1200*1800 XY stages. Huge!

[Tech_Marco]

I just set up a 1200*1800 XY stages and didn't realize that it's so big after the kit has been set up!
The overall dimension is 89.5" x 57" x 7". See attached image. Note that I put a pair of sunglass for ref. Also, pay attention to the 150W CO2 laser power supplies underneath it. So, you know how big of the stage now?

Once it is ready, I'll setup a complete CO2 system performing a bunch of testing. One thing that I'm anxious to do is to find out whether a Reci 130W tube is powerful enough to cut 1mm stainless steel or 2mm aluminum plate. The issue is that where can I get a bottle of pure "O2"? I need it for helping the CO2 laser beam to cut


Marco

[Anodiser]

Once it is ready, I'll setup a complete CO2 system for testing purpose. One thing that I'm anxious to do is to test if a Reci 130W tube can cut stainless steel or aluminum cutting or not. The issue is where can I get a bottle of pure "O2"?


Marco

you can use a fire extinguisher for co2

[Tech_Marco]

But I need pure oxygen (O2), not CO2

Do I need a permit to get a bottle of pure oxygen? Anyone know?


Marco

[Anodiser]

But I need pure oxygen (O2), not CO2

Do I need a permit to get a bottle of pure oxygen? Anyone know?


Marco

misread... any welding suply company will supply pure oxygen

[Things]

Yep, oxygen is used for oxy welding, so should be very easy to get

Those are some huge stages Marco! I hope one day when I can afford my own house I'll be able to have huge machines like that!

[pjeran]

I thought my 1200x900 was big!

I would be very careful using O2 while cutting. All you need is a spark and you will have quite a bit of a fire show going on. I am in the process of getting a fire extinguisher for my build. Looks like a halon replacement is the way to go, that way you don't trash your optics and electronics when putting out the fire.

I look forward to see the build of that monster!

Paul

[Anodiser]

now i am confused, as a beginner in all things laser, my impression was the wavelength of the laser was the important factor on what it could cut or engrave. the beam needs to be absorbed by the product. everything ive read suggests that metals like ali and stainless reflect co2 lasers so cannot be cut or engraved. could someone please enlighten me

[TeacDance]

hi Marco whether the table with mirrors? or only clips

I just set up a 1200*1800 XY stages and didn't realize that it's so big after the kit has been set up!
The overall dimension is 89.5" x 57" x 7". See attached image. Note that I put a pair of sunglass for ref. Also, pay attention to the 150W CO2 laser power supplies underneath it. So, you know how big of the stage now?

Once it is ready, I'll setup a complete CO2 system performing a bunch of testing. One thing that I'm anxious to do is to find out whether a Reci 130W tube is powerful enough to cut 1mm stainless steel or 2mm aluminum plate. The issue is that where can I get a bottle of pure "O2"? I need it for helping the CO2 laser beam to cut


Marco

[TeacDance]

Once it is ready, I'll setup a complete CO2 system for testing purpose. One thing that I'm anxious to do is to test if a Reci 130W tube can cut stainless steel or aluminum cutting or not. The issue is where can I get a bottle of pure "O2"?


Marco

you can use a fire extinguisher for co2

maybe you can use bottle like this

[Tech_Marco]

But first thing I got to do is to find a support table for the stage. It's just too big to be hold by two of fold table.
I may need to to get some 4x8 wood block from HomeDepot to make custom one for my need. Can't wait to see it in action


Marco

[drandolph]

I just got mine assembled tonight and I was surprised on how put together it already comes and everything included in the kit. It took me less than an hour to get it assembled, now all I have to do is wire it all up and build my frame. I'm going to weld a frame out of 1"x1" square tubing with a platform for mounting the tube and mirror on the back. I should have it all done by the end of the weekend and I'll post pictures when it's done. I also have some 3d designs to help with cable management. I designed a cable chain that bolts on the Y-Motor and has room for the air assist tube, motor, limit switches, auto-focus and laser pointer. I'm currently making a mounting solution for the x-axis. Once if finish those I'll be posting the designs on thingiverse for people to grab.

I wouldn't suggest replacing the air assist with pure oxygen. Think about it, that O2 is inside the nozzle right on the lens so basically you would be making a flame ball right on the lens. I would think a separate metal nozzle pointed at the work piece if you want to try. You can get any size and any amount of pure O2 from a place called airgas they have tons of locations everywhere so it's easy. You can save money by going to harbor freight and getting a regulator and hoses and even a nozzle.

[drandolph]

Also it would save me a ton of time and math if you happen to have the settings for the DSP controller.

[wctx1977]

Hi all!
Does anyone have one of this stages completed with the tube and optics installed? I'm interested in knowing what is the best way the fix the tube and the optics. Also what set of optics, size of tube and head would be ideal for a table this large. Any pictures o info would be highly appreciated as I'm considering on building one in the future.

Thanks!

Edgar

[drandolph]

Here is a quick video update on where I'm at tonight with my build. http://t.co/wNMYETd3

As for your questions wctx1977....

The kit comes with mounts for a tube and the optics. If you go thru the pictures on the product page you can see them.
If you wanted to you could literally screw the mounts, optics and the gantry to a sheet of plywood and it would work. That's one reason why I got this kit, it saves me a lot of hardware hunting around time.

The kit doesn't include optics and there can be a whole discussion on why buy one type of mirror over another and what focus distance, etc.... I'm starting mine with some cheap ones to get it all set up and then I'll make decisions from there.
So picking optics to get started you would need 3 mirrors and one lens. The mirrors should be 25mm sizes and the lens should be 20mm with F50.8 to go which all the hardware included and yes the head is included.

As for the tube well that's up to what you plan on cutting and how fast you want to cut. I have a 40w and a 60w in my house and this build will have a 100w tube. Personally I think going any smaller than 80w would be a waste on a machine this size but it technically could run on a 40w or a 150w tube. If you plan on cutting 1/4 wood or acrylic and don't mind going slow at around 8mm a second you could use a 80w tube. I personally hope to get up to about 15mm a second with my 100w on the same material.

The gantry came with all the belts, pulleys, motors, optic mounts and tube mounts, laser head, limit switches, hardware and tools to assemble. The laser head in the kit came with an air assist with a 6mm push to connect fitting.

So my shopping list (not including my fancy box)
The x-y gantry
100w tube
100w laser power supply
24v 15amp power supply
DSP controller
2 stepper drivers
3 25mm mirrors
1 20mm lens
(I already own a spare water chiller) or you could also use a water pump and 5 gallon bucket
8mm water tubing
Plenty of wire

extras
8" inline exhaust fan for fumes
8" hosing
air pump for air assist
6mm air tubing
Cable Chain (to keep it pretty)
Extruded Honeycomb sheet (for clean backsides to my cuts)

[wctx1977]

hi drandolph,

Thank you very much for the video and very helpful information. The video really helps me to better understand the concept "huge" when it comes to this gantry and that makes me realize that this particular model would be too much to handle for me and I won't be able to take full advantage of its capacity. May be I should look at the XLE 600*900 instead. That will probably do most of what I want to do with it.
Thank you very much once again.