90W Laser Cutter From Scratch | Ultimate Air Assist
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- čas přidán 14. 01. 2021
- It's time to upgrade the air assist on my Y-400 laser cutter! Previously, I have been using the air pump that came with my K40 laser. I created a 3D printed box that houses a relay to switch the pump on and off. While this was adequate for the K40 laser, I always wanted to have bleed air through the nozzle on the Y-400 laser.
I got started by pulling out the old air assist components, which I had temporarily affixed to the water chiller's top. After that, I pulled off the right and back side acrylic panels to access the laser cutter's wiring.
The Cloudray Ultimate Air Assist Kit comes with a relay to control the air compressor, which I don't need. It also comes with an extra screw terminal in case yours is missing? I 3D printed a mounting bracket, which I will use to mount the air solenoid valve to the 2040 extrusion.
I assembled the solenoid parts according to the instructions. I mounted the solenoid near the back of the machine to access it with the lid open without removing the acrylic panels. I hooked up the airline going to the laser cutter head.
Next, I disassembled the original three switch control panel and replaced the panel with a new four switch version. I did a quick test to ensure the wiring was still working.
I had an air regulator on hand, so I attached a quick release to it and installed it on the side of the cabinet. I drilled a hole for the 6mm airline to run to the solenoid and attached it to the solenoid valve's input. I set my regulator to 30psi for now.
The bleed valve that comes with the kit will not close down fully. It seems to be a half-closed to maximum open valve. I will need to add another valve that I have ordered to the solenoid valve's bleed line to reduce the bleed air going to the nozzle. If you are planning to install this kit, plan to order a second 6mm valve!!
I will give this a try in a future video! Stay tuned!
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I'll be back after a couple weeks with more laser cutter videos and lots of other ideas! I promise I will be firing up the laser to make some projects soon! If there is anything you would like to see in a video leave a comment below!
That was extremely informative!
Thanks!
Just what I needed!! Thanks
Glad I could help!
everything has to be wired just so! this was speedy, but everything is so precise so you get A+ for patience🦋
Thanks Tina!
Hi A.C. I've just about got my parts together to start my build. I was looking at your upgrade and wondering if you could please clarify what you mean by bleed air vs. full-pressure air. With that little loop, is the intent that you have some lower pressure air always coming out at the laser head, but then when you have the controller turn on the solenoid valve you get a full 30psi blast? You mentioned adding another valve -- what configuration did you end up with? Thanks!
Yes that is exactly right. You always want some air through the nozzle at all times while operating the laser. And then higher pressure air while cutting with the high pressure air controlled by the software.
Nice machine! I made a couple Y-1200's. How big of a compressor are you using?
Thanks! I'm using a 5 gallon compressor but I just recently added an extra 10 gallon reserve tank.
Do have a wiring diagram? I'd be interested to get a closer look at how the wires connect to the controller and switch.
Yes. I followed the diagram from CloudRay: tinyurl.com/mwsvxjau. Switch E in the diagram is my panel switch. Since I'm using an air compressor and not a pump I did not use the relay to switch on the pump so you can ignore the stuff on the left side.
I would like to see the compressor that you used? Are you running out of air... causing you to add more reserve?
The compressor I use can be seen in this video: czcams.com/video/Sc3yVSJn2WE/video.html
Ideally I would have a compressor with higher CFM while cutting but it does fine. The compressor motor does kick on during cutting.
Why did you 3D print the panel versus laser cutting one from black acrylic...?
Mainly because I don't have any acrylic on hand and it is expensive stuff. I do have lots of filament on hand. Maybe I will laser cut the panel some day!
Do you have another relay to control the air compressor ? or it is not mondatory to use that ?
No. The air compressor is always on. The solenoid valve is enough to start/stop the flow of air from the compressor. The ultimate air assist kit does come with parts to control the air compressor or air pump in addition to the valve if you want to set it up that way. But I find it is not necessary with an air compressor.
I see you have indoor air filter ,i one to do the same but i am worry about the smell ,? i am canadien so during winter i can trough hot air outside ,let me know
I am venting the air outside as a precaution. I do believe the air and carbon filter do help reduce the smell inside the room.
What did you use as honeycumb / cutting area?
It is a custom ordered honeycomb bed from Cloudray Laser. Sorry I don't have specs at the moment... but search around my video comments and in one of my videos in a comment I provided the size and cost.
Does cat hair have a deleterious effect on laser efficiency? :D
Probably :)
Any plans on adding a gas assist, or are you strictly sticking to non metals?
I may try doing some metal engraving some time but no plans to cut metal. I believe you need a fiber laser for proper metal cutting.
@@acwrightdesign yes and no, with 130w co2 you can cut aluminum with argon assist and steel wish o2 assist. I read that argon assist also prevents burning of most material edges, but doubt it's worth the cost to prevent burnt edges. Sadly the min price for a fiber that can cut metal is 5k just for the laser. By the time you get all the needed parts you are looking at over 10k.
@@acwrightdesign not that co2 ends up being much cheaper, 1k for an auto focus head, and about 2-3k for a 150w laser tube with shipping, plus the new psu and cooling system you'd need
Can i use trocen awc7813 instead of ruida?
I don't have experience with that controller but I don't see why not. I would first decide which software you want to ultimately use and then decide on a controller based on what will work with your software of choice. Good luck!
@@acwrightdesign thanks so much for your reply. I will use lightburn and I read that trocen is compatible with it.
How much do you think the laser cutter cost? How thick of wood can you cut?
The laser parts were around $1500. The chiller was another $400 (which I had already bought for K40).
I haven't tried to max out the cut depth but I'm sure 1/2" (12mm) should be possible. I think 3/4" (19mm) might be possible with multiple passes. I doubt I will even try this though. I have the Shapeoko CNC which is better suited to deeper cuts.
@@acwrightdesign does that include the air filter parts?
@@johnjss Maybe? Sorry, I didn't keep a good track what I was spending. :) The air filter parts for v2 is about $200
@@acwrightdesign lol, no worries. I was just watching some other videos and they were referencing $500 for a diy fume exhaust.
Not a great video when your speeding thru the wireing the diodes and wires to the point you see nothing and slowing down the video for the hose insert.
If you order the Ultimate Air Assist kit it comes with a detailed wiring diagram. Take a look at the wiring diagram as it will be different for different use cases.