I know there are a few people out there interested in lasers and their shopbots. This is just some info on my particular project.
I have a older Gantry Shopbot that I recently upgraded to an RBK box and spindle. Love the machine but wanted to update it. It already had dual Z's on the Y Carriage.
I ordered a 3.8w Laser kit from Jtech and mounted the laser on the Second Z (My B Axis). Used our 3D printer to make a small holder box for it along with a cooling fan above it.
Yes, I know all the bad things said about lasers and CNC routers. I've been hearing I'll put an eye out since I was old enough to run with Scissors. As with all things, proceed at your own risk. You are your own best safety.
As far as running my shopbot I know about 3% as much as most of the guys on this forum. I basically use it to do cut outs for my wifes Paint studio. Have done a couple simple Vcarvings but thats even new to me.
With the Laser properly focused I am running it at .9ips and getting good markings. I am still working on upping the speed to see when it drops off. The focus was way off when I got the laser and that gave me some issues. Easy enough process to fix though.
Still working on getting the post figured out so that I can auto move the Laser to correct focus range for whatever material thickness I am using. Getting close on that. For now I just set it before I start but all the ingredients are in place to get it done.
I am using output 2 to turn the laser on/off which is working very well, no issues.
Anyway, few photos attached showing the mounting and the type of cutouts we normally do. I just wanted a neat way to put our Logo info on the cutouts. I know when I was considering the laser I was on the forums looking for anything I could find which wasn't a lot.
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