Laser cutter issues

@lasertechs hi guys. Sorry to be a pain, but there seems to be continued issues with the laser cutter. Another member is trying to cut a job but the the laser keeps freezing half way though the cut. Any idea what is happening? Is there a tech that might be around to have a look at whats going wrong?

Also the bed is pretty badly sunken in the middle.

Cheers

@lasertechs need help wit the laser please can someone have a look. Issues include:

software failure. Trotec freezing in the middle of jobs.
job control not responding to print function in coral draw/illustrator/inkscape
job control not updating cutting and engrave lines once print settings applied
job control freezing during set up
inkscape say run time error and crashes - despite people stating do not use inkscape I’ve used until now without much issues.

I would be really grateful for some assistance with solutions. Previous advice utilised and still an error continues.

I’ve had a look and it seems the issue was related to resolution on export combined with interesting material setups.
A couple tweaks had the user back on track and he finished his work without further issues.
I won’t say there are never issues but they do seem solvable.
As for the laser bed, it’s shot! We can use the left over honey comb to fix it but it’s not a long term solution. I am looking into options and will discuss with the other laser techs.

Are these new issues after @TomHedges issues?
Chanelle, please advise.

no there same issues I reported earlier this week. Not cut lines located.
Pattern not engraving
System crashing with clipping pattern to object technique

I haven’t had these problems previously. I ran the same file last week, with my custom settings no problems.
If there is a way to troubleshoot my way out I can do it, I just need to know what it is that is going wrong.

Sorry not meaning to sound grouchy but it’s late and I’ve waited 6 hrs to use the later cutter to encounter the same issues.

Thanks to @StudioNelle, @Jonathan and @peter_hellyer for patience and technical assistance tonight - some useful new troubleshooting tips learnt! Beware high resolution in the print settings. Chanelle - I hope things start running smoothly for you soon.

There should be plenty of honeycomb to make new beds. Not quite sure where it got kept. @jonathanjo might know?

I know where it is. Will try find time before the end of this week

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@ lasertechs, the laser bed has been redone as a temp solution whilst sourcing something more industrial…

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How has the honeycomb been destroyed so quickly?

This part is not intended to be replaced frequently, but we seem to be damaging it a lot.

Maybe we should look at purchasing one of the other types of bed that is more durable?

I suspect the replacement we bought is made of thinner aluminium.

Was my assumption, but maybe it’s not necessary to always use the honeycomb bed.

We could look at building our own vacuum cable which would be really useful for wood, or a slatted table:

https://www.troteclaser.com/en-gb/laser-machines/laser-accessories/work-tables-for-lasers/

Mmmm, yes I was having similar thoughts

Vacuum bed looks interesting, that replacement honeycomb won’t last long… I was thinking of getting a hard anodised aluminium grid made which would be a lot more hard wearing?
Thoughts?

Yes please to any solution that trumps current honeycomb situation.

Many thanks for the much needed replacement of current honeycomb can now achieve even engraving and cutting.

There are some factor to think about:

  • Reflectiveness , if the laser bounce back is bad, really bad, can damage the lens or the material we are cutting.

  • Weight , a large heavy slab of metal will wear easily the Z axis.

  • Cleanability , if it become sticky after a mount and there is no way to clean is useless.

  • Laser resistant , well, of course if we can cut it is pointless.

I’m slightly confused. The products are sold by trotec and offer suggested thickness and weight so that shouldn’t be a worry. Cleaning wise there are products and cleaning equipment specially for cleaning grid type beds or we can pay for a service. Hackspace clean their own, they have a similar grid system to the one advertised by trotec. I think the build up may take longer to clean as its not cleaned that regular and has a high usuage and possibly people not using recommend paramater settings.

Oh, I thought was an in house solution, my bad :slight_smile:

I suggested a DIY vac table as that will be expensive to have fitted.

Or a off the shelf metal slats system.

I’m not sure that reflection is an issue beyond causing reflections on the material being cut.