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Laser Cutting

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Equipment

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Laser Cutting

This section is maintained by Alexander Cua.

Schedule on FabMan before use

Book your usage on Fabman. Other members need to know.

Lightburn Software

This machine has been upgraded and no longer uses the outdated Retina Engrave software.

We have a Macbook running Lightburn beside the machine but if you prefer to have your own copy, Makerspace members can get up to 70% off.

Go to File - Import Prefs to load the latest Lightburn preferences. Always check this page to update your your software with the latest settings.

137KB
lb_121821.lbprefs
Open
Lightburn Preferences

Starting the Laser

Using the Laser

  • Make sure the item you want to cut and engrave is in the approved material list.

  • Lay material flat on the grate and use the focusing billet to set the correct distance between your work piece and the laser cone.

Fill Mode

Fill mode used to be called scan.

Recommended Settings

Maximum Power should never exceed 85% for longer lamp life. Just add passes to compensate.

Full Spectrum 20x12

Donated by Bob Kovacs - Mad Designs.

Status

Operational. Camera overlay still needs work.

Configuration

This machine has been upgraded and no longer uses the outdated Retina Engrave software. Use the following settings for Lightburn or download our latest custom preferences.

  • 45w Laser Tube

  • Width x Height: 505mm x 305mm

  • Origin: Upper Right

  • IP Address: 192.168.1.20

Scanning Offset

The following settings are not fully tested and may change over time. Please check back often.

Speed
Line Shift
Initial Offset

100

0.70

0

400

2.60

0

Focus Lens Options

1.5” lens is appropriate for extra fine engravings such as fonts below 6pts.

2.0” lens* has a good combination of fine engraving and thin cutting for fonts between 6pts and 8pts.

2.5” lens is appropriate for cutting up to ¼” of material and engraving detail to around 8pts.

5.0” lens is for cutting thick foam. it is also a good lens for engraving into deep bowls, when more room is needed.

*This is the included lens for Hobby Series Lasers.

Line Mode

Line mode can be used to cut through material or burn an outline around an engraving.

Recommended Settings

Maximum Power should never exceed 85% for longer lamp life. Just add passes to compensate.

Material
Max/Min
Passes

1/8" Plywood

75/28

9±2

3D Models

The following models are free for you to download and use in your printers.

Ruida Controller Mount

354KB
Ruida Controller Mount.stl
Open

Ammeter and Relay Box

993KB
Ammeter and Relay Box - Cover.stl
Open
174KB
Ammeter and Relay Box - Base.stl
Open

Wall Hugger Exhaust Vent

89KB
Wall Hugger Vent - Intake End.stl
Open
2MB
Wall Hugger Vent - Discharge End.stl
Open

FSL Hobby Ruida Retrofit

Our Hobby laser was in working when we got it but Retina Engrave leaves much to be desired. Lightburn would open up lots of new functionality and retrofitting a Ruida controller is a necessary step.

Components

Required

  • 1 - controller

  • 2 - stepper driver (3 if you have a rotary axis)

  • 2 -

  • 1 -

Optional

  • 1 -

  • 2 -

  • 2 -

  • 2 -

Maintenance

Parts

  • Cloudray 40w Laser Tube

  • Cloudray 40w Power Supply

Focus Lens

  • FL:38.1mm ZnSe focus lens D:20mm (Amazon)

  • FL:50.8mm ZnSe focus lens D:20mm (Amazon)

  • FL:63.5mm ZnSe focus lens D:20mm (Amazon)

Focus lenses are also available from AliExpress under a single listing.

Mirrors

  • T:3mm D:20mm laser mirrors, set of 3 (Amazon, AliExpress)

Maintenance Log

  • 12/19/21 - Replaced Laser Tube

Ruida 6445
DM322E
limit switches
water flow sensor
lever nuts
0 to 30A ammeter
24V LED indicator lights
solid state relay
panel mount outlet
Our retrofitted FSL with Ruida. Shown with our Ruida Mount, Ammeter / Relay Case and Wall Hugger Vent.

Power Supply Connections

Terminal Blocks

Left Terminal Block (PS1)
Connect to

L-

Laser Tube

FG

Chassis Ground

AC

120v (White)

AC

120v (Black)

Middle Terminal Block (PS2)
Connect to

G

P

L

Ruida: [CN5]-2 (L-On1)

G

Ruida: [CN5]-1 (Ground)

IN

Ruida: [CN5]-3 (LPWM1)

5V

Right Terminal Block (PS3)
Connect to

24V

Ruida: [CN0]-1

G

Ruida: [CN0]-2

5V

Laser Pointer

L

DM322E Connections

Terminal Blocks

Left Terminal Block (DM1)
Connect to
Right Terminal Block (DM2)
Ruida 6445 Terminal Block

DIP Switch Setting

Switch
On / Off

Materials List

Approved Materials

Material
Thickness
Notes

Acrylic / Plexiglas

1/4"

Delrin

Kapton Tape

Mylar

Paper / Cardstock

Never Use

Any material that has a glue backing is not allowed. The glue will vaporize and may damage the lens.

Material
Safety Hazard
Notes

ABS

Melts / cyanide

Epoxy

Fiberglass

Food

High Density Polyethylene (HDPE)

Catches fire & melts

Milk bottles

Polycarbonate (PC)

Polypropylene Foam

Polystyrene

Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC)

Emits chlorine gas when cut

B-

Stepper Motor B-

B+

Stepper Motor B+

A-

Stepper Motor A-

A+

Stepper Motor A+

+Vdc

Ruida [PW3] - 24v

GND

Ruida [PW3] - G

ENA

[AXIS Block]-3 +5v

OPTO

[AXIS Block]-3 +5v

DIR

[AXIS]-1 DIR/CCW

PUL

[AXIS]-2 PUL/CW

SW1

SW2

SW3

SW4

SW5

SW6

DM322E Stepper Driver

Ruida 6445 Connections

AXIS-X, AXIS-Y
DM322 (DM2)

1 - DIR/CCW

DIR

2 - PUL/CW

PUL

3 - +5v

ENA & OPTO

CN0
Power Supply (PS3)

1 - GND

G

2 - +24v

24v

CN1
Connect to

4 - Status

Relay for Exhaust Fan

5 - Wind

Relay for Air Pump

CN2
Connect to

3 - DrProc

Magnetic Door Switch

CN4
Connect to

2 - LmtY-

Limit Y Switch

4 - LmtX-

Limit X Switch

CN5
Power Supply (PS2)

1 - GND

G

2 - L-On1

L

3 - LPWM1

IN