Chris Anderson published a new build:

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Mostly wood and plastics right now. I like to do some engraving on some metal also. Also want to look at cutting some G10 type material and/or fiber (heard need to be careful about some of that - plan do get a good exhaust system going to vent outside.

 

You know I really do not know - right now it is sitting on a portable table that is not very sturdy that allows it to shake when I do move it especially the Y access (gantry) . The X access is not an issue - very smooth and it is not moving much weight. I imagine I could use a NEMA17 on that access or a much small NEMA24 - Think i have a 280 or something like that.

Anyway, I have easily moved it add 3000mm/s (think that is the right unit). I am just going off the top of my head right now. Once i get it one the dedicated table I plan to build I will be able to move fairly fast - will have to do a video of that!

 

Added my current 3D design (step export for Fusion 360) file plus a few other design files for the parts. Will add 3D Printed STL files also sortly

 

Mostly Wood and Plex. I want to also play with engraving metal. Will experiment with some other materials but nothing definite right now. Oh, also foam board - got some models layouts i want to cut.

 

Sorry Rich - not really understanding your first question about deflection/profile.

As far as size - my cutting dimensions are 600x1200mm which was my my goal to be able to cut 500x1000mm so I fairly happy.

 

Oh, absolutely none. The X assembly is so light it was probably sturdy enough with just a 20x60 I have running horizontal but I did put a vertical 20x40 under it to make sure i had not flex at all! Lasers are nice in that they are so light compared to dealing with building CNC router systems in which you have all that weight to deal with! I also build 3D printers and building this laser cutter is much like building a 3D printer. In fact I was thinking it would not be hard to add a 3D Printer head assembly if I wanted. Just need a little more wiring for the head - although the length of my system may be a challenge to do something like that when dealing with print head heater and hermocouple/thermistor.

 

Just added a new video with it doing it first "official" cut. Still need to build cover part (in progress) along with adding all the enclosure. Part of the enclosure is done but more to do. You cannot see it but build a new roller table under it to help stabilize it (much sturdier than table it was on) and also allows me to roll it up against out of the way when not using or working on it.

 

There are a few I guess. For most of the rail systems I am using standard parts. The big issue is building the build assemblies on the Y access and of course the Z access. Probably the Z would be easier to replace/redesign.

 

I do have extras there. There is the air assist like you said but I also want to add a laser position pointer (5v) and also a auto Z leveler (sig/grnd) so I have a couple wires pulled for that but those are not installed yet.

 

I have a long run along the front from left to right and I have a tension/connector there - it works out that the belt movement length (between the front left and front right screws) provides just enough Z turns of the ACME screws to provide full left range needed (about 300mm). If I wanted to have even more range then I would have had an issue. I thought about that and possible having multiple close loop belts spaced just so but that become a real pain (along with tension issues). Anyway, that worked for me. Could also get facter lift screws to get more range but would have to watch that and the power load needed to move them.