XLE 900 with Kit?

[jofinneg]

Hi there,

Are there plans to make a complete diy kit for the XLE 900?
In about three months I'll be ready to take the plunge (I make laser cut wooden kid's clocks here: www.LeLuni.com).
I'm looking at the lasersaur currently, but the XLE looks to be a more solid piece of hardware to build off of.

XLE 900*1200 X-Y Stages complete kit for DIY CO2 Laser
http://www.lightobject.com/XLE-9001200- ... -P737.aspx

Thanks,
John

[Tech_Marco]

Hello John:

The kit comes what you need to build a laser machine. What you need is a 'table' to support the XY stages and the laser tube. The kit comes with laser tube mounts and mirror mounts. It's very easy to do alignment as one of the mirror mount and laser head already been setup properly on the extrusion aluminium bar. The only setup that need to do is the laser tube and one of the mirror mount.

What else you may need to complete the project and the estimated cost?
- DSP controller $450
- Laser power supply : $395 (100W~180w)
- Laser tube 100W ($800)
- DC 24V 15A or DC36v/24v power supply: $50
- Two stepping motor driver (5.6A or above): $60x2
- 3x Si or MO lens, one ZnSe focus lens: $160
- A current meter: $13
- Water pump, fan, air assist: $150
- Table

The total of extras parts is running about $1400

So, for less than $3,000, you get one of the best machine that could easily cost over $6,000 when buying from China (In USA, it cost over $10,000). At least, you can save $800 on S/H when dealing with a complete built machine that shipped from China through ocean ($1300~1400). Plus, the quality is in doubt and no guarantee. But for ours machine and parts, as I put my reputation on it, you can trust me that you will get what you paid for. The XY stages comes with 5 years warranty, from as small as the little wheel to the big torque 57 motors, all cover. Of course, we don't cover physical damage, cosmetic, natural disaster,...


Marco

[jofinneg]

Thank you very much, Marco.
I'm closely watching a thread on buildlog that will be using this xy setup: http://www.buildlog.net/forum/viewtopic.php?f=16&t=1506
I'm sure I'll have many questions for you soon.

Thanks,
John
www.LeLuni.com

[jofinneg]

Hi Marco,

Quick question:

What would be the comparative advantages vs disadvantages to purchasing the Pro

http://www.lightobject.com/Pro-9001200- ... -P708.aspx

versus the XLE? Is it a more robust frame?

I'm trying to gather as much info as possible to make a purchase before the end of the year.

Thanks,
John
http://www.LeLuni.com

[Tech_Marco]

Pro 900x1200:
Pro:
- linear guide rail
- Ideal for cutting
- standard extrusion aluminium
- less price
- laer head and mirror mounts not included.
- X slide/gantry lighter weight

Cons:
- linear guide has more friction
- more expensive to replace the guide ($150/ft)
- harder to install or to cut the linear guide.
- without 2:1 reduction gear, backlash may occur at very high speed engraving


XLE 900x120:
Pro:
- 5 years warranty
- "Y" wheel guide, less friction
- Lower maintance cost and easy to replace parts
- ideal for engraving & cutting
- 2:1 reduction gear installed for both X & Y
- customized extrusion aluminium. Dyed and precise cut
- Mounts, laser head, tube mount included
- Mount screw holes drilled
- Higher torque motor used on X

Cons:
- price higher
- harder to adjust the wheels on the gantry
- laser head and mounts holes fixed
- X slide is heavier (with gear box installed)


Personally speaking, I'd the XLE model as it comes with laser head and mirrors mounts and holes are ready for the installation. It save a great amount of time doing 'measurement' and alignement for the mirros. It's very important to have good alignment for the laser beam travelling.
I tested the XLE and I love it. Overall price isn't bad as it included extra parts than the Pro version. Plus, 5 years warranty offered by me!

Marco

[jofinneg]

Very nice summary - thanks very much!

John

[Guldberg]

What about sparepart for the XLE 900. Is it possible to buy extra wheels? Seems like the only wearpart not standard.

[Tech_Marco]

What about spare part for the XLE 900. Is it possible to buy extra wheels? Seems like the only wearpart not standard.

Yes. The metal wheel that used on the slider is running about $3 each with ball bearing. The metal pulley wheel for the stepping motor is $5 each. Technically speaking, I can get any parts in case it wore out. And if it's wear-out in 5 years, I will send part for replacement, from wheels to the motor.

FYI,I do carry 2:1 reduction gear (not designed for the XLE stages) for X and Y. I'll post it very soon. Plus, I will get the stepper will with 'blue dyed' color for 57 series (NEMA 23) motor in 8.0mm and 6.35mm. Wheel for 42 series (Nema 17) motor with 5mm hold diameter is available in about 2 weeks.

Marco

[jofinneg]

Hi Marco,

I'm going to start CADing out a table and cage for the XLE 900 so I can price out the project.
Do you have any technical sketches of the XLE with dimensions that I can use for modelling?

Thanks,
John

[Tech_Marco]

I can get you overall size only. I did that on my chalk board only while I was in China.

Marco

[jofinneg]

I can get you overall size only. I did that on my chalk board only while I was in China.

Marco

Thanks, PM sent.

John

[Things]

Hi John,

I have one of the XLE 1200x900 stages from Marco and he knows how much I love it! I posted a bit of a review on this forum a couple of months ago. I would draw up a model of i in solidworks for you but it's on a truck heading to my new house at the moment. Highly recommend them.

Dan

[oeginc]

Hello John:

The kit comes what you need to build a laser machine. What you need is a 'table' to support the XY stages and the laser tube. The kit comes with laser tube mounts and mirror mounts. It's very easy to do alignment as one of the mirror mount and laser head already been setup properly on the extrusion aluminium bar. The only setup that need to do is the laser tube and one of the mirror mount.

What else you may need to complete the project and the estimated cost?
- DSP controller $450
- Laser power supply : $395 (100W~180w)
- Laser tube 100W ($800)
- DC 24V 15A or DC36v/24v power supply: $50
- Two stepping motor driver (5.6A or above): $60x2
- 3x Si or MO lens, one ZnSe focus lens: $160
- A current meter: $13
- Water pump, fan, air assist: $150
- Table

The total of extras parts is running about $1400

So, for less than $3,000, you get one of the best machine that could easily cost over $6,000 when buying from China (In USA, it cost over $10,000). At least, you can save $800 on S/H when dealing with a complete built machine that shipped from China through ocean ($1300~1400). Plus, the quality is in doubt and no guarantee. But for ours machine and parts, as I put my reputation on it, you can trust me that you will get what you paid for. The XY stages comes with 5 years warranty, from as small as the little wheel to the big torque 57 motors, all cover. Of course, we don't cover physical damage, cosmetic, natural disaster,...


Marco

Is this really all that's needed? Any chance on getting a link to the parts on your website? Or even better, a link to a shopping cart full of the parts needed? It would be cool if you could build a configurator interface so customers could just pick what they want and then you calculate out what is needed and throw it all into a shopping cart for us.

I've got a few grand I've been saving to buy a chinese laser cutter, but after reading this - perhaps I'll build it myself, although I'd like to get a nice case for it...

I started jotting down some drawings on napkins, but I've never built a laser cutter before, so I'm not really sure what to look (out) for. I did have a question though, I think I'd like to start with a tiny laser tube (40w?) and then upgrade to a much larger one (150-180w) once I get things working. Can I just buy the larger laser power supply now and use it for the small laser as well, or do I have to buy a small PS for the small tube, and a larger one for the large tube?

Does anyone have Solidworks drawings for one of these yet?

[Tech_Marco]

The items list I posted is pretty much good enough to get you a complete set of DIY kit. As you can tell, there are so many different items to select from to make a laser machine. It's really hard to tell exactly one would like the most. I can only tell what item you need in general. So, base on the power rating or the budget , you pick item you want.

You may use 60W PS for a 40W/50W laser tube or a 80W PS for a 60W tube. But I don't suggest to use a 100W PS to power a 40W or 60W laser tube. It will affect the life span of the tube significant.


Marco