Hi
Thought I'd start a quick buildlog as my metalwork should arrive today.
System has a Coletech 60W laser along with their better quality optics etc. Laser and ancillaries arrived a few weeks ago - end jacket broken on the laser unfortunately, but another arrived within 5 days. I have to mention the excellent service I have received from Coletech - at all times the communication has been rapid and accurate ('Shirley' must be a great worker to have in the office
). I ordered my parts from China on the Wednesday afternoon - they were on my doorstep on the Friday afternoon - from China - and using DHL !!! That is outstanding service - I can hardly get that service from suppliers here in the UK.
My machine is similar to the 2x and the Lasersaur (among others) - 1220x610x200mm (48x24x7.8 inches) cutting area. It is floor standing with all the ancillary stuff underneath - air assist pump/cooler/electronics and extract. There's a 'pod' on the front which will contain an LCD and some control buttons eventually.
Rails are vee rails (RS) with Barts original acetal vee wheels - I'd have liked to use the new makerslide rails, but the shipping would be horrendous. It's conceivable that I might convert at a later stage as the bosch stuff is compatible.
Skins are set
into the frame using magnets rather than outside with screws (the magnets are let into the dibond skins [similar to aluply]). The side skins are quickly removeable to allow access for long material. There's also a lower 'crumb tray' to catch all those parts that you forgot to add tags for
I'm using Bosch/Rexroth extrusions rather than misumi - I can get it all cut from KJN without having to buy stock 3 metre lengths and work out my own wasteage - all online ordering too.
One annoyance is having to use 6mm chain and sprockets for the Z axis lift - I just couldn't source a closed belt that was big enough. I'm sure it'll be fine (if a tad noisy
)
I'm currently at a crossroads regarding the controller - I really want to be able to use it with the Mac (and definitely NOT using a PC emulation
) Current options are the LAOS board - I have one of the beta boards which I'm building - it's essentially a CUPS printer which converts to a form of gcode - acts like a normal printer interface - mBed controller onboard. Other option is the Lasersaur unit which is arduino based with a web based interface and importer - I lashed one up - it worked first time and has a VERY clean interface - currently uses svg format files as input - converts to gcode and thence to grbl on the arduino. How this will shape up to 'engraving' will remain to be seen (the arduino isn't that powerful), but the vector work is very clean and fast.
I don't want to go down the DSP OEM board route at present as they are all PC only (and will probably remain that way for some reason). I have a DeskCNC board (PC based
) which works REALLY well on my old CNC router and I have been reliably informed that there are Mac and Linux versions to appear. It has PWM laser output and can also handle 'engraving'.
I'll attach some rough renderings (definitely not up to the 'Bart Dring School of Industrial Design' standard LOL but they'll suffice for my needs
)
They're also partially incomplete as I don't get too anal about small things like shaft coupers etc.
Cheers
Neil
PS Blackhole was chosen for a couple of obvious reasons, it creates blackholes and that's where all my funds have gone