K40 40W CO2 Laser Cutter
Overview
Generic Chinese "K40" laser cutter bought off eBay. It has been upgraded from the proprietary motherboard/firmware/software to an open source toolchain using a 3D printer Smoothieware compatible motherboard.
Here is the exact item that was bought on eBay:
High Precise 40W Co2 USB Laser Engraving Cutting Machine Engraver 300x200mm | eBay
Software
LaserWeb
TODO add description and possiblly a page for a tutorial
LaserWeb/LaserWeb4: Collaborative effort on the next version of LaserWeb / CNCWeb | GitHub
Inkscape Plugin
Forest Darling wrote an Inkscape plugin that allows SVG files to be exported to G-code that can drive the laser cutter. It uses specially named "layers" in Inkscape to determine how the vectors will be engraved or images will be rastered.
Firmware
We use the standard stable Smoothieware "firmware.bin" available here:
https://github.com/Smoothieware/Smoothieware/tree/edge/FirmwareBin
Instructions on how to flash the firmware:
http://smoothieware.org/getting-smoothie
http://smoothieware.org/flashing-smoothie-firmware
Upgrades
Smoothieboard
Actually an MKS SBASE which is a Smoothieware firmware compatible Smoothieboard clone:
older MKS SBASE V1.1 that was donated and installed in the K40
$60.99 -- KINGPRINT NEW Smoothieware Controller Board MKS SBASE V1.3 32bit Controller Panel Board for 3D Printer
MKS SBASE V1.1/V1.2 documentation by pixel3design-hub on GitHub
MKS SBASE V1.0-??? documentation by makerbase-mks on GitHub
NOTE: post says there is no documentation yet for V1.3, I don't think it's very different from a user standpoint though:
MKS-SBASE v1.3 Schematic · Issue #39 · makerbase-mks/MKS-SBASE | GitHub
Low Voltage Power Supplies
Dedicated power supplies (not piggy-backing off the laser high voltage power supply):
$17.31 -- Delta Electronics PMT-24V50W1AA
$15.45 -- Delta Electronics PMC-05V015W1AA
For wiring the 5V power supply to the Raspberry Pi's Micro-USB port:
$1.95 -- Adafruit Industries LLC 2727
$1.02 -- MPD (Memory Protection Devices) EP502A
Additional Power Outlets
$7.48 -- uxcell 5 Pcs AC 125 15A Power Connector 3 Terminals to US 3 Pin Socket
Air Assist
$21.50 -- 18mm Laser Head w/ Air Assisted. Ideal for K40 Machine
$29.99 -- TEN-HIGH Diam 18mm ZnSe Focal Lens for CO2 Laser Cutting, Focal Length of 2"/50.8mm
$10.50 -- 5X8 Silicon Flex Tube for Air Assistance or Water Cooling(10ft)
$46.61 -- Active Aqua Commercial Air Pump, 8 Outlets, 60W, 70 L/min
Water Pump
The included water pump is noisy and pathetic, and a replacement is very inexpensive:
$23.95 -- EcoPlus 728310 Eco 396 Fixed Flow Submersible/Inline Pump 396 GPH
$3.12 -- Banjo HB050-025 Polypropylene Hose Fitting, Adapter, 1/2" NPT Male x 1/4" Barbed
Ventilation
NOTE: This has not been tested! This is a proposed attachment that allows the use of an in-line pump:
$5.99 -- POWERTEC 70150 Rectangular Dust Hood for 4-Inch Hose
Replacement Parts
Laser Power Supply
$65.54 -- 40W Power Supply for CO2 Laser Tubes Engraver Cutter Machine AC 110V
A higher quality alternative (with a different pinout) from a reputable US seller (still made in China):
$205.00 -- 20W~45W PWM CO2 Laser Power Supply (AC110V) | LightObject