Here is the laser setup I made to exchange with the Dewalt 618 router On my OX build. Mount was made by Chris Laidlaw. Router slides out and this replaces it as needed.
RE: your laser looks lightweight, Neat, but here's a real newbie (to the forum question), has anyone ever bolted another "z slide" to the back side of the gantry, like a old double shotgun you'd always have the other ready, just swap user coords. You'd of course have a tool offset to plug in each time you used the other. A drill-mill would be one example.. less tool changes. A laser could get by on less "mass" also, like a 20x40?? I am working on a 20 foot unit here based off a Ibeam, possibly later with multiple independent gantry s as the wallet allows.
You could certainly do it the way you suggest. I put together my "wants" and headed toward fulfilling as many as I could. My desires were: Price - keeping down the costs needed to add laser to my existing OX build Simplicity - eliminate as much swapping of setups in software as possible. (X, Y) coordinates are same Mount - I wanted to b e able to use my existing Z mount. Motors - I wanted to get away from having a second motor to slide a tool behind the gantry assembly. The concept was to see if I could router carve designs and then drop in the laser and create highlight and other design ideas around and in the routed patterns. I can also cut some things if needed. I discussed my idea with Robert Hummel and he made the board and told me where to get the laser parts. I just put some aluminum in the lathe and cut away anything that didn't look like a laser mount and here I am.
Neat stuff.. I started modding mine today, I am mounting a 3d probe on the back side, lighter duty slide, and a Longer heavier Z on the front with 8 rollers, moving the cross axis 400oz motor to the side rail and looping the belt to remove weight to make up for the added weight on cross slide. (that would allow a heavier router) Mine is a mod from a mostly finished 3d printer gantry, I was not happy with the 8mm amazon rods, and the ball bearing slides.. is crap, was cutting scratches on the rods.. I am keeping the 12mm rails and ball bearings, the rest gets tossed into a box here. I am real happy with the XExtreme Rollers.. I started to post a youtube video, you can "BLOW" on it and it moves.. and I can't blow that hard like the big Bad wolf.. I want to clone your laser setup, later after I get chips flying. I'll have more questions then. Thank you for sharing.
Wow, DiggerJ, I like that idea a lot. I hadn't considered using a router and a laser on the same work piece. In my mind, they were separate operations for separate projects. Great idea! I'm planning on using a router mount from Chris. Please post updates on how it works out for you. Thanks!
Thanks Randy. It just made sense to me. The ability to swap tools and keep 0,0 seemed reasonable. I hope it works out. My build has taken a short break while I decided to move it from the shop to the basement. Creating a space for it and a 3d printer so I don't have to pay to heat the shop q1uite as much.
Yes, it is time to think about heating the shop, isn't it? Looking at the insert you've made, I wonder if that could be made using an OX. That would be ideal!
I just ordered a 4"x1" 6061 al round from McMaster Carr for 7 bucks and turned a flange out of it on my lathe, but if you can hold your stock, you should be able to cut one out.
The laser driver board was made by Robert Hummel and the other parts are: http://www.ebay.com/itm/321271448327?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1438.l2649 and this: http://www.ebay.com/itm/Laser-Modul...606?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item1c34d8c486
DiggerJ, so how did the concept work out? have you had a chance to use the laser on a routed part to add highlights? any pics?
