educa wrote:I would surely go for honeycomb
Oops. I was just coming here to make the following post when I saw your reply. I didn't make the opposite choice just to defy you.
The Laser Bed MaterialI finally decided on the laser bed material and placed the order for that yesterday. I calculated the 2'X4' perforated stainless was going to be about 42 pounds, but the UPS shipping notification said the package was 32 pounds. In my hasty calculations, I forgot it was perforated with 40% open area. Duh. Still, it's very heavy duty. I don't plan on ever replacing it.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/370663425685Almost all of my production lasing is on flat carrier sheets of aluminum or on my own fixtures, so that's why I didn't get honeycomb or a grid. If I need honeycomb for a job, I'll get a 1'X2' piece to put on the 2'X4' laser bed. Or maybe I'll get a 2' X 2' piece of honeycomb and use that to cut the big sheets of material that I'm currently cutting on paper lined aluminum sheets.
As I was writing this, I did a different search, and found a YouTube video comparing a flat top to honeycomb. Apparently some materials char more on the bottom when air gets to them, although there will probably be plenty of air with the perforated stainless that I chose, but that's a good reason for me to continue using flat carrier sheets to cut my parts.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pfp9NAaI8rUHowever, other sources indicate that the improved air flow from using egg crate or honeycomb result in less smoke lingering around the part and less soot deposited on the part.
I was tempted to get egg crate, but the best eBay option for me is a nominal 24" X 48" that probably includes the frame, and my 24" X 24" parts would probably BARELY not fit, which I hate. The "slightly too small" problem is what started me on the path that led to a much larger laser in the first place.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/190737296285Here's a pretty good article describing the frustration and compromises for hobby scale laser builders when picking a laser bed material.
http://diylaser.midwestlaserarts.com/2011/09/searching-for-perfect-laser-cutting.htmlMy biggest problem was the few online sources for suitable laser beds, and with the exception of
http://www.cuttinggrid.com, the complete lack of online pricing. That always makes me feel that I'm about to be ripped off. Even the low cost laser part supplier CNColeTech.com isn't listing prices.
http://cncoletech.com/honeycomb%20table.htmlAs soon as my perforated stainless arrives, I'll verify the exact dimensions (it had better be AT LEAST 24" X 48") and buy the extruded aluminum for the framework that surrounds the perforated stainless bed and supports it from underneath, and the mounting brackets for the Acme threaded rod nuts.
Then, I can get the Z axis working, and design the rest of the frame from the inside out, get the last parts on order and start building this sucka.
UPS is here with the drain plug I need for my NEW ultra quiet air compressor (Syclone air compressor, I bought it on Amazon) and the cathode plate material for the anodizing line I decided to build in my basement. I hope to finish some of these projects before I die.