K40 40W CO2 Laser Cutter

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 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

TODO

Upgrades

Smoothieware

TODO: provide link to MKS SBASE Smoothieboard clone.

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