Hytech2k published a new build:

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Thanks Mark !

Gerald

 

Thanks Mark.. It's a tight fit in those little carriages, I tested one by installing it in a carriage and giving the belt a good pull. The stepper will skip steps or the belt will slip before these let go...

 

I have no problem posting the file, the issue is I can't design in Sketchup... I'll post the DXF I used to cut it, if someone could convert it into a STL or .skp model that would be great. I would like to get some of these 3D printed in the future for the "next" project with C-Beam... If your looking for a 3D printer solution I found these on Thingiverse just had to modify it a bit for my use....

 

UPDATE 08/15/2015

Alot going on right now, we're upgrading the laser to a 6 watt 445nm laser diode with a 3 element lens along with a analog/TTL driver capable of pushing over 6 amps of power. We're going to keep it throttled down to 4.5 amps though to increase the diodes life span, should give us just over 6 watts of beam. I just received the driver, just waiting on the diode and heatsink now.



We have decided to add on to my office/clean room to make a space for just the Triple Shot to occupy, so development has somewhat slowed. I received my G10 today so i'm cutting the final plates and the connector plates for the electronics boxes, i'll post photos of those as soon as I get them assembled and tested.

 

UPDATE 08/26/2015

Ok i've completed the power supply module finally, it consists of 2 - 24V 15A switching power supplies tied together to double the available current (30A) for the 2 MK2 heatbeds we're installing for the 3D printer setup, 1 - 12V 10A adjustable step down buck drive to provide power to the fans and the laser driver, and 1 - DC-DC SSR to turn the heatbeds off and on. This power module will be able to provide the power for the Laser, 3D printer, and CNC router with all the associated electronics.



I have both a FlexMod P3 and a 6.2A adjustable driver for the 6W laser diode, and I just finished the custom heatsink host for this diode.



I am now working on the CNC Router/Laser electronics module and hope to have that completed this afternoon. I will upload some photos and a breakdown of the components here when I get it together. Stay tuned !!

 

Thanks Mark ! From what I understand the 6 watt is about the strongest on the market right now, should be able to cut 1/8 ply with it fairly easily. Pushing 4-5 amps to the generates alot of heat so good cooling for the driver and diode is essential.

What driver is that Michel and do you have a link to it? The water cooling option looks great, I was thinking of modifying a CPU water cooler setup with a custom CNC'd copper block to house the diode, should be able to keep the temps down..

Gerald

 

Yeah you might want to look into maybe encapsulating the driver in silicone but I believe that driver needs to be heatsinked as well, pretty easy to overheat them..

 

Thanks Joe !! I'm testing the 6 watt LD now, working pretty good, just need to get the feed rates dialed in... I'll be posting more vids and photos this weekend... I also modded my camera to do time lapse with what I like to refer to as the Magic Finger lol, found it in a instructable, i'll post a few photos of that as well...

 

Thanks !!

The 6 watt isn't bad, in my opinion it's better to have more than what you "currently" need, you never know what you might like to try in the future.. Plus the 6 watt is throttled back with PWM so it can run from just barely on up to full power, works great for doing fast grayscale images..

The 3D topo maps are great, love that idea... You might want to check out picengrave.com, they have a cnc/laser program that can carve the contour map then lay laser engraving right over it for shading and such without resetting the piece.. If you don't mind me asking, what software are you using for the relief? I have a couple but have yet had the chance to try them out...

 

They look great !!

Have you ever checked out this software :
http://paulrowntree.weebly.com/topo.html

I haven't gotten around to trying it yet but looks great for making topographical maps and such.

Keep up the good work !

Gerald

 

I'll post a few photos and a video or two this afternoon with some of the things i've engraved with it. I have to still play with the power settings for grayscale images but for vector engraving I get great detail.

 

Here are a couple photos and a video showing the Triple Shot in operation. These are centerpieces for a new product we're coming out with and only measure 4 inches at the widest point.