphic apps)

For Example:

Autocad save as R12 dxf

Inkscape (0.48) outputs DXF R14

or draw in Rdworks 7

Please note if possible it is useful to layer these effectively in the cad package to save time in Rdworks at rlab.

Colours are layers, select cut, dot or scan (used for engraving) or none (no cut mode)

Double click for options menu, edit…

‘Handle>cut optimise’

Reorders cuts, eg. 'Element 1', Element 2' etc.

Set out properties

If you want to do multiple cuts of same object, you can 'array' these and also add gaps in between the objects to avoid any overlaps

Path optimised* unticked - do not use

‘Go scale’ - check area of 'cut'

Ready to cut

Turn the other switches on, eg. fan, light, etc.

Warning: Do not look through the gap between the laser lid and the bed **

Press 'start' - make sure it is running okay, get ready to press ES if need be.

Once job is complete

Leave it shut until fumes gone.

Lift lid, remove work.

Turn off the switches

Clean the laser bed with the vacuum adjacent to the laser

documentation

The output to turn on the laser power supply is a 0-3.6 V and the shortest pulse is 270 us