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Projects / Re: PCB photoresist film exposure
« on: August 17, 2017, 10:20:23 AM »
A strong solution of H2O2 will eat your lungs very nicely. We use a powerful UV lamp to reduce the H2O2 to water & oxygen.
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BenCutLaser / Re: Engraving Beta Test Thread (OPEN)
« on: August 16, 2017, 08:52:27 PM »
I will give it a try but suspect (from my limited experience) that the chrome and paint is going to translate quite porely to engraving. Turning it into line art might give better results.
I like to etch in 100 x 100 mm slate which mean getting the image into 80 x 80 mm box. I generally scale the image into 254 dpi format which give 1000 x 1000 pixels. Just did the attached Honda icon for a co-worker. Etched OK in slate, great in wood.
I like to etch in 100 x 100 mm slate which mean getting the image into 80 x 80 mm box. I generally scale the image into 254 dpi format which give 1000 x 1000 pixels. Just did the attached Honda icon for a co-worker. Etched OK in slate, great in wood.
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T2 Engraving / Re: Laser inks for acrylic, glass, and aluminum
« on: August 16, 2017, 05:46:40 PM »
I watched some videos showing what a great product it is. Looked at the results and wondered how it could be so good yet no one on the laser group was posting results. I am quite cynical with vendor generated "art" that could easily be photoshopped. If you try it, please post you results.
BTW - I bought the laser etcher because I saw a video of it cutting 8mm clear acrylic. Turned out to be pure fraud.
BTW - I bought the laser etcher because I saw a video of it cutting 8mm clear acrylic. Turned out to be pure fraud.
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Trouble Shooting / Re: wheels not rolling smoothly
« on: August 15, 2017, 08:35:55 PM »
I wish my 3D prints came out as gook looking as the images generated for the thingiverse models!
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Trouble Shooting / Re: wheels not rolling smoothly
« on: August 14, 2017, 05:10:15 PM »
I suspect the tension mechanism should be on the bottom such that the top wheels support the weight. I recall someone posted a design where there were wheels positioned on the sides to reduce the swaying motion.
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BenCutLaser / Re: Engraving Beta Test Thread (OPEN)
« on: August 12, 2017, 06:16:08 AM »
I have some Motorcycle logos to etch in both 100mm x 100mm slate coasters and 120mm x 80mm oval wood panels. The artwork is png files at 254 dpi. Would try BLC if it would help. Same images centered on both materials. For slate I use speed 900 / 90, wood 1200 / 30.
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T2 Engraving / Re: Machine Home Point and where engraving starts
« on: August 11, 2017, 09:22:48 AM »
100,000 cycle life, 10 open/close per day. I won't live that long.
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Other Software / Re: T2Laser Software
« on: August 11, 2017, 09:20:40 AM »
I like to maximize the confusion factor. Guess I could have ordered it better.
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BenCutLaser / Re: BCL For CNC Router (OPEN)
« on: August 11, 2017, 09:19:24 AM »
1. I would like to be able to just plop a slab of wood on the cutting deck and have
the firmware know where to start. Perhaps more useful for etching than cutting.
2. I have and use air assist. Was wondering if lightly burning the surface first
would reduce the area of "sweat" that appears.
3. Am looking into designing one.
4. It would be nice (for me anyway) to have the application auto detect small holes
(under 6mm) and lightly burn the hole outline on the first pass and auto perform
a drill indent operation. Could be a semi manual operation in conjunction with the
path calculations
the firmware know where to start. Perhaps more useful for etching than cutting.
2. I have and use air assist. Was wondering if lightly burning the surface first
would reduce the area of "sweat" that appears.
3. Am looking into designing one.
4. It would be nice (for me anyway) to have the application auto detect small holes
(under 6mm) and lightly burn the hole outline on the first pass and auto perform
a drill indent operation. Could be a semi manual operation in conjunction with the
path calculations
10
T2 Engraving / Re: Machine Home Point and where engraving starts
« on: August 11, 2017, 09:09:27 AM »
I do not have the same controller and or firmware as you but the scheme is the same:
1. Determine where to mount the switch and what moving part will contact the wiper arm.
2. Determine if you are going to wire in series or parallel. Parallel was easiest for me as
I have the individual 3-pin headers on the controller board that matched the supplied cables.
3. Enable the option in the GRBL source code and rebuild (or get from someone)
4. Load new firmware into micro.
Will post pictures on Monday if someone doesn't do it first. The entire process took longer to think about than doing it.
1. Determine where to mount the switch and what moving part will contact the wiper arm.
2. Determine if you are going to wire in series or parallel. Parallel was easiest for me as
I have the individual 3-pin headers on the controller board that matched the supplied cables.
3. Enable the option in the GRBL source code and rebuild (or get from someone)
4. Load new firmware into micro.
Will post pictures on Monday if someone doesn't do it first. The entire process took longer to think about than doing it.
11
Other Software / Re: T2Laser Software
« on: August 11, 2017, 08:32:02 AM »
Or "snail" vs "ant" speed
Or "Local Postal Service" vs "China Post"
Or "Local Postal Service" vs "China Post"
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T2 Engraving / Re: Machine Home Point and where engraving starts
« on: August 11, 2017, 08:28:41 AM »
I get the switches from eBay that have a small circuit board that comes with headers and cables. I have both mechanical contact and non-contact versions but only tested the mechanical. The boards have a led which indicated tripped.
I use the laser itself to cut an insulating layer out of 1mm soft plastic shelf liner available at Walmart etc. and a 3mm screw & T-Nut to attach to the aluminum frame. I think I posted the simple design file about 10 moths ago. If not, probably still have file but will not be home till Monday. Just 2 holes and the outline of the board.
I use the laser itself to cut an insulating layer out of 1mm soft plastic shelf liner available at Walmart etc. and a 3mm screw & T-Nut to attach to the aluminum frame. I think I posted the simple design file about 10 moths ago. If not, probably still have file but will not be home till Monday. Just 2 holes and the outline of the board.
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T2 Engraving / Re: Machine Home Point and where engraving starts
« on: August 11, 2017, 04:59:00 AM »
It might help if you install "Homing" or "Limit" switches. Same physical switch, slightly different usage. I have homing switches installed on the X & Y axis. Prior to starting a burn I issue a "HOME" command. This causes the firmware to issue "move negative" commands in both in both X & Y until the switch trips and then set this point as (0,0). Also useful if you have a Z axis.
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BenCutLaser / Re: BCL For CNC Router (OPEN)
« on: August 10, 2017, 10:03:26 PM »
The list of desired CNC features could keep you tied up for years. I would vote for increased laser only features such as:
1. sensor to auto the shape/location of the work piece.
2. techniques to reduce charing,
3. sensor to detect when material is fully cut thru.
4. auto convert circles to low power outline plus pilot hole for conventional drilling.
1. sensor to auto the shape/location of the work piece.
2. techniques to reduce charing,
3. sensor to detect when material is fully cut thru.
4. auto convert circles to low power outline plus pilot hole for conventional drilling.
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Projects / Re: My Rotary Axis
« on: August 07, 2017, 10:42:11 PM »
I think that if you have a 0.4mm nozzle and no kerf compensation your part will be 0.2 larger in both X & Y on both extremes. You could also expect the inside holes to be 0.4mm less in diameter. That is assuming your holes are aligned vertical. When the hole is perpendicular to the Z they will be oblong depending on the layer height.
This is from a complete newcomer to the 3D printing game but is the result of doing some medium sized prints with cutouts and measuring the results
This is from a complete newcomer to the 3D printing game but is the result of doing some medium sized prints with cutouts and measuring the results