yup.

 

Awesome build Robert, I made an account just to let you know. I'm working on building my own laser cutter/engraver and yours is the cleanest design I've seen yet. Could you elaborate on why you used a relay and a transistor for turning the laser on/off from the Arduino's digital output pin? I've seen in done multiple ways: with relays, transistors, MOSFETS, etc... Is this design changing at all for the M140 diode system?

 

Very helpful! Thank you! Following this thread http://www.photonlexicon.com/forums...CNC-Laser-Engraving-8bit-Shades-of-Grey-445nm I noticed that the author started with a 2 watt 445 and ended up expanding to 2 2 watt 445s angled to share the same focal point. I wonder if the current board and software will allow for that?

 

(edited for clarity) Robert, has a complete BOM been posted somewhere yet? Also, by any chance, do you have any blank PCB's avail?

Thanks
Rich

 

Interesting one this because the laws of spectral physics tells us that combining two laser beams in this manner does not work yet from practical experimentation JJW tells us that it does work.


Tweakie.

 

Could this be because he might have the beams more finely focused and aimed side-by-side to make a total beam size the same as a single, not optimally sized beam? Would that allow the speed increase he desires?

I am just trying to figure out how it might be possible.

 

I really don’t know just how it does work (because science dictates that it does not) but I have known JJW for a good few years and if he says it works then it does.

You could be right about the side by side thing but JJW does focus the two beams to exactly the same minimal sized spot (one on top of each other) on the surface of the work.
At the focal distance he is using the depth of field is greater than the penetration so the two beams remain (for the most part) on top of one another.

There are many mysteries in physics, perhaps this is one of them ??


Tweakie.

 

#1 seems easier

Btw can't wait for the LD3X!

 

Robert, will I be able to purchase just a blank PCB from you? I kinda like the idea of building it myself...

Rich

 

That would be an LDX3 board, right?

Just send me a pm on cost and a paypal addy to send it to. Heck, I may even buy 5 blank boards from you if you'll let me (Christmas presents)

 

Robert, any word on those boards?

Rich

 

Unsure of the official policy on 'dibs', put me down for 1 please

 

Hey Robert, is there a flexible plastic sheet that has the same protective properties as the laser glasses? I was thinking of putting some small rare earth magnets around the upper and lower router mount and wrapping a sheet of protective material areound the mount to be able to see through while laser cutting/burning. I would still be wearing the protective glasses. That way if someone came down and did not heef the sign, they would have some amount of protection until I yelled at them.

Make sense?

 

Please be extremely careful here guys, eyes are precious.

The only filters that are safe to use are those which are OD rated at the wavelength of the laser being used.

Without the proper test equipment could we ever be sure that a particular piece of coloured acrylic would truly filter out the harmful element ?? and I, for one, would certainly not even consider using ‘trial and error’ to find out.


Tweakie.

 

My concern is not for me, as I will be wearing glasses. I am trying to add a level of protection to someone on the way to the laundry room and not paying attention to the sign that the laser is in use. I already plan to hang an extra pair of glasses upstairs by the door, but we all know that not everyone pays attention.

 

Man I should have NEVER followed this build and thread as I fear I am addicted, I can smell Foamie aircraft laser table in my future with a hot wire option included..

 

Hey guys, just wondering if you'd recommend that someone with zero experience with building machines such as the one in this thread to go ahead with trying this one out? I've was planning on buying a laser cutter but this looks more fun

 

Building your own is certainly more fun, plus you do learn a lot. It can still be a little expensive to buy all the parts though. The mechanics are not to tough thanks to products like OpenBuild extrusions and connectors. The software required may be a little rough around the edges. How are you with simple wiring?

 

Robert, any word on those boards?

 

Ronert, message sent...