Cameron’s Laser Build

X, Y, and Z

Hello again!

Yesterday you saw the laser head traveling on the X and Y axes; today Cameron wired the Z axis which raises and lowers the honeycomb bed/cutting surface. This is necessary for calibrating the distance needed between the laser and the material being cut or engraved All cutting, etching, engraving operations will have different formulas for laser speed (how fast it travels on the X and Y axes), distance between the material and the laser head, power (it’s a 100 watt laser but different materials need different amounts of power/wattage depending upon what they are and what you’re doing) and the intensity at which the compressor is forcing air through the chiller. I will get into more detail about the role of the chiller as we progress to the installation of it. So, cutting 1/4” acrylic will have different speed, power, distance, and compressor settings than etching 1/2” acrylic, as an example. Take a look at the video of the Z axis in motion below.

Honeycomb bed/cutting surface in motion

Cameron says he doesn’t yet have the laser head completely calibrated so the video below shows most of its range of motion. There will be slightly more travel once he has it fine tuned.

Range of laser head (mostly)

Someone early on remarked about what a clean work area Cameron had for the build. I hope who ever that was takes a gander at this because it’s anything but clean and neat! Cameron has an ease with chaos that I will never have. He can be and is effective in the midst of all of this because he’s able to narrowly focus. Meanwhile I’m having heart palpitations. Have a look…

Spaghetti Junction
80% of wiring complete

The caveat here is that the wiring will be neatened up once he’s done. The chiller, compressor, and exhaust still need to be connected/wired along with some lighting inside the unit and a few outlets. We will really be cooking with gas once all of that is done. He also has to complete the design and print a switch panel (now I’m wondering if that’s the correct terminology for it). I’m hoping I can cajole him into ordering the acrylic front and rear doors/lids this week. My anxiety around getting those in house has become an inside joke. I’m fretting in advance about the looming potential for a UPS strike (July but it’s never too soon for this squirrel to gather her nuts!).

Signing off until next week ????.

Leave a Reply

Comments (

2

)

  1. Debbie

    The videos really showed how amazing this is! Kudos to you for explaining it like you do!

    Reply
    1. Cameron’s Rezo Laser Build

      I’m glad you liked the videos! What’s interesting to me is how versatile CNC technology is. Whether it’s a router in a wood shop, an embroidery machine, a hobby/craft cutter like the Cricut or the Silhouette Cameo, or an industrial laser, they’re all rooted in the same tech.

      As for the explanations, you can see I don’t always get it right the first time but I’m working on it ????.

      Reply