FLC1490 Laser Cutter

Creator: Gtpyro Status: Building the How To Guide, Experimenting with Various Materials Born On: 19:23, 08 August 2015 (CST) Last Updated: 20:07, 08 August 2015 (CDT)

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Past

• Nothing interesting yet

Specifications

Outside Dimensions (LxWxH): TBD"xTBD"xTBD"
Net Weight: a LOT!
Maximum material size: TBD"xTBD"
Maximum engrave-able area: TBD"xTBD"
Standard Lens: TBD
Maximum material thickness: TBD"
CO2 Laser Wavelength: 10.6um (TBR)
Maximum Laser Power: 100W
Maximum Power Requirements: TBD W

Overview

This is How to Use the laser cutter.

SAFETY

• NOTE - THE BELOW WAS STOLEN FROM THE 40 Watt Laser Cutter PAGE. ACTUAL SAFETY STUFF MIGHT DIFFER!!!
• Treat the Laser Cutter like an angry cobra and you should be just fine.
  • As long as the safety mechanisms are working the laser is perfectly safe. If you defeat the magnetic safety interlock switch and run the laser with the case open, then you are exposing yourself to Class 4 Laser Radiation and you deserve what you get. Class 4 means that a coherent reflection can cause "DEVASTATING AND PERMANENT" eye damage with less than 1/100th second exposure, and even diffuse reflections are harmful within a certain distance. Add to that the fact that this is an infrared laser, which means the beam is invisible, and it falls more along the lines of an angry radioactive cobra. DO. NOT. DEFEAT. THE. SAFETY. INTERLOCK.
• Do Not Adjust The Current via the Control Knob. Use the Software Settings.
  • DO NOT run the laser at greater than 15mA. Doing so will shorten the life span.
    • >20mA will drastically shorten the lifespan.
    • Replacement laser tubes are $300 a piece. Don't be a doofus.
• The big red E-STOP button is there for a reason. Use it if things go awry.
• What happens if you engrave or cut something containing hydrogen or vinyl chloride?
  • If you don't know what's in the material you're engraving or cutting, you may have unintentionally cut or engraved items containing polyvinyl chloride. Performing this once or twice will likely not drastically damage your machine; however, continued engraving or cutting of this material will corrode the inside of your machine.
  • A more important consideration are the potentially hazardous fumes that might be released from processing these materials. Some materials are quite toxic when burned and the damage to your health is much more important than the minor damage you might do to your machine.
  • Material Safety Data Sheets are an invaluable resource for laser engravers. To protect your health and the life of your machine, always obtain a MSDS for materials about which you are uncertain.
    • The above was taken from this site

FLC1490 Laser Cutter

link

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

1. INSTRUCTIONS ON HOW TO RUN THE LASER GO HERE

WHEN YOU ARE DONE

1. SHUTTING DOWN INSTRUCTIONS GO HERE

Raster Engraving Setting Suggestions

Material	Speed	Power	Resolution	Notes
Acrylic	TBD	TBD	TBD
ABS Sheet, Black	TBD	TBD	TBD	Does not engrave well on textured ABS, but the smooth side of the sheet does engrave well.
Tempered Fiberboard	TBD	TBD	TBD
Basswood	TBD	TBD	TBD
Cardstock, 110 lb, White	TBD	TBD	TBD
Laser Frost Sheet	TBD	TBD	TBD
AlumaMark Sheet, Satin Silver	TBD	TBD	TBD
Spray Paint, Black, Glossy	TBD	TBD	TBD
EVA Foam (puzzle piece mats, 3/8" thick)	1000	15	0.08	does not cut a straight edge

Vector Cutting Setting Suggestions

Material	Thickness	Speed	Power	Repetitions	Notes
Acrylic	1/4"	TBD	TBD	TBD	Also known as Plexiglas, Lucite, and Perspex. (Darker acrylic needs more reps)
	1/8"	TBD	TBD	TBD
ABS Sheet, Black, Textured	1/16"	TBD	TBD	TBD
Tempered Fiberboard	3/16"	TBD	TBD	TBD
	1/8"	TBD	TBD	TBD
Luan Plywood	5.2mm	TBD	TBD	TBD	For best results, focus the laser about halfway through the material. Still not a super clean cut, but it's easy enough to punch out each piece.
Sandeply Wood	5.2mm	TBD	TBD	TBD	For best results, focus the laser about halfway through the material. Much better cut than the Luan Plywood.
Basswood	3/32"	TBD	TBD	TBD
Cardstock, 110 lb, White	N/A	TBD	TBD	TBD
Cereal Box Cardboard	N/A	TBD	TBD	TBD
Laserboard	0.020"	TBD	TBD	TBD	Can be found at Automated Artists
	0.011"	TBD	TBD	TBD
Foamcore, with paper	3/16"	TBD	TBD	TBD	This is the foamboard found at the Dollar Tree.
Foamcore, paper removed	3/16"	TBD	TBD	TBD	This is the foamboard found at the Dollar Tree, but with the paper peeled off.
Craft Foam sheet with glitter	0.075"	20	7	2	Crafting foam sheet from Hobby Lobby that has glitter on one side. Put glitter side DOWN!!!
Hobby Lobby Stencil Sheet	N/A	TBD	TBD	TBD	Also known as mylar sheet. Remove the plastic covering before cutting.
Blue Painter's Tape (2 Layers)	N/A	TBD	TBD	TBD	For best results, attach the tape to another medium first, like cardboard or plywood. This keeps the tape from moving and warping while being cut.
High Density Fiberboard (HDF)	1/4"	TBD	TBD	TBD
EVA Foam (puzzle piece mats)	3/8"	20	7	4
Polycarbonate	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	Please do not cut polycarbonate on the laser. It releases chemicals that may be bad for you and the laser, and doesn't even cut well. Also known as Lexan, Makrolon, and Makroclear.

Other Vector Setting Suggestions

Material	Thickness	Speed	Power	Repetitions	Notes
Cardstock, 110 lb, White	N/A	TBD	TBD	TBD
Cereal Box Cardboard	N/A	TBD	TBD	TBD
Laserboard	N/A	TBD	TBD	TBD
Sugar, Table, Granulated	N/A	TBD	TBD	TBD
Fig Newtons	N/A	TBD	TBD	TBD

Polycarbonate

• I've heard several opinions as to whether or not it is safe to cut polycarbonate on the laser cutter, so I've tried to look into it a bit.
• I have determined that, with the recent upgrade to the ventilation system, polycarbonate should be safe to laser cut here at the makeshop.
• I have also read, but not verified, that freezing the material before cutting may help achieve better results. (ie. cleaner edges, less browning, etc.)
• A few references:
  • US Plastic Corporation: Can polycarbonate be laser cut?
  • cnczone.com forums
  • epiloglaser.com
  • ponko.com
  • instructables.com Post from "pedalmonkey" about halfway down has some good advice on cutting/polishing
  • CR4 forums

Software Notes & Troubleshooting

TBD

Inkscape

General

Inkscape User Manual

• Snapping is your friend.

Making perforated lines:

TBD

Making gears:

TBD

HyCad

General

TBD

Pepakura

General

TBD

Proposed Upgrades

TBD

Software Resources

Inkscape User Manual

Software

123D (by AutoDesk)

More Stuff

Flame Test for Chlorine

Other More Stuff

• Box making extension for Inkscape
• Make a giraffe!
• Friggin T-Rex!
• Make It Real Contest
• Foldulele

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