Beginning 80w 900x600 Laser Build...

[WickedAndy]

Hello, my first post here... I'm about ready to make the leap and begin my laser build, I have spent a while doing research, and think it's time to spend some $$$ but before
I begin I would like to outline my plan here and see if the collective knowledge here can see if I'm on the right track, or offer any advice, as I still have a few questions..

To start, I'm looking to build an 80w 900x600 laser, it's a bit larger than I planned but it gives me room to expand, I am mostly going to be doing acrylic and plywood cutting
with the occasional engraving here and there. It's not really a planned as a production machine, but just another tool to add to my shop, and a fun build!

Diving right in, here is my current parts list..
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/pub ... utput=html

I'm looking to try and stay around a $4000 budget.

So onto my questions...

1. I'm planning on starting my assembly in about a month's time, as I am away on work till then, but would like to start ordering parts so when I am back it's full on build time.
Would like to know what items I should order now that might have a longer lead time to ship, frame, laser tube, etc? I was hoping to order the larger mechanics first
the x-y stage, the frame, laser tube perhaps?

2. Laser frame size? after searching I did find the measurements for the 900x600 x-y stage, but I can't find any measurements for the frame.. what is the width/height/depth of
the complete frame/chassis assembly?

3. Is the new beam combiner mount available w/red laser? and is there any issue with the 900x600 frame to fit the following. "LASER --> Combiner --> Expander --> 1st Mirror"?

4. Lens focal length? since I think I'll be doing more cutting then engraving, would the 63.5mm lens be a decent middle ground choice?

5. 2x expander I have listed in my BOM, just want to make sure it's the correct one for the 80w beam diameter and having a 20mm focus lens.

6. DSP, while researching all I could on the AWC608, I found what appears to be a newer version the AWC608C that has a nice color lcd display, Is there any plan to carry that
version of the controller at lightobjects? has anyone here used it yet? seems like a nice update, but can never be so sure with so many knock off's out there...

Figure there will be a lot of learn as I go, already planning on converting an old portable AC unit into a chiller if needed... sure there will be plenty of design mods along
the way.. Well that's about it for now, I'm sure I'll have many more questions once I begin the build, look forward to documenting the progress here, and add to the
knowledge pool in the future.

Thanks again!

-andy

[Tech_Marco]

Hey Andy:

Welcome to Lightobject forum!

I reviewed your order list and you're very closed to get most parts for a completed DIY laser. Unfortunately, the XY state (900x60) sold out from CA warehouse. We have to ship it from China and it cost about $150 more to cover the DHL/UPS cost. It is good that you start the XY stage building and get familiar with the mechanical vs. DSP controlling.
Regarding your questions:

1) Frames are on the way by ocean shipment. It should arrive my shop on Feb 20. We have 30 sets: 10x 640, 10x 960, 10x 12900. Plus, we have 10x Reci 80W and 10x SP 100W laser tubes coming as well

2) Our frame size is designed based on the XY stage we carry. But it is flexible to change as it is fully adjustable. I'll post more information about the dimension

3) The beam combiner will arrive on coming Monday. Our frame are capable to make accommodate for different size laser tube as there is a stand out cage available to add for longer tube. It make room for adding the laser pointer and/or beam combiner.

4)63.5mm is great for 4~6mm thickness cutting with a Reci 80W tube. You may get as fast 12mm/s or around

5) You may want to use "1.5X" instead as the default size mount and laser head would allow up to 14mm beam diameter. Reci 80W may have 7~8mm beam size the beam after the 1.5x is 12mm or closed. If you use 2.0x, it would be out of bounds.

6) The AWC608C is color LCD but I don't see any advantage to use it. First of all, the image on the LCD is not "dynamic" so it won't show you the progress in real time beside showing the image. Second, it cost more. Third, 3" LCD for showing the image is really.... nothing. It is just point of my view. I want to focus a DSP card that I know it well and stable. To carry the AWC608C, there is another big impact to the tech support. In most case, I think most folks care about the LaserCad rather than the LCD screen. Plus, stable and easy to use is important 'fancy'. But if you want one, I can get it for you. Honest speaking, I don't have too much support on the card as I don't have experience of using it beside of touching the button a couple times.

FYI, I may get the 7" touchscreen DSP a few months later. I think it is more practical and worth to the upgrade than the AWC608C. But I won't jump into the wagon before the card is getting mature. My job is to ensure that you guys are getting a 'ready to use', solid, and easy to use controller.

Regards,
Marco

[WickedAndy]

Thanks for the Reply Marco, looking forward to getting this build started!

I reviewed your order list and you're very closed to get most parts for a completed DIY laser. Unfortunately, the XY state (900x60) sold out from CA warehouse. We have to ship it from China and it cost about $150 more to cover the DHL/UPS cost. It is good that you start the XY stage building and get familiar with the mechanical vs. DSP controlling.

Good to know I'll PM you to discuss the details and logistics of the order.

1) Frames are on the way by ocean shipment. It should arrive my shop on Feb 20. We have 30 sets: 10x 640, 10x 960, 10x 12900. Plus, we have 10x Reci 80W and 10x SP 100W laser tubes coming as well

The timing is perfect on that, as that's around when I plan to being back to start my build.

2) Our frame size is designed based on the XY stage we carry. But it is flexible to change as it is fully adjustable. I'll post more information about the dimension

Great, just need to be sure I have proper room where I'm going to put it.

5) You may want to use "1.5X" instead as the default size mount and laser head would allow up to 14mm beam diameter. Reci 80W may have 7~8mm beam size the beam after the 1.5x is 12mm or closed. If you use 2.0x, it would be out of bounds.

Good to know, I will change to the 1.5X then, is there also a separate holder for the expander as well?

6) The AWC608C is color LCD but I don't see any advantage to use it. First of all, the image on the LCD is not "dynamic" so it won't show you the progress in real time beside showing the image. Second, it cost more. Third, 3" LCD for showing the image is really.... nothing. It is just point of my view. I want to focus a DSP card that I know it well and stable. To carry the AWC608C, there is another big impact to the tech support. In most case, I think most folks care about the LaserCad rather than the LCD screen. Plus, stable and easy to use is important 'fancy'. But if you want one, I can get it for you. Honest speaking, I don't have too much support on the card as I don't have experience of using it beside of touching the button a couple times.

Thanks for the info, I pretty much was thinking the same thing comparing specs I didn't really see any advantage for the AWC608C other than the
lcd screen, which is not really that helpful, I think I'll stick with the AWC608...

FYI, I may get the 7" touchscreen DSP a few months later. I think it is more practical and worth to the upgrade than the AWC608C. But I won't jump into the wagon before the card is getting mature. My job is to ensure that you guys are getting a 'ready to use', solid, and easy to use controller.

Look forward to hearing more about it.

[Tech_Marco]

Update: I found two 900x600 XY stage in the warehouse. Just update the website quantity.
Beam combiner with laser pointer built-in will arrive on coming Monday.

For the beam expander, there is no mount included. It is made of aluminum cylinder with two lens built-in. What you can do is to use your built laser to make a few cuts on acrylic and make your own mounting kit. It is fun to use your machine to make parts "value added" to the machine you built.


Marco