Laser Cutter Notes

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Revision as of 08:42, 16 February 2010 by VDX (talk | contribs) (Health and Safety)
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Laser Cutter

Release status: unknown

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Description
turnkey or DIY laser-cutter toolheads
License
Author
Contributors
Based-on
Categories
[[Category:Laser Cutter][Category:Tools]]
CAD Models
External Link


RepRap Research/Writeups

Bright-VikBot or a good name.

Background

See Laser_Cutter/Background

Description

Discussion: http://forums.reprap.org/read.php?70,13836,14061#msg-14061

Laser Light Sources

~45 sealed CO2 laser ...


1 watt pigtail diode laser with optical head (focus ~50 microns): File.php?0,file=1984,filename=Lasediode1-1Watt.jpg

Cost Estimate

- comercial 'naked' diodelaser with 8Watt@975nm and 0.1mm atached glass fibre: ~230 Euros (in quantities above 5 pcs).

- turnkey-system with 10Watts@975nm, a visible red pilot-laser and jack for the glass fibre: ~1000 Euros (in quantities above 5 pcs).

Components

1. Laser-source:

- CO2-lasertube ... sealed (RF) or 'naked' glass-tube

- diode-laser ... best with atached glass fibre (=pigtailed)

- ...


2. beam-feeding optics:

- mirrors for CO2-laser

- glass fibre (or lenses and mirrors) for diode-laser

- ...


3. focussing optics:

- Germanium- or ZnSe-lens for CO2-laser ... concave mirror is possible too

- 'normal' optical lenses for diode-laser

- ...


4. power-source:

- mostly monolithic PS, good when below 40 Volts for RF-CO2-lasers, 'naked' and DIY-CO2-tubes need above 1000 Volts

- constant-current-driver (e.g. more LM317 in parallel)

- ...


5. output-power controller:

- embedded in RF-CO2-lasers - mostly TTL-input capable of switching the laser output with some ten kHz

- current-modulation and/or PWM-switching for diode-lasers until some kHz

- AOM (AcoustoOpticalModulator) for diode-laser switching until some hundred kHz

- ...

Usage

Capacity/Specifications

Requirements

Power
Nitrogen tank or clean dry compressed air.

Health and Safety

Laser-goggles are essential when working with lasers!

Fumes and vapours are extremely toxic and carcinogenic!

When using inert (and other) gases in an enclosed room you have to test for leakage or monitor the oxygen-concentration in the room.