What can be cut or engraved by an 40Watt Co2 laser

[PD0RUZ]

What can be cut with a 40Watt co2 laser..?
If the difference is high enough, i'm considdering of buying a 40Watt co2 laser or a 50watt.
Does somebody here have experience with these lasers from china...
Read an article of someone who rebuild this thing with a ramps board..But can't get any info on engraving on aluminum or rvs..
somebody?

[ROSS]

ZAX has one he will put you right.

[Zax]

I purchased mine in 2008, so I have some experience 

It's basically the same model they are still selling, the K40 type machine. I'm using the original laser tube which has lost about 10% of the power output but still cuts great.

They are more maintenance that a diode laser, for example you'll need a good DIW chiller system to keep the laser and internal mirrors cool. Some people use the CPU coolers but I don't think they have adequate water capacity and prefer the 2 gallon unit I have (which cost as much as the machine). I have flow and thermal interlocks which saved my laser when the cheap aquarium pump failed, as it shut down the laser before damage could occur. I highly recommend those upgrades.

I use the diodes for engraving and the CO2 for cutting.

It will not directly engrave metals, you can use an additive process to mark some (e.g. stainless steel) but the chemicals aren't cheap. A diode is better for that.

[Administrator]

You'll want to read as much as you can on Youtube about assembling these units...I'm interested in one myself but there are a ton of nightmare stories about putting them together...very dangerous with the 110vac wiring which on some kits are not grounded properly...you'll see if you read about these kits on Youtube.

As an aside, I've worked with 2 BCL users to get BCL working with their RAMPS 1.4 Mega2560 controller boards and I'm currently working with a 3rd user. I think if I get one, I'll get a 40 watt unit and take @Zax's advice and install an L7 controller board on it, flash Grbl 1.1e and go with that configuration!!!

[PD0RUZ]

Thanks for the info, so the standard config isn't that stable that it can run on the standard options..
Got a chiller for my Tig weld machine, maybe i can use that one to chill the tube..
Can it be used with glycol based fluid to chill?

[Administrator]

>so the standard config isn't that stable that it can run on the standard options.

I think it is, but the CO2 machines use a different set of gcode words than what our 'standard' Grbl gcode words are...so in BCL I had to add in Setup fields where you could change what gcode words are used if different.

For example, one of my BCL users has his machine using Marlin firmware and it understands the 'P' word for laser power. We normally use 'S' for that. So, in BCL Setup he changes the laser power field from S to P and now BCL generates the correct gcode for his marlin firmware to work.

[Zax]

Yes you can, and probably should use Ethylene Glycol. It needs to be clear as the laser goes through it and any particulates or pigments will heat up and crack the tube.

The standard control board is not G-code compatible, or at least not using ASCII text. It may be encrypted or compressed.

I didn't spend much time on it, and decided to replace the controller with something "standard".

[PD0RUZ]

Thanks for the info. @Zax, do you have some pics of your setup..?

[Zax]

It's a JSM40, well it was... now it's a Frankenstein 40W laser.

Compared to some of the cheap current models this was very well built and the glass tube is hermetic vs. the epoxy bonded ones they sell now. The advantage is it will last 10X longer as I've demonstrated by getting 8 years from it so far.

It has a manual Z-table with honeycomb bed for focusing, home switches and is fully enclosed so no glasses.

I've also attached a picture of the original control card, notice how every IC has been sanded clean.

Upgrades I made:
Coolant flow switch (wired to the door interlock)
Temperature alarm (wired to the door interlock)
Air assist and improved extractor fan
Replaced the NewlyDraw control card with an L6
Currently using Grbl 1.1e and T2Laser software

[PD0RUZ]

whats the printable area of this version laser 200x300?

[Zax]

I think it's 220 x 180 or something like that.

The laser covers a larger area but you are limited by the Z-bed.

I've done larger jobs by completely removing the Z-bed but then you have to shim the part to focus. It also has a panel in the base you can remove so the laser can be placed on top of an object to engrave it.

[PD0RUZ]

now o found two versions of the 40watt laser .
Option 1: http://www.ebay.nl/itm/CO2-LASER-ENGRAVER-ENGRAVING-MACHINE-40W-HIGH-PRECISE-300X200MM-CUTTER-METAL-/272254826850?hash=item3f63a6f962:g:nsQAAOSwB09YGs7Y Without emg stop end other options.

option 2: http://www.ebay.nl/itm/40W-CO2-USB-Port-Laser-Cutting-Cutter-Engraving-Machine-Engraver-4-wheels-/322390224116?hash=item4b0ff46cf4:g:NI0AAOSwzaJX-Jlq
Rgis one looks better and has more options to use, like the reference switches.

But when i change that to a Mega or Nano GBRL version, just wonder if the powerdisplay, en temp indicator are standalone.. don't think so..
Thinking of buying option 2, what do you think Zax?

[Zax]

If you plan to use it "as is" then I would agree, but if you're set on replacing the controller then it's probably not worth the additional cost.

I can't tell if they have a z-axis, manual bed up/down or some other method to focus.

[PD0RUZ]

i can't tell also, i'll send them an email to check it out...

[PD0RUZ]

update, Both machine do not have a Z-axis for focus..
So either have to build it myself or look for other machines..
@Zax,do you have a z-axis, ? can you make some pics inside you machine please..
Send it with pm please.

Thanks