New product suggestion

[AndyKunz]

I was down at the hardware store picking up some items for my build, and found a few products that would make good additions to the LightObjects lineup.

1) Crimp-on connectors for attaching to the limit switches.
2) A "refrigerator switch" and mounting bracket. Perfect as a safety interlock for the door. The mounting bracket would make it complete as a unit; you can't sell just the switch!
3) 18AWG (1.02mm) wire with silicone insulation and high strand count for flexibility to run the motors.
4) Snakes for routing cables and hoses.
5) Cable organizer/clamps - like this: http://www.cableorganizer.com/adhesive-cord-clip/
or like this: http://www.ebay.com/itm/100pk-DIY-Self- ... 2281&rt=nc

What would really help is a "completion kit" that included items of this sort, along with suggested locations for the electronics in the shelf. Not that anybody would follow them ...

Andy

[Tech_Marco]

Hello Andy:

I have been looking more parts and some already ordered or arrived.
See my questions and answer below:


1) Crimp-on connectors for attaching to the limit switches.
Q: Is it for wire connection so no soldering iron need? If so, there is some coming but not sure if fit the poles perfectly as there are tons to select from

2) A "refrigerator switch" and mounting bracket. Perfect as a safety interlock for the door. The mounting bracket would make it complete as a unit; you can't sell just the switch!
Q: You mean a momentary button, normally open? When closed, it enabled door opened protection

3) 18AWG (1.02mm) wire with silicone insulation and high strand count for flexibility to run the motors.
Ans: Searching for quality/color code wires for the motor. Should be available in 2 weeks

4) Snakes for routing cables and hoses.
Ans: I already have 10x10 and 10x20 cable carriers in stock. Will post it very soon

5) Cable organizer/clamps - like this: http://www.cableorganizer.com/adhesive-cord-clip/
or like this: http://www.ebay.com/itm/100pk-DIY-Self- ... 2281&rt=nc
Ans: Yes, I have those in stock for years but never post it for sale


Marco

[AndyKunz]

Hello Andy:

I have been looking more parts and some already ordered or arrived.
See my questions and answer below:


1) Crimp-on connectors for attaching to the limit switches.
Q: Is it for wire connection so no soldering iron need? If so, there is some coming but not sure if fit the poles perfectly as there are tons to select from
There are several sizes, yes. You only need to stock those which fit the items you sell, or perhaps the ones included with the XY. Since they are so cheap, they could be added to the kit with the limit switches

2) A "refrigerator switch" and mounting bracket. Perfect as a safety interlock for the door. The mounting bracket would make it complete as a unit; you can't sell just the switch!
Q: You mean a momentary button, normally open? When closed, it enabled door opened protection
Yes, but the form is important. The ones I think are best for this operation would be like this because of the wipe-to-close instead of press-to-close:
GOOD: http://www.ebay.com/itm/Refrigerator-Li ... 3f3ec473f1
BAD: http://www.ebay.com/itm/Whirlpool-Mayta ... 540779121f

3) 18AWG (1.02mm) wire with silicone insulation and high strand count for flexibility to run the motors.
Ans: Searching for quality/color code wires for the motor. Should be available in 2 weeks
Perhaps better: Extend the wires on the motors 1m.

4) Snakes for routing cables and hoses.
Ans: I already have 10x10 and 10x20 cable carriers in stock. Will post it very soon

5) Cable organizer/clamps - like this: http://www.cableorganizer.com/adhesive-cord-clip/
or like this: http://www.ebay.com/itm/100pk-DIY-Self- ... 2281&rt=nc
Ans: Yes, I have those in stock for years but never post it for sale

Marco

[Tech_Marco]

1) Yes, crimp connector is really cheap. Good point for my next purchase.
2) I'll get magnetic (untouched) instead. It is easy to install and very reliable.
3) No way I can extend the wire. It is an OEM. It is the same manufacturer who make motor OEM for Leeshine motor.
I may get "pin" type crimp type connector for the motor. If not, I'll get other kind of connector so that it is easy to detached.

There are so many products I want to import but LO reserves ($) are low


Marco

[Tech_Marco]

See the cable carrier

FYI,I have order 300 laser tubes for next ocean shipment. Should be here in two months
That include SP series 35W, 40W, 45W, 60W, 80W and Reci 80W, 100W, and 130W

I'll also import some extrusion aluminum bar that allow to cut in any size.

A new style water chiller developed by LO team should be included 8~10 units in the shipment. Its cooling power is 1800W and it is better than CW5200 with large LCD control screen. Currently we're working on the casing.

A 1800x1800 custom made XY stage also included in the same shipment. Let me know if anyone interested.


Marco

[AndyKunz]

See the cable carrier

I'm getting another order ready. Please e-mail info on 20mm carrier part number and price.

I'll also import some extrusion aluminum bar that allow to cut in any size.

That reminds me. My frame included about 8 pieces with labels "COVER" and "DOOR" but they do not fit anything else in the frame kit. Do you have PDF showing intended purpose? I plan to use for mounting heat sinks.

A new style water chiller developed by LO team should be included 8~10 units in the shipment. Its cooling power is 1800W and it is better than CW5200 with large LCD control screen. Currently we're working on the casing.

I'm interested in more information but I won't be ordering that for a while.

Andy

[NickWL]

If you have access to a 3D printer then places like Thingiverse have loads of designs for cable carriers. I've printed several of these and they are really easy to customise (by selecting) for each application.
The 'door closed' switch I bought from a local electronics high-street hobby shop was for a burglar alarm kit (door or window). They sold all kinds of switches to fit cupboards, doors, stairs and what-not. Also very cheap.
Spade terminals (for the limit switches) can be had at any garage or electrical parts shop - I found the ones I wanted in the local tool shop.

I'm surprised that anyone involved with self-building laser equipment hasn't got most of these just lying around the workshop!
Nick

[AndyKunz]

I'm surprised that anyone involved with self-building laser equipment hasn't got most of these just lying around the workshop!

That's what I find so cool about this build!

I'm meeting all kinds of people, from professional modelers who are building this as a tool for their business (and probably wouldn't have those items), to people like myself who are high-end model hobbyists building themselves a tool (who have some of this stuff), to guys for whom the construction of the laser is their hobby (who can almost build it from leftovers in the garage). Because of my previous self-employment as an electronics consultant I was fortunate to have a lot of extra stuff around the shop already, but I've been identifying items that were not part of the kit which could be useful to others such as myself or like Bob.

Andy

[Tech_Marco]

Hey Andy:

Here is the link for two different size cable carrier:
http://www.lightobject.com/Search.aspx? ... %20carrier

Picture didn't show the two end connectors but it is included


Thanks
Marco

[AndyKunz]

Hi Marco,

The order arrived today with the cable guide in it. This allowed me to finish testing and do some wiring, sufficient to actually test the XY movement.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=p ... uOLY4z2xE0

https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=p ... GEwDbc9uG4

At the end of the first video the buttons move opposite what I expected. I assume this is a configuration change in the controller. Other than that I was quite happy with tonight's results.

Thanks publicly for your speedy behind-the-scenes help and order processing! My build thread now has over 6400 hits! Definitely a popular item with well over 100/day reading it. http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2243133

Andy