My Laser Adventures.

Boys and Girls,

 

While preparing article migrations from LJ to here, I came across this Blog I posted there on May 27, 2020.

 

With the popularity of lasers/CNCs, I started a topic about laser usage, however, this blog went into much greater detail that someone interested may get some further detail that I as a novice encountered .

While I paid more for my laser than most sane people would, I had a reasonably paid full time job and had good intentions to aid my daughter.

 

Boys and Girls

 

Over my tenure here at LumberJocks, I've had count less (never good at maths and getting worse with old age) asks about my laser.  Rather than trying to recall all my past lies, I shall endeavour to relate those taradiddles so I don't have to tax my remaining grey matter that still manages to evade the adverse affect of  alcohol.

 

If you're not into lasers then no need to waste time reading any further… Just send me a PM and ask me not to write this article.

 

In a nutshell, I spent a big tad more than I expected to, based on my initial intention. Primarily, I considered buying a basic laser to engrave the pens I got addicted to making.  After being forced into reading (about lasers as I knew nothing about them) and discussions with my daughter, decided to buy a higher end laser so I could set her up in some sort of service business and maybe pilfer some burn time off her.  The two local suppliers' machines I considered was an Epilog and Trotec lasers with a 300mm x 600mm bed size.  The Epilog boasted an extractor that needed a filter change in accordance with the material being engraved/cut, while the Trotec used the same filtration system for all materials…  Being bone lazy, I baulked at the Epilog and opted for the Trotec.  While a "normal" dust extractor could be attached to the laser, it would be preferable to vent outside and living in central Richmond, I opted for an inside, people friendly, quiet filter unit.

 

I purchased a Trotec Speedy 100 with a 30W lens, circa April 2010 when lasers were costed on commercial principles and little concern for hobyists,

The laser uses a honeycomb table for cuts. 

The honeycomb can be left in place for engraving, however, it sacrifices a potential extra 50mm height in engraving jobs.

I also purchased the Trotec Atmos Filter system (more on this later). 

along with a rotary attachment for the laser.  The rotary unit parked on the side of the mobile base while not in use,

and mounted on the laser replacing the honeycomb table,

I won't go into the shekel count for the setup as I chopped and changed my requirement several times with the Jewish Piano playing a merry tune with every indecision.

 

Unfurtunately for me, my daughter lost interest in the laser about 1 week after the cheque was signed and delivery taken. Needless to say, I finished up with a bloody expensive hobby laser as I had no intention of abandoning my programming carrier.  Over the 11 years of ownership, it has raked up 279 hours of use, which should have been achieved in under 2 months of commercial use.

 

While the laser can potentially be hooked up to any kind of a dust extractor, it would need to be vented outside through the wall/window due to potential toxic fumes from the laser operation especially on timber and with me often using MDF.

I specifically bought the Atmos filter to permit unvented operation in a confined bedroom.  Opening the filter's lid reveals the first layer of the filtration system badly in need of replacement as revealed by my desire for fresh photos,

removing the filter tray,

gave access to the 2nd level filter cartridge (about $700 replacement cost),

Below that was the 3rd filter which was somewhat spotted but still had plenty of life in it,

and finally the bag of granulated charcoal (Activated Carbon) that was the heart of the filtration process,

The filter unit has a display that reports the status of the filtration system,

and as no bells and whistles were played, the unit was re-assembled with the 1st level filter replaced,

 

To generate a laser job, I design in SketchUp and pass the design through SketchUp Pro's Layout to CorelDraw (X8).  In Corel, I perform any fine tuning and prioritise cutting orders if required.  From Corel, you simply print to the laser much like you would print to an inkjet printer.

 

Laser processing requires the following (as per my specific setup),

My laser does not have an autofocus and is manually focused, for non-specific timber, by the use of a "displacement rod",

The rod is balanced on the lens head assembly

and the bed is raised (slowly near the top) with the use of direction buttons on the top of the laser machine,

and when the rod is toppled,

the laser is in focus.

The laser head can then be positioned to the start of the job which is usually 1,1 on the X,Y axis (Z has been set by the focusing).

 

For static thickness like 6mm MDF, the laser position and bed height can be set using software… 6mm MDF uses a Z axis setting of 52.45mm

(3mm MDF is 49.69mm).

 

Lets talk about some of my laser projects.

 

This custom made miniature dresser was my first commercial undertaking and it solely returned about 40% of the laser's overall earnings.

and this laser cut inlay project about another 30%... the remaining 30% was just petty jobs ranging from a cheap 4L cask of vino to a higher class 2L cask of vino.

 

I did a write up on Laser engraved pens, however, most engravings were for personal use and none of my laser works sales made enough revenue to replace a filter.

 

The laser has been extensively used for many jigs  

And functional objects,   

And a swag of puzzles,

 

One of my favourite uses is to engrave with 2 or 3 passes and fill with contrasting coloured wood filler,

 

My favourite font is Old English and using the laser I can get fine cut details that would be somewhat difficult on a scroll saw even by a reputed operator,

 

Laser cut paper,

Beautiful clear and crisp job on perspex,