80 W DIY with 400x600 Frame

[lauckstreet]

Hi Marco,

As you know, I'm building an 80 W machine with the 400 x 600 frame. I have a couple of questions I'm sure you can answer for me.

Having already ordered the 400 x 600 frame, you had mentioned in an email that for the 80 W laser, I'd need to make a minor modification to the frame to accommodate the longer 80 W laser. Could you elaborate on that some? For example, any additional or different parts I need to order to hold the laser, any drawings on how the modification is made, anything else you can tell me would help.

Also, I was wondering about air assist on the lens. Is that included in the items you listed for me on a wishlist or is there something additional I will need to purchase?

I'm probably going to go with the CW5000 water chiller. What kind of tubing will I need to hook that up to the laser? The silicon tubing? I assume the chiller has its own power supply, but are there any other parts I'll need to hook that up? I was also wondering how a temperature probe/gauge could be incorporated into the main control panel so that temps could be easily monitored from the control panel.

On the man laser cutters/engravers I've seen on eBay, they all have a blower with some large air ducts to remove smoke from the unit while it is cutting. Will I also need that and if so, how is that mounted to the frame?

I've seen a few builds in the forum but I haven't found any questions or comments regarding the skins used to cover the frame. I was wondering what people are using to cover their frames, i.e. acrylic, plywood, metal, etc. Is the cutting area of the 400 x 600 frame large enough to cut skin parts to cover the frame? Any comments or suggestions or website where such items can be purchased?

The subject of skins also brings up another point, the mounting of the DSP controller and stepper controller and any other electronics associated with the main control panel. Are there any photos or drawings that show examples for the mounting of all of this hardware? Are there any cutting files that could be used to cut out the panels for mounting these things. That would include the power supply for the controller as well as the power supply for the laser. Looking at already built machines, there seems to be a number of compartments, most with doors to give access to the different internal components, are there any examples, drawings, photos, cutting files for all of these things in the forum?

I'm very familiar and experienced with CNC milling but this laser cutting is all new to me so I may have additional questions as I build the machine in the near future.

Thanks,

Bob Hunt

[Tech_Marco]

Thank you Bob. Your order has been shipped!

Marco