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Difference between revisions of "Big red laser cutter"
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Update water leak issue, move to new section Resolved Issues
(→Cleaning: Update instructions, put images in gallery) |
(Update water leak issue, move to new section Resolved Issues) |
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UPDATE: May 12, 2026 | |||
'''WORKING!''' -- [[#Water Leak|Water leak has been repaired, laser is operational]] | |||
== General Info == | == General Info == | ||
=== Introduction === | === Introduction === | ||
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=== Maintenance === | === Maintenance === | ||
''To be performed '''monthly''''' | ''To be performed '''monthly''''' | ||
* Clean | * Clean [[#Lens & Mirrors|lens & mirrors]] | ||
* Clean | As needed | ||
* Clean [[#Exhaust Fan|exhaust fan]] | |||
* Clean cutaway collection area under bed | |||
=== Dangers === | === Dangers === | ||
[[File: | [[File:ISO 7010 W001.svg|frameless|right|upright=0.5]] | ||
''Be aware:'' lasers are very dangerous! Review these [https://ehs.mit.edu/workplace-safety-program/laser-cutter-safety/ safety guidelines], and carry an appropriate level of fear of the laser at all times. Hazards include: | ''Be aware:'' lasers are very dangerous! Review these [https://ehs.mit.edu/workplace-safety-program/laser-cutter-safety/ safety guidelines], and carry an appropriate level of fear of the laser at all times. Hazards include: | ||
'''Fire hazard''' | '''Fire hazard''' | ||
[[File:ISO 7010 W021.svg|frameless|right|upright=0.5]] | |||
Lasers create high heat, and can cause materials to catch on fire. Certain materials and types of designs (i.e very dense/small objects) are more prone to fire. | Lasers create high heat, and can cause materials to catch on fire. Certain materials and types of designs (i.e very dense/small objects) are more prone to fire. | ||
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'''Respiratory Hazard''' | '''Respiratory Hazard''' | ||
[[File:ISO 7010 W071.svg|frameless|right|upright=0.5]] | |||
Laser cutters create fumes and small particulates. | Laser cutters create fumes and small particulates. | ||
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'''Laser Hazard''' | '''Laser Hazard''' | ||
[[File:ISO 7010 W004.svg|frameless|right|upright=0.5]] | |||
To minimize laser exposure hazards, remember to.. | To minimize laser exposure hazards, remember to.. | ||
# Never look directly at the laser beam. While wearing ''laser eye protection'', you may look at the point that the laser is cutting your material. However, you should NEVER look directly into a laser beam, even if wearing safety goggles. | # Never look directly at the laser beam. While wearing ''laser eye protection'', you may look at the point that the laser is cutting your material. However, you should NEVER look directly into a laser beam, even if wearing safety goggles. | ||
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== Known Issues == | == Known Issues == | ||
Firstly, this thing is '''''great''''' and we love it, flaws and all! Here are some quirks that should be solved or worked around. | Firstly, this thing is '''''great''''' and we love it, flaws and all! Here are some quirks that should be solved or worked around. | ||
''List of [[#Resolved Issues|resolved issues]]'' | |||
=== Crooked Bed === | === Crooked Bed === | ||
[[File:Crooked cut bed.png|thumb|right|alt=Graphic depicting cut bed and laser range, cut bed is crooked, rotated slightly anti-clockwise| | [[File:Crooked cut bed.png|thumb|right|alt=Graphic depicting cut bed and laser range, cut bed is crooked, rotated slightly anti-clockwise|Diagram of [[#crooked bed|crooked bed]]]] | ||
The cut bed and guides are rotated slightly anti-clockwise, this means anything you align to the guide will be off a bit of what you may expect. For example, a straight horizontal line engraved on a piece aligned to the left edge guide will appear at a downward angle from left to right, on the piece. This also means if you start at (0, 0) and cut straight down ''you'll cut into the the guide'', oh no! | The cut bed and guides are rotated slightly anti-clockwise, this means anything you align to the guide will be off a bit of what you may expect. For example, a straight horizontal line engraved on a piece aligned to the left edge guide will appear at a downward angle from left to right, on the piece. This also means if you start at (0, 0) and cut straight down ''you'll cut into the the guide'', oh no! | ||
:''' | :'''Workaround:''' There is a simple jig that's been cut and lives on the bed, it's a brown piece of MDF. If you want a square cut using the jig, place your piece in the top left corner against the jig and position the laser at x=21.9, y=0 (two presses of the right arrow on the controller). | ||
=== Non-Level Bed === | === Non-Level Bed === | ||
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== Operation Instructions == | == Operation Instructions == | ||
# First turn on the laser cutter control switch, located on the right side of the machine. | # First turn on the laser cutter control switch, located on the right side of the machine. | ||
<gallery mode="packed" heights="200"> | |||
File:Laser_control_switch.jpg|Showing laser control switch on | |||
</gallery> | |||
=== Preparing Material === | === Preparing Material === | ||
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# Once laser head above material, use the knob inside the laser cutter to move the bed up and down. The correct height is about 3/4" '''(UPDATE: use 17mm block)''' above your material. You can use the "laser focus height" tool as reference. | # Once laser head above material, use the knob inside the laser cutter to move the bed up and down. The correct height is about 3/4" '''(UPDATE: use 17mm block)''' above your material. You can use the "laser focus height" tool as reference. | ||
<gallery mode="packed" heights="200"> | |||
File:Laser_bed_z_adjust.jpg|Showing where Z adjust height is for laser | |||
File:Laser_bed_correct_bed_height.jpg|Showing correct bed height for laser | |||
File:Laser_bed_correct_bed_height_with_tool.jpg|Showing correct bed height for laser with tool | |||
</gallery> | |||
=== Turning on the laser and exhaust === | === Turning on the laser and exhaust === | ||
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# Enable the laser by turning on the laser switch on the left side of the machine, and turning the key on the front of the machine. | # Enable the laser by turning on the laser switch on the left side of the machine, and turning the key on the front of the machine. | ||
<gallery mode="packed" heights="200"> | |||
File:Laser_exhaust_fan.jpg|Exhaust fan for laser cutter | |||
File:Laser_switch.jpg|Showing laser switch on | |||
File:Laser_key_switch.jpg|Showing laser key switch on (turn clockwise) | |||
</gallery> | |||
=== Preparing the file === | === Preparing the file === | ||
[[File:Lightburn layer tips.png| | [[File:Lightburn layer tips.png|thumb|LightBurn layer settings]] | ||
The following steps should be done on the computer near the laser cutter, which has LightBurn installed on it. | The following steps should be done on the computer near the laser cutter, which has LightBurn installed on it. | ||
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== Cleaning == | == Cleaning == | ||
Clean the lens and mirrors monthly. | === Lens & Mirrors === | ||
'''''Very carefully.''''' Clean the lens and mirrors monthly. | |||
<!-- Add instructions --> | |||
=== Exhaust Fan === | |||
If the exhaust fan is not working well, it might need to be cleaned. | If the exhaust fan is not working well, it might need to be cleaned. | ||
To clean, detach the fan and base from the laser cutter. The green area circled in the below picture is where you need to get access, the '''intake'''. | To clean, detach the fan and base from the laser cutter. The green area circled in the below picture is where you need to get access, the '''intake'''. | ||
<!-- gallery not respecting height max, removing png solves issue --> | |||
<gallery mode="packed" heights="200"> | <gallery mode="packed" heights="200"> | ||
File:Laser_fan_detach.jpg|Pull the milk crates away from the laser cutter, disconnecting the '''intake''' from the blue ducting | File:Laser_fan_detach.jpg|Pull the milk crates away from the laser cutter, disconnecting the '''intake''' from the blue ducting | ||
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Also the duct/roof interface was improved and a new stand was made for the extractor fan. Yay for milk crates! | Also the duct/roof interface was improved and a new stand was made for the extractor fan. Yay for milk crates! | ||
<gallery mode="packed | <gallery mode="packed" heights="200"> | ||
File:Laserduct.png|3D printing exhaust duct adapter | File:Laserduct.png|3D printing exhaust duct adapter | ||
File:Fan-holder.jpg|Inside | File:Fan-holder.jpg|Inside | ||
File:new-vent-top.jpg|Outside | File:new-vent-top.jpg|Outside | ||
</gallery> | |||
== Resolved Issues == | |||
=== Water Leak === | |||
'''Update: 2026-05-12''' | |||
FIXED! The water pressure switch was replaced with a less leaky one. | |||
'''Update: 2026-05-05''' | |||
The offending device is a ''water pressure level switch'', we will either salvage one from a dishwasher or washing machine, or order a new one online. If you have access to either a dishwasher or washing machine, or one of these switches please let us know! | |||
'''Update: 2026-04-30''' | |||
Water was seen leaking from the front left of the machine while switched on. Upon investigation it was found to be dripping from the bottom of a device mounted inside near the back left corner. A water inlet enters the body of the laser cutter and is split, one hose goes to the offending device. This device appears to maybe be a water sensor of some sort. | |||
<gallery mode="slideshow"> | |||
File:Laser_cutter_leaking_device.jpeg|Pressure switch in situ | |||
File:Laser_cutter_water_pressure_switch_2.jpeg|Pressure switch removed angle 1 | |||
File:Laser_cutter_water_pressure_switch_3.jpeg|Pressure switch removed angle 2 | |||
</gallery> | </gallery> | ||