I have actually been setting up a laser cutter on the CNC machine. The laser cutter was sent to by Avid CNC. It's been a slow process over the last couple of months. The first step was setting up the laser physically to the z-axis of the CNC machine. This went fairly uncomplicated as it was just following guidelines and putting in screws. The other larger task with this was updating my CNC control box. This involved swapping out numerous controller cards in package as I have an older control box from the very first version of this CNC device from Avid CNC back when it was CNC Router Parts. The directions remained in 2 parts and rather overlapping making it complicated to follow. I did get very good assistance from Avid CNC's assistance staff so in the end it works just fine. I have actually been using it so far to cut out flattened messages that I can fold back into a three-dimensional form. I have actually also experimented with inscribing pictures into wood. I made a photo of our feline that the rest of the family truly likes.
Avid CNC:
Tools used in this task can be discovered at
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0:00 (intro).
1:14 (dust collection).
1:34 (instasalling).
4:04 (control box).
9:09 (dust collection).
11:19 (cutting).
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A stepper bit will prevent cut a cleaner sheet metal whole and will never dive and spin wildly because the bit is a cone. Great videos. ❤
Looks like a great product, my only concern is that most laser cutters have a full cover and that’s for a good reason. One of the main issues is obviously the risk of being blinded by the laser. Just want to reinforce that these open air laser cutters come with more risks than conventional ones!
Yep, really hope he’s wearing certified laser goggles for the wavelength of his cutter. Some of the cheaper open air laser cutter kits come with knock off goggles that should be replaced by anyone that cares about their vision!
I agree this stuff is really dangerous, and no one else should be in the shop while operating.
This kit comes with protective glasses so I’m sure he’s wearing them
@@dpmakestuff he hasn’t showed it in the video, I’m concerned Frank is not aware of the dangers a Laser has.
@@Craftlngo does Frank really strike you as someone not aware? He’s no fool.
Don’t you have a rotating axis on your CNC down at the end of the table? It would be interesting to see the continents burned (drawn) on a turned sphere.
My first thought exactly!
Been awhile but nice you see you back! I would have taken task with Avid to assist on the older revision panel or gotten that upgraded…regardless of the “free” laser since you will get them advertising aka influencer promo. I mean, if I were to invest in a CNC for my shop, Avid comes to mind thanks to Frank!
Can’t wait to see what projects you come up with using this new feature!! Bound to be fantastic!!!
Fascinating! You once showed a pile of metalworking tools in your basement – did you ever set up your metal shop? FWIW, that’s something I’d find interesting.
Also did that to my DIY CNC.
It’s a really cool tool to add.
I love your channel Frank 😊
Great idea, my concern is there should an enclosure and or the correct safety eye wear
I did this myself recently on my CNC router, they are a handy tool to have, very good for engraving and have a very thin cut line which can be handy.
I didn’t see what eye protection you have but please make sure the goggles you have are decent ones which are certified for the wavelength and power of your laser and no one (or pets) can get in (or see in) your workshop when the laser is in use. You or your viewers may not realise how dangerous these lasers can be.
Its been said here , but it is worth repeating. – The laser cutter cover AND ventilation are MUST HAVES.
Looks pretty cool. How will you add a cover and fume extractor to it?
Hey Frank, I always get excited when you have new videos out. This was no exception. One thing I would love would be to see some more of your design process whenever you use blender or aspire. Have a great day!
Be careful with that laser Frank, at 15 watts you’re in the power range where reflections can cause eye damage, and the fact you can see the blue dot as it’s doing it’s lasing means you’re seeing reflections. There really should be a cover over that entire laser that rides right off the surface of what you’re cutting so you don’t actually see the laser
Welcome to the laser vortex! Suggest you add a honeycomb bed to the mix … easier to hold thin stock down and cleaner burns when cutting.
Fantastic, Frank! Congrats! 😃
The laser is going to open a whole new world for you!
Stay safe there with your family! 🖖😊
Big fan of your channel Frank! ❤ Apparently, your first polyhedron is called an icosahedron (20 sides). Thank google 😂
Major downside of add-on laser is that router table has to be sturdy and therefore heavy, limiting acceleration and maximum movement speed. Therefore you are usually getting stuck with low feed rates and thus slow cutting/engraving speed. Some CNC controllers also are not able to modulate laser power based on actual head speed, thus smaller details get overburnt and straight lines, where F is reached get much less exposure. But anyway it works if you manage to set it right and don’t plan to run it for production.
Get some OD7+ ANSI certified goggles. They range from about $100-200 and will protect you from any vision damage from the dot of the laser. Make sure they also cover the wavelength of your laser. Should be around the 455 nm range, so goggles will be orange or yellow in color. But they should have the wavelength coverage listed as should your laser.
My team designed and built a device fore measuring torsional vibration using a laser a very long time ago. It was a fairly powerful laser and worked perfectly and had a way better sampling rate than the thousand tooth encoder we used previously (this was for measuring crankshaft vibration at Ford UK Product Development) but the safety people wouldn’t let us use it, even in controlled locations, because there was too much risk of leakage hitting someone in the face.
You can make a jig for the razor blade attachment. Spring loaded balls in front and back side, it will glide but will push the paper down when the razor goes up. Some suction under the table does the job pretty good as well. Or you can mark outer lines around the cutting zones and staple outside to held it down.
For fumes, you might need to add a filter somewhere in your dust collector and a seperate line for the laser attachment.
Eye protection with sides, a makeshift enclosure or attachment around the laser would be a good idea. You might not have enough time to react before going blind, if some reflection hits your eyes. Locking the doors during operation or putting a sign is also necessary, especially if kids visit your shop frequently.
A cap over the laser lens might be good idea to prevent dust getting onto the optics of the laser. I havent seen laser and router side by side until now, but dust might become an issue for the little optics on the laser. Even the fumes of the burning material can mess up your optics and reduce output power. Depending on your unit, cleaning might be a nightmare.
If anyone is wanting a laser to mark wood, you can buy cheap spring loaded pens and make an adapter to put in in the shaft of the router. You can turn the spindle off and use it to mark or draw on the surface, it works wonders for marking bend lines on thin sheet metals, it is not a replacement laser, but cheap enough to try for simple stuff.
Sorry for being annoying by commenting on safety, but, seriously, we want to watch your creations for a long time. I hope you take some precautions, diresta would mock us, john heisz would lecture us telling that he knows but is comfortable with things as they are, but i hope, you will not ignore some lighthearted concerns.
Nice upgrade! I always love your CNC videos. I use my laser + spindle CNC to mark the locations of the hold down screws so the bit doesnt hit them later. Works perfectly because the board does not experience sideway forces by using the laser so it cannot offset the piece. Just lay the board on the CNC bed and screw it down after the laser is done.