Projets:Perso:2013:CNC laser cutter/engraver

This project is a personal project which aims to build a small laser CNC at the lowest possible cost for learning purpose.

At Electrolab, we have a huge laser in stock waiting to be used and this project is unrelated. But it may help us understand more about laser technology and learn how to build a custom device.

We may also collaborate with Amiens hacker club on that project (Eloib, www.etolab.com).

There is a need for a small and versatile CNC laser cutter/engraver:
 * Cutting small wood / acrylic parts.
 * Engaving aluminium / metal parts.

The devices should not require too much space and should be cheap, around 1000 EUR maximum.

= Buildlog.net laser =

While searching the Internet, I found this small Buildlog.Net 2.x 40W CO2 laser, designed by Barton Dring and licenced under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0.



Follow these links for a complete description:
 * Buildlog.net
 * Buildlog.net forum and new member intro
 * Buildlog.net wiki
 * Scalable Laser 2.x - Gantry, Frame, Skins and Drive Mods
 * Parts in STEP format.
 * Drawings.
 * Bill of materials. Warning: does not include laser and AC/DC.
 * Laser Optics Calculator and research documents.

= Technical details =

I would like to upgrade Buildlog 2.x laser to 60W and later 80-100W.


 * Working area: 12” x 20” x 4” = 304,8 mm x 508 mm x 101,6 mm. Could be extended to a larger area.
 * Laser: 60 watt co2 laser tube(later upgradeable to 80-100 watt)
 * Structure: Openrail or Makerslide.
 * Axes : X and Y axes.
 * Lift platform with motor (Z axe?).
 * Fume extraction.
 * Water cooling.
 * Red Dot Pointer.
 * Should run under MACH3 and LinuxCNC

More details: http://www.buildlog.net/blog/2011/02/buildlog-net-2-x-laser/

To obtain that, we must use Scalable Laser 2.x script.

= Materials =

This is only what is expected.

Cutting:
 * Acrilyc (no PVC)
 * Dark plastic
 * Wood

Engraving:
 * Wood
 * Glass
 * Anodized Aluminum
 * Granite

= Supply =

We don't want to order from US based companies, as delivery costs are too high. So we are looking for european suppliers.

Laser tubes
It seems that 40W entry-level laser tubes are extremely cheap on eBay:


 * Hign Quality 40W CO2 Sealed Laser Engraver Tube Water Cool 70cm Engraving (eBay.co.uk) = 70 GPB + 55GPB

By comparision, 60W tubes are more expensive:
 * 60W laser tube water cooling for CO2 laser engraver = 220 EUR + 95 EUR

I am currently looking for a cheap 60W tube.

Aluminium and plastic parts
6061-T6 Aluminium

= Phase 1: mechanics and rails =

= Phase 2: electronics and laser =

Be the force with us :)