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Laser Cutting

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Equipment

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Laser Cutting

This section is maintained by Alexander Cua.

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Schedule on FabMan before use

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Book your usage on Fabman.arrow-up-right Other members need to know.

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Lightburn Software

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This machine has been upgraded and no longer uses the outdated Retina Engrave software.

We have a Macbook running 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.

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Starting the Laser

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Using the Laser

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

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

Check lenses and mirrors and make sure they are clean.
  • Lightburnarrow-up-right
    file-download
    137KB
    lb_121821.lbprefs
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    Lightburn Preferences
    approved material list

    3D Models

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

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    Ruida Controller Mount

    file-download
    354KB
    Ruida Controller Mount.stl
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    Ammeter and Relay Box

    file-download
    993KB
    Ammeter and Relay Box - Cover.stl
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    file-download
    174KB
    Ammeter and Relay Box - Base.stl
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    Wall Hugger Exhaust Vent

    file-download
    89KB
    Wall Hugger Vent - Intake End.stl
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    file-download
    2MB
    Wall Hugger Vent - Discharge End.stl
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    Power Supply Connections

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    Terminal Blocks

    Left Terminal Block (PS1)
    Connect to

    L-

    Laser Tube

    Middle Terminal Block (PS2)
    Connect to
    Right Terminal Block (PS3)
    Connect to

    Ruida 6445 Connections

    AXIS-X, AXIS-Y
    DM322 (DM2)

    Full Spectrum 20x12

    Donated by Bob Kovacs - Mad Designs.

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    Status

    Operational. Camera overlay still needs work.

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    5V

    FG

    Chassis Ground

    AC

    120v (White)

    AC

    120v (Black)

    G

    P

    L

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

    G

    Ruida: [CN5]-1 (Ground)

    IN

    Ruida: [CN5]-3 (LPWM1)

    24V

    Ruida: [CN0]-1

    G

    Ruida: [CN0]-2

    5V

    Laser Pointer

    L

    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

    1 - DIR/CCW

    DIR

    2 - PUL/CW

    PUL

    3 - +5v

    ENA & OPTO

    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

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    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

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    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.

    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.

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    Components

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    Required
    • 1 - Ruida 6445arrow-up-right controller

    • 2 - DM322Earrow-up-right stepper driver (3 if you have a rotary axis)

    • 2 - limit switchesarrow-up-right

    • 1 -

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    Optional

    • 1 - 0 to 30A ammeterarrow-up-right

    • 2 - 24V LED indicator lightsarrow-up-right

    • 2 - solid state relayarrow-up-right

    • 2 -

    Our retrofitted FSL with Ruida. Shown with our Ruida Mount, Ammeter / Relay Case and Wall Hugger Vent.

    DM322E Connections

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    Terminal Blocks

    Left Terminal Block (DM1)
    Connect to

    B+

    Stepper Motor B+

    A-

    Stepper Motor A-

    A+

    Stepper Motor A+

    +Vdc

    Ruida [PW3] - 24v

    GND

    Ruida [PW3] - G

    Right Terminal Block (DM2)
    Ruida 6445 Terminal Block

    ENA

    [AXIS Block]-3 +5v

    OPTO

    [AXIS Block]-3 +5v

    DIR

    [AXIS]-1 DIR/CCW

    PUL

    [AXIS]-2 PUL/CW

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    DIP Switch Setting

    Switch
    On / Off

    SW1

    SW2

    SW3

    SW4

    SW5

    B-

    Stepper Motor B-

    DM322E Stepper Driver
    water flow sensorarrow-up-right
    lever nutsarrow-up-right
    panel mount outletarrow-up-right

    SW6

    Line Mode

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

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    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

    Fill Mode

    Fill mode used to be called scan.

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    Recommended Settings

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

    Maintenance

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    Parts

    • Cloudray 40w Laser Tubearrow-up-right

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    Focus Lens

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

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    Maintenance Log

    • 12/19/21 - Replaced Laser Tube

    FL:50.8mm ZnSe focus lens D:20mm ()
  • FL:63.5mm ZnSe focus lens D:20mm ()

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

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    Mirrors

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

    Cloudray 40w Power Supplyarrow-up-right
    Amazonarrow-up-right
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    AliExpressarrow-up-right
    Amazonarrow-up-right
    AliExpressarrow-up-right

    Materials List

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    Approved Materials

    Material
    Thickness
    Notes

    Acrylic / Plexiglas

    1/4"

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    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

    High Density Polyethylene (HDPE)

    Catches fire & melts

    Milk bottles

    Polycarbonate (PC)

    Polypropylene Foam

    Polystyrene

    Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC)

    Emits chlorine gas when cut

    Delrin

    Kapton Tape

    Mylar

    Paper / Cardstock

    ABS

    Melts / cyanide

    Epoxy

    Fiberglass

    Food