Autofocus: How To Set Up Your Laser Cutting Machine (2018)
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- čas přidán 6. 02. 2018
- A complete guide to setting up the Autofocus System on your laser cutting and engraving machine.
Welcome to the 42nd in our series of videos that aim to teach you how to use a laser cutter.
In this video, Russ reviews the autofocus system on the Lightblade 4060, designs a new Autofocus Pen bracket and shows a quick and easy way to accurately set up the Autofocus position.
You can download the Autofocus Pen Bracket DXF File here tkl.zone/laser101-900
Please Subscribe, leave comments and let us know what topics you would like to see in future videos.
thinklaser.com/thinklaser-syst...
Presented by Russ from Sarbar Multimedia ( / sarbarmu.. ) and using Thinklaser's Lightblade 4060 - 60 watt flatbed laser system you will be taken in easy stages through
- Machine Set-up,
- Use of the RDWorks Software,
- Maintenance and Alignment
- Troubleshooting
- Building projects
- Laser Safety
- Laser theory
- Laser Cutting
- Laser Engraving
- Materials
- Hints and Tips
If you are new to the world of lasers and are thinking of dipping your toe in the water and purchasing your first laser machine, check out these videos to determine it's right for you and avoid the potential pitfalls awaiting you.
Even if you are a seasoned laser user, we're sure there will be something in this series that will catch your interest, particularly if you are a user of the RDWorks software.
No matter what brand of laser system you currently own, many of the topics to be covered will be of direct interest.
If you are currently in the market for a laser system, please get in touch and ask about our Lightblade range.
Lightblade 3040 - 40 watts (300 x 400mm working area)
Lightblade 3040 - 60 watts (300 x 400mm working area)
Lightblade 4060 - 40 watts (400 x 600mm working area)
Lightblade 4060 - 60 watts (400 x 600mm working area)
Lightblade 6090 - 60 watts (600 x 900mm working area)
Lightblade 6090 - 80 watts (600 x 900mm working area)
Lightblade 6090 - 100 watts (600 x 900mm working area)
Lightblade 1290 - 60 watts (1200 x 900mm working area)
Lightblade 1290 - 80 watts (1200 x 900mm working area)
Lightblade 1290 - 100 watts (1200 x 900mm working area)
Lightblade 1290 - 130 watts (1200 x 900mm working area)
Lightblade 1290 - 150 watts (1200 x 900mm working area)
Lightblade 1490 - 60 watts (1400 x 900mm working area)
Lightblade 1490 - 80 watts (1400 x 900mm working area)
Lightblade 1490 - 100 watts (1400 x 900mm working area)
Lightblade 1490 - 130 watts (1400 x 900mm working area)
Lightblade 1490 - 150 watts (1400 x 900mm working area)
Lightblade 1610 - 60 watts (1200 x 1000mm working area)
Lightblade 1610 - 80 watts (1600 x 1000mm working area)
Lightblade 1610 - 100 watts (1600 x 1000mm working area)
Lightblade 1610 - 130 watts (1600 x 1000mm working area)
Lightblade 1610 - 150 watts (1600 x 1000mm working area)
Optional pass-through port available
If you need something bigger, specials are available up to 1500 x 2000mm bed size.
EFR & Reci tubes used
Finance Available
Looking to mark or engrave metals?
Need YAG or Fibre lasers?
Looking for laser automation or integration?
Check out our Lightwriter models at thinklaser.com/thinklaser-syst...
Lightblade Learning Lab Series - czcams.com/channels/t0D.html...
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Website: thinklaser.com/
Autofocus | Laser Cutter Autofocus | Laser Engraver Autofocus | Laser Engraving Machine | Autofocus System - Věda a technologie
Thanks for the information Russ! I’m late to watch this video! I’ve already purchased the needed parts to “add” auto focus to my laser. After watching this I realize that I really don’t need it, before I was convinced that I could not live without it! Keep up the fantastic work Russ! Jason
Great video!
Hi Gareth the new thumbnail stands out nice and clear 👍
Hi James,
Thanks for the feedback.
Thank you Russ........I heard you;-)
No auto focus pen for my new laser build. Thank you for this vast knowledge base. I teach kids to build rc planes out of foam board, but I expect we will find even more fun with the laser!
just posted on the forum about my auto focus set up, I think you'll like it.
Hi Gary,
Which forum is that?
Gareth@Thinklaser
Hi Gary,
Found it on the RDWorksLab forum (for others to check out rdworkslab.com/viewtopic.php?f=15&t=2594&p=15844&hilit=auto+focus#p15844) neat Idea, not sure if a standard limit switch is the most accurate switch for this application but it could be replaced with something more suitable.
Gareth@thinklaser.
HI Russ, you are a life saver with your videos
I would like to make your autofocus pen bracket but it seems the dxf file is not available anymore
think you mr. ross you are my hero
We're glad to help.
Gareth@Thinklaser
How did you connect the auto sensor to your laser controller? Still waiting receive mine.
how would you set this up for a compound lens as I have to do more detailed engravings and would like to have this setup so I just have to change the lens and use the same nozzle as that I a nice low profile one vers the longer nozzle.
Hello Mr. Russ, I hope all is well. I am having issues cutting through 1/4 birch wood with my 50w laser. Sometimes it does sometimes it doesn't cut all the way through. I have the speed as low as i can take it. Running at 9 speed and 75 power max 8 min power. Am I doing something wrong. Please shed your great wisdom on me.
Hi I thought it might be a good idea if possible to get a video of cleaning and greasing the bearings and rails . Thanks James
I Second that possibility :)
Splended video as always
Hi James,
Good to hear from you. I'll see if we can do a general maintenance video. Weekly / Monthly / Annual checks
Gareth@thinklaser.
Hi James,
What do you think of the new style video Thumbnail? I'd appreciate your feedback.
Regards
Gareth
Do you sell the parts that make?
I don't change the switch position for different lenses. It is as simple as having disks with the various lens offsets. Set a puck on the table under the switch for the long lenses and hit the autofocus. Make and keep the lenses and pucks together so which lens is used the same puck is out for the autofocus. No need to recal the switch and adjust it.
Hi Isettech,
That's a great idea, thanks for sharing.
Regards
Gareth @ Thinklaser
Hi mr. ross plise how to youse enable pen up and down in rd works think you
Hi Marouane,
Thanks for getting in touch. Russ doesn't respond to this Channel, but I have an answer for you below;
To enable pen up and down in RDWorks, you need to go to
"Config(S)"
Click on "System Setting"
The Setting window should pop up
To the right of the Setting Window is "Map for Pen axis:"
Change this to "Z" and close the Setting Window.
Draw an object and open up the layer/pen settings.
Go to "Processing Mode" and change to Pen
Then click on "Advanced" next to the Processing Mode box.
You need to tick "Enable pen up and down" and fill in the distances you require in the Pen up / Pen down section.
You will need to "Read" your machine settings for the software to determine the current Z-axis position.
Hope that helps.
Gareth@Thinklaser
Hello,
nice video! Lots of information.
Can you may help me with the setting of the Autofocus?
Where must I connect the wire of the autofocus switch?
Thank you very much!
Hi JB
Thanks for your kind words.
On our Lightblade machines, we connect the Auto-focus to the GND and Limit Z-
If you have the Ruida 6442S controller it's Pins
CN3-1 for GND
CN3-4 for LMT Z-
But make sure it's correct for your machine.
Gareth @ Thinklaser.
Hello Gareth,
thank you very much for the information.
I have an RDC6442G controller, autofocus works with the wiring you told me, but I also have a limit switch for the Z axis, do you also know how to set up this together with the autofocus?
Thank you very much!
Hi J.B.
The Z-axis limit switch on our machines are across the same pins as the auto-focus. Both switches are normally open. When one of the switches activates it completes the circuit and stops the Z-axis from moving. So either the auto-focus or the limit switch can stop the z-axis movement.
Gareth @ Thinklaser
i don't like that a focus probe sticks below cut nozzle after auto focus event ...probe crash trouble!
Hello, you know where I can get the acrylic measurement tool you using?
Hola solo rabricala con el láser, en acrílico o cualquier material de 3 a 5 mm de espesor, haz escalones de 7 mm o 10 mm de longitud y de 3 en 3 mm de altura, a la longitud que mejor te parezca.
i am your fan of your sister channel too !! Sarbar Media !!
What are you doing with that laser pointer there Russ? ;)
I am not a huge fan of the pen style auto focus device myself, but the real issue here seems to be your machine and how poorly the gantry to bed ratio was taken into account. In other words, the gantry is mounted much to high and/or the bed Z axis much to low. The bed should ride up inside the gantry till there is only about 50mm clearance from the bottom of the nozzle block, not the tube like with this machine.
For some unknown reason, the Chinese don't seem to understand that a low profile light weigh nozzle assembly is crucial for vast improvements to dynamic load (inertial whip) created by heavy nozzle setups that destroy accelerations abilities as well as heavily degrading over all precision for various reasons regarding CG offsets that create lateral fatigue and resonance. Trotec got it right with the super wide GT2 belts on the X axis of their Speedy machines. The nozzle is super small and weighs next to nothing with the advantage of having a very small, light weight cart assembly on a high gear reduction pulley setup.
Moral of this story... Don't bring the nozzle down. Bring the bed up to it via design and cut that dead weight lens tube down to size for weight reduction and rigidity increases.
My laser doesn't have one.
Hi SUM1SLY83,
As Russ showed, you don't really need one. But I hope the video was of interest anyway.
gareth@thinklaser