Laser cutter issues?

Discussion
1

I didn’t get a response previously if you’re into them I’ll make them. Any budget to buy some nice jars? Anyone have a few empty on the way to be empty at home to spare? I have one.

Managed to work out how to amend the box to be topless but laser cutter can’t seem to cope with the thickness of the ply. I repeated the cut lines 5 times on the lowest speed before burning and setting on fire at the highest power. Also, the laser only seemed to work at full power in the middle of the bed but not on the left-hand side. Any suggestions?

2

@lasertechs

3

I’ll be popping by the space later this evening to trial the new extraction so will see what’s what. Might be a focus issue due to the rather knackered honeycomb sagging in the centre. Which reminds me that it needs replacing.

4

Yeah I think my brain was just stuck thinking about the cabinet and wanted to be sure how much room we actually had before taking on the wall space.

Do you want to meet up ASAP and make a list of the things we need to buy and make?

Do we need to paint that one sheet with the chalk board paint first? I think I should check with @directors first.

5

Awas the plywood flat? It has a tendency to warp and that would cause focusing problems too.

6

Absolutely flat. Brand new.

7

Laser- grade ply? How thick?

8

9mm

9

But laser-grade? The glue used in straight birch ply doesn’t take well to being laser cut.

9mm should be OK though, check with @lasertechs

10

I had cut two bits fine. But when I went to cut the ply orginally there were two error messages, flashing lights, alarms and it the whole thing was frozen, I was directed to switch off the machine and restart which I did, but then the it basically onlt scored the ply maybe 3/4 mm deep.

11

Hmm that’s concerning. Are we still talking about a part of the sewing area storage here btw? All this laser talk is getting a bit off topic!

12

yes, sorry should it be a separate thread? I was tired when I originally sent it and didn’t want to write two seperate posts. It is referring to the draw I was cutting for the sewing area. But I guess it is really a laser issue.

13

it doesn’t sit flat on the laser though, possible the bed isn’t flat?

14

If it’s not sitting flat then the laser can’t be in focus over the whole area and it won’t cut properly where it isn’t focused. That might be one reason.

Also…laser-grade ply?

15

err I believe so. I believe @Dermot purchased this?

16

Cool. Then probably just the bed level thing then.

Another thought - if the extraction isn’t running properly then smoke buildup can make the cutter run less efficiently over time, ie as it fills with smoke. Could that have been an issue?

17

The ply was bought as brich ply, rather than laser ply. I thought you were just going to engrave on it?

I can check with the timber yard if it’s laser grade

18

The extractions seems to run beautifully, but I’m no expert. There is less smell when it is running and as long as the blow option is on little to smoke.

Could it be possible it just needs a clean?

19

Possibly, but Chanelle said it got worse over to the left. I think it’s most likely that’s down to the ply not being level so the beam slightly out of focus in that area.

The issue with not cutting overall on my opinion looks like it might not be laser ply - if it wasn’t bought as such then it possibly is but we should assume not.

20

I think it was planned to laser cut them for ease. But that said there is no reason why we couldn’t machine cut wit the help of the router. @boldaslove @stefanoromano what was your original plan can it be adapted?

Can we use the ply in the messy room instead. It’s slightly thinner and will cut with ease. I’m sure there is enough of it.