Hi All
I am very impressed with this site .
I work at a laser cutting company during 8-5 and then on my own laser after hours.
The plan is also to get a large format laser going. My current one is 1200 x 900 mm 80 w . The problem with this size is that you need to split a full 2,4 x 1,4 board in a few cuts .
So the idea is to get a bed big enough to take a full sheet .
The biggest problem is a lack of " off the shelf parts " . I wonder if the members in USA have any idea how " lucky " they are with all the suppliers and manufacturers of this type of components. From optics all the way to nuts and bolts.
Plans are in my head and changing all the time .
I tried to run my current laser with MACH3 but not very impressed. I do not say it does not work - it just does not work as good as the LEETRO driver with LASERCUT 5.3 .
The main problem is to get the dxf file converted to G-Code - Mach 3 has an import function - ( maybe the latest version works better ) but with very limited options and functions. I found a web page -
http://www.christian-kohloeffel.homepag ... gocde.html that I tried with a big dxf file and it worked 100 % - so that might work.
I might be able to help with a few lasercut parts if needed - staal or alu or stainless through the laser at work or plastic / wood on my own for those who do not have easy access to one.
Keep up the hard work - to have a laser at arms length away at home is great. With a bit of help from old faxes / printers one can save lots of $$ ( ZA RRRR ) .
One very important unit is the water cooler - normally one can build one while waiting for long delivery parts . A few meter Al tube coiled with a fan , water pump and water tank and a few hours of work will provide you with a decent water cooler.
Cheers Nico