Latest revision as of 09:42, 28 May 2013

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.

Buildlog.net 2.0 laser

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 :)