How To Questions for 2.x Laser build.

[AnthongRedbeard]

Hi, I have completely plunged into making a Laser cutter. I have been following this project for years, since I got into 3d printing about 2 years ago. I still have a lot of questions now that I'm doing it, any help is appreciated.

#1 The hardware kits. I tried emailing Bart for a hardware kit and some other kits. I don't know if I need a special code or what but I have no reply and I was hoping to not spend $200+ with mcmaster and have hundreds of extra spacers. Does anyone have a suggestion on getting the hardware kit?

#2 I used this script http://www.thingiverse.com/thing:12864 to get the dimensions for a 2' by 4' cutting area. I'm a little scared about being too ambitious on that. I already assembled the large frame and it looks great, but I'm wondering if anyone has done this before and has suggestions for modifications needed besides the dimensions on parts. Any extra tensioners etc. I looked at some higher end large gantries and they don't seem very different in design so I'm confident it can be done, just not sure what ti will take.

#3 I have a 3d printer that prints pretty well, I need any recommendations on objects NOT to print... for example, I see that eccentric nuts have a design out there, but I doubt it's a good idea, same with v-bearings. I'm interested in 3d printing to DIY and save money where it doesn't conflict with performance.

#4 Is the wiki the best source of instructions? I put the frame together based off of 1 picture. Now that I need to do the gantry and attach it all I found was some very basic text telling me to tap and drill some of the extrusions, im not even sure what height to drill at. Also, is there a good reason to tap the makerslide instead of using the cast aluminum angle brackets to attach them?

thanks. I look forward to adding this to my arsenal.

[cvoinescu]

#3 I have a 3d printer that prints pretty well, I need any recommendations on objects NOT to print... for example, I see that eccentric nuts have a design out there, but I doubt it's a good idea, same with v-bearings. I'm interested in 3d printing to DIY and save money where it doesn't conflict with performance.

I don't know about the other parts, but the V-wheels and the eccentric spacers you can't print. The V-wheels need better precision than can be achieved with 3D printing, so machining them is pretty much the only option. The eccentric spacers need to be much stronger than printed PLA or ABS parts can be (the round part would shear off).

[greenvandan]

I don't think Bart is offering the hardware kits anymore, only the custom parts once in a while.

There are users who have printed most all of the cnc pieces, check this post http://www.buildlog.net/forum/viewtopic.php?f=28&t=1498 There is also another user who posted parts on Thingiverse. A lot of the parts you shouldn't print are available from https://www.inventables.com/categories/innovative-materials/components/mechanical/makerslide

The McMaster order can add up getting whole boxes of hardware. You may be able to do a group buy with some other users to split the cost of things like spacers, etc. Ebay may be another option, also http://www.mrmetric.com/ offers metric hardware with no minimums.

As far as the larger size, there are several people building larger lasers, check the forums for their successes and problems, beam focusing and consistency seem to be an issue.

There is a google doc with instructions https://docs.google.com/document/d/1iVQeWYY46U0fAKGl2SnBshu2rk53asWWtqljsoPPLGc/edit?hl=en but you also need to look at all of the assembly drawings http://www.buildlog.net/sm_laser/drawings.html, you may want to do a thorough review of all of those before you get much further, I didn't have to drill any extrusions, you may be looking at plans for the 1st version? Look for the 2.x labeled stuff. Questions you have that aren't answered in the drawings or the instructions are likely dealt with in the forums.

Dan

[AnthongRedbeard]

thanks. about the beam consistency over a distance, would that be less of an issue withe a design where the tube rides on the x axis like the recently failed kickstarter project?

[TLHarrell]

Yes, anything that shortens and simplifies the beam path will be a benefit. On a gantry mounted tube, you will obviously have more mass though, so little NEMA 17 motors and belt drive may need to be beefed up considerably. There is always a tradeoff.