DIY enclosed laser cutter on a budget #1 | the gantry!
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- čas přidán 1. 07. 2024
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After over a year and a half in development it's time to start building the low cost diode laser engraver/cutter I've been designing! At this point the design is already somewhat outdated since it uses lead screws which I definitely wouldn't do anymore if I were to start from scratch, but at least this approach is more interesting for you guys to watch than the (arguably superior) but dull as dishwater NEMA 17 direct belt drive.
The linear rail system with V-groove POM wheels rolling on 2020mm aluminum square tubing turned out really awesome though. I can't wait to see this machine do its first cuts!
The design for this machine will be open source as soon as I get around to redesigning the X-carriage to fit Nema 17 steppers.
MDF hygro expansion resources:
www.finewoodworking.com/forum...
wilsontimbers.com/media/wysiw...
If you decide building something similar, please consider supporting my work by purchasing components through these affiliate links, this way I may receive a small comission without any additional cost to you:
Power supply (I got the 12v 8A version): s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_DBU...
POM V-groove wheels ( V-groove version): s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_DFr...
GT2 idler pulleys: s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_DCC...
GT2 pulleys (non-standard ID): s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_DeO...
In any case though I recommend getting stuff during one of Aliexpress's many sales as it's a bit cheaper then. The power supply for instance I got for under $7, the 5A version would've been sufficient, but I picked the bigger one because I could.
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I have no idea how I got here, but this young man who sounds like he learned speech patterns from a TV anchor sure knows his stuff. Consider me subscribed!
I didn't realize I talk like that! (I don't even watch TV for that matter) 😂
I deliberately don't use a teleprompter so as not to appear too scripted, haha..
Either way thanks and welcome to the ride!
I know the parts are cheaper than ever but I really like when someone makes a machine from scraps.
Yeah it's sad, back in the day there used to be a lot more people doing this but economics are ruining it... I'm feeling it myself, at some point it gets more worthwhile to just quickly buy the parts I need rather than spend five hours dismantling ewaste to get those resistors - five hours I could've spent working on the video... Currently I'm operating off a stock of parts I've spent my teenage years collecting, but haven't taken anything apart in a while :(((
Wow, that gantry is moving smoothly! I'm definitely looking forward to the next update.
Hey folks! Sorry this one took a bit longer, but at least I got a lot done!
Edit: CZcams must've messed with the audio levels, on here the music bits seem obnoxously loud compared to my voice, which isn't the case in the fully rendered file on my computer :(
Sounds fine actually. Don't worry too much about it. It is awesome to see you build stuff!
Motorized z axis for a laser cutter/wngraver is a great idea. I saw an article a few years back where someone made many passes, lowering the laser a little bit with each pass, to get a 2.5w laser to cut much thicker wood than it could normally. Also, strong air assist can help you cut much thicker material.
I don't know much about laser cutting, but heard the focal point is set to roughly the center of the sheet to be cut. What you describe sounds like a super smart solution to getting more cutting depth!
the precision you get with just hand tools is inspiring. I need to slow my roll a bit on projects.
I on the other hand, need to speed up! Precision is great until you reach the point where you don't get anything done because everything takes and eternity..
Hi Ben! Would you believe me if I told you, I watched most of your posts at least 3 times? For the pleasure/entertainment of course and for the huge work hidden behind them. This post is really great: great screenplay; great soundtrack (yes, I know it's some youtube free audios ;)). You became a genuine video director Ben, really. A promising seasoned video maker.
That gantry is a jewel! You deserve more than a bunch of subscribers (ok, 11K is not that small though). I'm glad your channel gains in traction. Eric Groslevin (sounds so français) is a nice guy! Those Nemaxx are just waiting for their next use in your surprising projects, I bet. Thank you for the quality of your work Benjamin. Woodwork with you, "a pris des marques de noblesse" French say.... Keep it high my friend.
Hey Phil! I remember you saying that you watch every video at least twice - that makes me so happy. I guess I do put a lot more effort into good editing than many folks who don't employ a dedicated video editor, especially in my niche..
Eric Groslevin is from France! Incredibly nice guy... He lives in California, and we had a little misunderstanding because he thought I was in the states too, but because he's a man of his word he sent the stuff anyway - I don't even want to know what shipping was... All that stuff was definitely more than I ever got for birthday. And man do I have ideas for great projects!
I kind of adore how scuffed and... imprecise (best word I can come up with but it's not entirely accurate) your process is. You just make what you make with what you have and I really like that!
😃
Carbide tipped circular saw blades go through aluminum just fine. Care is needed, but not so extreme as you made it out to be. Great project!
Thanks! Yeah, I didn't know what to expect going into it, so I played it safe, including when I wrote that script 😁 When I later cut the smaller tube I noticed I can feed much more aggressively without any issue
awesome job, makes me want to dig through me scraps to see what i might be able to build.
You are a psychopath, in a good way! That wood 3D printer makes me so happy..😊 Now, this!?😂
I wanted to say I appreciate your videos very much. Honesty, positive mind, and thought through ideas. I'm always excited when there is a new video listed. Looking forward to see the laser in action, and what the future holds with your new bag of toys.
Glad you enjoy ✨
Dear Eric Groslevin i need a friend like you :) what an awesome support
Great build so far! I only wish the videos would be longer, though. It's really relaxing watching you build stuff!
Thanks :) I'm glad you enjoy it, tho I think if my videos get _even_ longer watch time goes down further 😂
Not to mention sponsor getting uncomfortable at 45min+ (ask me how I know 🤭)
A core XY belt system would be ideal in this configuration
No idea why I haven't thought of this yet, I even thought about making a potential next laser cutter corexy, but you're right! It's the solution for the motors not fitting on the carriage 😅
Okay, the slight redesign to be released open source will be corexy 👍
Looking forward to the enclosed corexy printer from those parts 😍
Guess what I'm trying to figure out right now 😆
Wonderful work, as always!! One thing that I would recommend is not making a motorized Z-axis. Using a motor makes very fine adjustment difficult as the amount that the leadscrew needs to be adjusted is almost never a whole number or easy to predict, and the best solution that has worked for me on two diy layer builds is just making a *thumbscrew* to adjust it :) Also, using the belt drive shouldnt be too difficult, just mount the motors on the front of the frame and the idlers on the back of the frame and make a small belt clamp out of a piece of plywood that gets mounted to the gantry wooden sides
Thanks :)
I'd think a motorized Z allows for even finer adjustments since motor steps divide lead screw pitch into insane resolutions.. Yeah, belts would definitely be the way to go, someone else suggested making it corexy to fit the motors which would totally work - but now I'm 90% done, sunk cost fallacy says I should finish the job. Besides I'd hate to botch the design, even if it means better motors...
I got vibes of Matthias Wandel out of your videos. In a good way of course. Amazing work.
Yes!!! Congrats, you're the first one to notice! (or at least commenting about it) Matthias Wandel is about the first channel I ever watched, followed the longest, and biggest influence on my work! He basically got me into this weird niche of woodworking purely for the sake of building machines to do more woodworking with. It was primarily him who taught me the "frugal art of working with whatever you have" so to speak :p
So I guess it's no surprise if my videos are the spirit of his work (albeit with much more perfectionism) repackaged in a more modern algorithm-compliant video format 😅
@@ChronicMechatronic the work you do is just pure gold, you got me hooked. All mighty algorithm served me the video so you got this part figured out. Now I am all ears and waiting for rest of the build. :D
@krzysiej--9229 😅😅
Very nice project! I like the idea of keeping things easy, cheap & (most importantly) safe. I already can't wait for the next video to come. ;-)
I'm looking forward to the rest of your build. I've been thinking about building a laser cutter/engraver for awhile. I'm hoping this will give me the nudge I need to get it going. Thanks.
Laser cutters are surprisingly behind in terms of development compared to 3d printers. I'm in the process of designing a controller board for this, and it definitely seems like I have to run it on GRBL, which is... _a pain in the ass_ compared to Marlin to say the least. There are laser cutters running Marlin out there, which I'd love to do since it would allow me to start jobs from SD, out there doesn't seem to be any Marlin compatible G-code sender/generator software available. My best bet seems to be LaserGRBL, which I haven't gotten to work on Linux yet...
Hope this doesn't give you a nudge in the opposite direction now 😆
Just a warning...
@@ChronicMechatronic have you looked into using Klipper?
For laser cutters? Not yet, I'll have to do that, though I imagine it might be the same issue with Gcode compatibility
❤❤❤ fantastic
10:00 this expansion of the MDF will not be a problem when the frame will be glued on the base ? 4mm seems a lot !
I've since gotten sceptical of that number too, but I'd have to run proper tests to see how this material specifically reacts to humidity... At least I'd think the base would "breathe" with the frame if they're all made of the same material
Make another Laser Cutter and Make this build into a CNC!
Sadly not rigid enough :(
Much to my surprise the X-axis rails actually sag by ~0.1 millimeter when the carriage moves to the center purely from the weight of it. It won't be a big problem, but it's one of the really difficult things to evaluate working in CAD. I thought for sure the whole design would be overkill when it comes to the rigidity, but it's actually just about right.
you could have made the gantry and the base as seprate pieces so the bed floats and the expantion issue would be far less of an issue it wouls have ment a bit more aluminium or sone thereaded rod thoough. like the look iof this project though kee[ o[ the good work
Wouldn't work because the whole thing eventually gets enclosed with the same material :(
thanks though
can you send link of the laser? And have you tried it? what can it cut?
I haven't tested it yet, but will add a link when I did and feel like I can recommend it. I imagine as a viewer the fact that I spent my own money on it is already more confidence-inspiring than if a company had sent it to me, but I make bad decisions too.
It's the NEJE N40630 by the way...
Few seconds enough for sub i want to see process we can make it together i have already 40x40 lazer engarving machine but builkding it myself looking good.
İlk
6:19 as someone who has had a drill bit inside my finger from overconfidently doing exactly this I beg you not continue doing this practice
Ouch that sounds awful! I hope you recovered well. I don't usually do this either, no idea what went wrong there, but I did eventually pull my finger away from where the drill bit would exit. That might've gotten edited out.
Making a laser cutter out of something that the laser can catch fire and burn feels like a bad idea
Because it probably is 😁
The replacable table slats I made should preferably be metal instead
It's high time you printed that voron, dude. 🤣 but seriously, a printer with bipolar motors and a sturdier frame will help you a lot in your next projects. cheers!
I even have a decent printer, the TwoTrees SP-5 V3 I did a video on last Halloween, but chose to use the DIY one because it'd be immortal to spend 2 years making videos about a DIY printer and then use an off-the-shelf one immediately after 😂
But yeah, I'm designing a much more reasonable DIY printer too, main job of the current one will be as a RepStrap
@@ChronicMechatronic I agree XD I love the first printer, just to be clear. Repstrap! that is the spirit.