Andrew's "Stock" 2.x Build Log

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Andrew's "Stock" 2.x Build Log

Postby andrewblanejr » Mon Oct 03, 2011 7:05 am

Hey Guys,

I wanted to go ahead and record the start of this journey. On thursday 9/29/2011, after months of dragging my feet, I began purchasing the necessary parts for this build.

9/29/2011:
Email Bart to Order kits :-), only some are available right now because of MakerSlide. I was able to order:
-Plastics
-Mechatronics (now includes X and Y upgrades)
-Electronics (DSP style)
-Linear Bearing Kit
-4 Axis Driver with 3 drivers (This is best for DSP)
-Z axis Upgrade
-air assist nozzle

9/30/2011:
-Placed Misumi Order
-Placed McMasterCarr order, BTW Bart's Hardware Kit (when available) is a killer deal, ordering everything on your own (due to minimums) costs over $300!
-ordered 700mm 40w laser tube including power supply $388 (shipped): http://stores.ebay.com/CNCOLETECH
-ordered ALUMINUM EGG CRATE (uncut): http://surpluscityliquidators.com/view_product/152513/

10/1/2011:
-ordered lenses, mirrors, and their fixtures: http://www.lightobject.com/40W-CO2-lase ... -P551.aspx (also bought 2 current meters analog and digital)
-ordered Keling 24V power supply (KL-201-24) from buildlog.net
-ordered cable and hook up wire from Jameco.com (the same stuff that bart sells by the foot)
-ordered tygon tubing from usplastic.com
-ordered laser glasses: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000HJMS5E

10/2/2011:
-ordered air compressor: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B002JPPFJ0
-ordered water pump: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00002N8GT
-ordered water pump adapters: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B005G6TOW8
-ordered exhaust fan (dust collector): http://www.harborfreight.com/2-hp-indus ... 97869.html (i really over bought on this one, but with my last laser i had 2 in-line duct fans and still had fumes, i wanted to over-due it this time)
-ordered ThunderLaser DSP Controller from ThunderLaser.com

Just found out that THIS ENTIRE WEEK IS A HOLIDAY IN CHINA! so the laser tube and DSP will be delayed by a week, :-(
http://www.china-briefing.com/news/2011 ... -2011.html

MUCH more to come :-)
andrewblanejr
 
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Parts Arriving...Skins?

Postby andrewblanejr » Fri Oct 07, 2011 8:32 pm

So my desk is filling up with boxes from all this stuff. Parts from amazon, mcmaster-carr, us plastics, and harbor frieght are in. Bart's kits are in the mail along with the DSP, laser tube/ps , and keling ps. Gonna hopefully clear some space in my office/basement this weekend so that i can get started building when everything arrives...probably wednesday 10/12. Getting excited!

oh...i do not have skins yet...i was thinking i could live without them for a little while (under bart is fabricating again)...but i have read that they contribute to the structural rigidity. Anybody have feedback, opinions, or advice on this?
andrewblanejr
 
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Re: Andrew's "Stock" 2.x Build Log

Postby StigOE » Fri Oct 07, 2011 10:06 pm

The skins don't just help with structural rigidity, but they also make fume extraction work and keeps any laser light inside the enclosure, making it a lot safer to operate.
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Re: Andrew's "Stock" 2.x Build Log

Postby awesomenesser » Fri Oct 07, 2011 10:28 pm

I build the stock 2.x without the skins and didn't have any issues. Installing the bottom skin was quite difficult but it was possible. I just had two friends lift the laser while I installed it. I would be careful because twisting the frame could break the laser tube. One thing that I found that helped, is to wrap a loop of that self fusing rubber tape around the laser tube where the bolts grip the tube. This keeps the tube from sliding around (and rotating) and provides a little cushioning.

Yes, the skins do help with the fumes but as long as you have the air assist to protect the lens and you avoid plastics you should be fine. During testing I used paper on a 1/16 inch glass panel from Lowes (I didn't have my table material picked out yet). Glass works well (and it is cheap) for paper as long as you dont leave the laser on for long periods in the same spot.
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Re: Andrew's "Stock" 2.x Build Log

Postby andrewblanejr » Fri Oct 07, 2011 11:34 pm

i'll have to give the skins more thought, maybe a local machine shop would cut them for me...the alupanel isnt too hard to find
andrewblanejr
 
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Re: Andrew's "Stock" 2.x Build Log

Postby naPS » Sat Oct 08, 2011 7:17 pm

I had a quote from a couple of shops here in San Diego, and it was fairly ridiculous. I bought the material, and they were going to charge between $250 - 500 to cut the skins.

Totally drove me to start building my own cnc router.
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Re: Andrew's "Stock" 2.x Build Log

Postby andrewblanejr » Sat Oct 08, 2011 7:44 pm

LOL...ya that sounds about right for a shop in SD. I'm hoping that now that i am in Pullman, WA (most of the time at least) i can find more reasonable rates. There's a shop down the street called "Bill's Welding & Machining"...it has that look of a place that is: One Man and his Tools...i'll probably go talk to him Monday/Tuesday. fingers crossed.

naPS: where exactly are you going to put your home-made cnc router? Did you move?
andrewblanejr
 
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Latex Gloves

Postby andrewblanejr » Sun Oct 09, 2011 2:38 am

just bought some latex gloves, i read that some of the materials used in the mirrors or lenses (or both) is potentially toxic...this should also save me from having to remove finger prints
andrewblanejr
 
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Re: Andrew's "Stock" 2.x Build Log

Postby TLHarrell » Sun Oct 09, 2011 6:13 am

Yes, do not handle the ZeSn (orange) lenses.

And it may do you good to look around for a "hacker space" or some other type of thing like Tech Shop where you can take a class and cut your stuff.
40w Full Spectrum Engineering 5th Gen Hobby 20"x12" w/ Rotary Engraver
South San Francisco Bay Area - Sales and Support Representative for Full Spectrum Engineering
408-47-LASER - Skype: whitelightlaser-thomas - Facebook: White Light Laser
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Re: Andrew's "Stock" 2.x Build Log

Postby naPS » Mon Oct 10, 2011 12:56 am

Yup - moved a few miles down the road into a house with a huge garage and a workshop. I never see my wife or kids anymore, it's awesome.
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