Difference between revisions of "40 Watt Laser Cutter"

Revision as of 16:38, 25 January 2012

Overview

This is How to Use the laser cutter.

SAFETY

• Treat the Laser Cutter like an angry cobra and you should be just fine.
• Do Not Adjust The Current via the Control Knob. Use the Software Settings.

40W Full Spectrum Deluxe Hobby Laser

link

HAVE A PATTERN TO CUT (the computer has internet and a couple of programs for editing images)

1. Turn on the Laser and dedicated Laser Control Computer via Power Splitter. (classy? yes!)
2. Make sure the Laser Control Computer boots into Windows, it really wants to be a linux box.
3. Transfer the Pattern to the LCC
4. On the Taskbar, click the RetinaEngrave icon (it looks like a blue triangle)
5. When it has loaded, check to see that it is connected to the Laser Cutter (bottom left corner should say "Connected")
   1. Minimize it
6. Open the Pattern
   1. Inkscape is suggested for Vector Mode
   2. Corel Draw is available, as is GIMP and a number of other programs
7. Print the Pattern and make sure the "Full Spectrum Engineering Driver" is the selected printer
8. RetinaEngrave should receive the pattern.
9. See the table below for RetinaEngrave settings
10. Insert the Material to be cut.
    1. Set the Laser's height based on the ruler. (picture below)
       1. Manually turn the height adjust wheel to raise or lower the bed.
    2. Be sure to click the "Perimeter" button in Retina engrave to verify that the Material is properly spaced, move the laser head as needed.
11. Click the "Go" button to begin cutting.
    1. You can do a test run by leaving the door open. The laser head will move, but the laser will not engage.

WHEN YOU ARE DONE

1. There is a 'Shutdown' link on the desktop that turns the computer off
2. Flip the power button on the Power Splitter
3. Blow the water out of the Laser Tube in the Orange Bucket (to prevent freezing)

Retina Engrave Power Settings

• High Density Fiberboard (HDF) 1/8"
  • Vector Mode: POWER: 100% | SPEED: 90% | NUM CUTS: 30 to 35

Vector Cutting Setting Suggestions

S= Speed
P= Power
R= Number of repetitions

A Note About Height Settings:

blah blah blah, I need to fill this in

Acrylic: 1/4"

S:30
P:100
R:2

FiberBoard: 3/8"

S:30
P:100
R:3

Cardstock: 110 lb, white

Cutting

S:100
P:10
R:1

Fold Lines

S:100
P:0.2-0.5
R:1
Other Instructions: In Pepakura, set the dotted line settings to be ~ Line= 0.1, Gap= 0.5