K40 40W CO2 Laser Cutter: Difference between revisions

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[[File:K40_Laser_Cutter_Stock_Photo.jpg|thumb|Generic "K40" laser cutter stock photo]]
[[File:K40_Laser_Cutter_Stock_Photo.jpg|thumb|Generic "K40" laser cutter stock photo]]
== 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.
== Software ==
=== LaserWeb ===
TODO
=== 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 ==
TODO


== Upgrades ==
== Upgrades ==


reputable brand name 24V 2.1A 50W power supply:<br/>
=== Smoothieware ===
[https://www.digikey.com/product-detail/en/delta-electronics/PMT-24V50W1AA/1145-1079-ND/4386550 $17.70 -- DigiKey -- Delta Electronics PMT-24V50W1AA]
 
[https://www.digikey.com/product-detail/en/delta-electronics/PMT-24V50W1AA/1145-1079-ND/4386550 $17.31 -- DigiKey -- Delta Electronics PMT-24V50W1AA]
 
TODO: provide link to MKS SBASE Smoothieboard clone.
 
=== Air Assist ===
 
[[File:LightObject_18mm_Air_Assist_Head_for_K40_Stock_Photo.jpg|64x64px]] [http://a.co/ipZz3WZ $21.50 -- 18mm Laser Head w/ Air Assisted. Ideal for K40 Machine]
 
[[File:TEN-HIGH_18mm_Diameter_2-inch_Focal_Length_ZnSe_CO2_Laser_Focal_Lens_Stock_Photo.jpg|64x64px]] [http://a.co/iUxJEBW $29.99 -- TEN-HIGH Diam 18mm ZnSe Focal Lens for CO2 Laser Cutting, Focal Length of 2"/50.8mm]


LightObject air assist head for the K40:<br/>
[[File:LightObject_5mm_ID_8mm_OD_Silicon_Flex_Tube_Stock_Photo.jpg|64x64px]] [http://a.co/3kJXVo2 $10.50 -- 5X8 Silicon Flex Tube for Air Assistance or Water Cooling(10ft)]
[http://a.co/ipZz3WZ $22.00 -- 18mm Laser Head w/ Air Assisted. Ideal for K40 Machine]


18mm diameter 2.0" focal length ZnSe CO2 laser lens, needed for the LightObject air assist head:<br/>
[[File:Amazon_Active_Aqua_Commercial_Air_Pump_60W_Stock_Photo.jpg|64x64px]] [http://a.co/600F8aY $46.61 -- Active Aqua Commercial Air Pump, 8 Outlets, 60W, 70 L/min]
[http://a.co/iUxJEBW $29.45 -- TEH-HIGH Diam 18mm Focal Lens for CO2 Laser Cutting,FL:1.5" 2" 2.5" 3" 4" 5" 7.5"(2"/50.8mm) (1.5"/38.1mm) (2"/50.8mm)]


5mm ID flexible tubing to connect the air assist head to the air pump:<br/>
=== Water Pump ===
[http://a.co/3kJXVo2 $9.50 -- 5X8 Silicon Flex Tube for Air Assistance or Water Cooling(10ft)]


diaphragm air pump:<br/>
The included water pump is noisy and pathetic, and a replacement is very inexpensive:
[http://a.co/600F8aY $52.95 -- Active Aqua Commercial Air Pump, 8 Outlets, 60W, 70 L/min]


this 158 GPH submersible water pump is the exact one we're using:<br/>
[[File:EcoPlus_ECO-396_Stock_Photo.jpg|64x64px]] [https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0018X2XT4/ $23.95 -- EcoPlus 728310 Eco 396 Fixed Flow Submersible/Inline Pump 396 GPH]
[http://a.co/aQHA0G8 $18.52 -- EcoPlus 185 Fixed Flow Submersible/Inline Pump 158 GPH - 728300]


I might go a size up though to be on the safe side, I feel like ours has on occasion lost it's siphon and not been able to push the water through the system to reestablish it, so maybe get the next size up from the same brand:<br/>
[[File:Banjo_HB050-025_Stock_Photo.jpg|64x64px]] [https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00AB5X28G/ $3.12 -- Banjo HB050-025 Polypropylene Hose Fitting, Adapter, 1/2" NPT Male x 1/4" Barbed]
[http://a.co/hSycQ6Q $23.00 -- EcoPlus 728310 Eco 396 Fixed Flow Submersible/Inline Pump 396 GPH]


An adapter from the water pump's female port to a male barb to attach the hose:<br/>
=== Ventilation ===
[https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00AB5X28G/ Banjo HB050-025 $3.12 -- Polypropylene Hose Fitting, Adapter, 1/2" NPT Male x 1/4" Barbed]


(future enhancement) air vent adapter:<br/>
NOTE: This has not been tested! This is a proposed attachment that allows the use of an in-line pump:<br/>
[https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00M3JFNOO/ $5.99 -- POWERTEC 70150 Rectangular Dust Hood for 4-Inch Hose]
[https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00M3JFNOO/ $5.99 -- POWERTEC 70150 Rectangular Dust Hood for 4-Inch Hose]

Revision as of 07:43, 6 June 2018

Generic "K40" laser cutter stock photo

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.

Software

LaserWeb

TODO

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

TODO

Upgrades

Smoothieware

$17.31 -- DigiKey -- Delta Electronics PMT-24V50W1AA

TODO: provide link to MKS SBASE Smoothieboard clone.

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

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