Taking Care of the 60 watt Laser

[Shane]

I seem to be the only one willing to clean the laser cutter on a regular basis.

When I came in after a long morning at Lennox, I found that no one had cleaned it since I had on the 18th (although one attempt was made but abandoned due to a need for more training...this, I appreciate). I know that it's been in use plenty since then.

When I took it apart, it looked horrible.  The spot that was caused due to focusing issues early on appears to have grown larger.

I cleaned everything as best I could (including replacing the missing screw that holds the air-assist nozzle on; thanks, Rich.) and put it back together.

What should have been a single-pass cut (yes, for another type of cut-out box) took multiple cuts which, of course, resulted in charring.  Even then, it still didn't cut all the way through.  The piece was destroyed during my attempt to extract it via X-acto knife.

I've had no problem cutting these things before, so I am forced to assume it was due to the damage on the lens as I had manually checked the focus and everything was fine.

Please, people.  These things aren't cheap and I don't know what we'd do without them.

Recognize that expensive tools require maintenance.  If you haven't been trained in cleaning the laser cutter, then don't use it.

At this point, I'm all for having an RFID lockout on the thing to keep records of who's been using it.  I'd also like to see the people who've been using it but not cleaning it, pony up for a new lens, but I'll leave that open for debate.

Thank you.

[Kevin Crowley]

I favor small robots with 500W laser rifles as guards  or 50kw lasers as bars around the cutter until you leave a retina scan and a dna sample.

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[Pete Prodoehl]

Thanks for cleaning it Shane... I've not used it in a month or so, but yeah, if we need to be more strict about it, let's come up with a plan.

Pete

[Steve Pilon]

I used the laser on the night of the 21st and did clean it, I just neglected to record it now that I think about it. 

On Saturday, October 27, 2012 3:43:57 PM UTC-5, Shane wrote:

[Jerry [HM]]

unfortunately.. I have 'never' used it yet...     

 

 

 

</tear>

 

 

 

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[jason gessner]

so shane, what is the state of the laser?  After cleaning is it functioning properly?  Do we have cleaning instructions on the wiki or posted next to the machine?  Do we need to pick up anything to have the proper cleaning supplies?

I haven't used the machine in 6 weeks because it has either been occupied when i've been there or it has been broken.  I have time off this week and want to cut my simple project from 8 weeks ago, but am currently unclear on if it is worth the attempt or not.

How can i help?

-jason

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--

-jason

[Shane]

People are supposed to be getting trained in person on how to clean
the machine.

I suppose having posted instruction couldn't help, in order to remind
people.

I plan on coming in for a bit today to mess around with it and see if
I can get it cutting properly. I talked to Tom and he thinks that
part of the reason may be because of the cheaper lenses we got from
China.

I'm going to talk to him and maybe I can learn how to replace a lens.

As it is, it should be okay for etching, but I wouldn't try cutting
wood with it just yet.

I'll keep you informed....

On Oct 28, 9:50 am, jason gessner <ja...@multiply.org> wrote:
> so shane, what is the state of the laser?  After cleaning is it functioning
> properly?  Do we have cleaning instructions on the wiki or posted next to
> the machine?  Do we need to pick up anything to have the proper cleaning
> supplies?
>
> I haven't used the machine in 6 weeks because it has either been occupied
> when i've been there or it has been broken.  I have time off this week and
> want to cut my simple project from 8 weeks ago, but am currently unclear on
> if it is worth the attempt or not.
>
> How can i help?
>
> -jason
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>

> On Sat, Oct 27, 2012 at 7:33 PM, Jerry [HM] <whispers...@hotmail.com> wrote:
> > **

> > unfortunately.. I have 'never' used it yet...
>
> > </tear>
>
> > ----- Original Message -----

> > *From:* Pete Prodoehl <ras...@gmail.com>
> > *To:* milwaukee...@googlegroups.com
> > *Sent:* Saturday, October 27, 2012 5:25 PM
> > *Subject:* [MakerSpace] Re: Taking Care of the 60 watt Laser

[Pete Prodoehl]

Instructions on the wiki would be good... even though I've been trained in person, just like jason, I've not used the laser for quite some time, so having notes to remind me would be good.

How is the 25 watt laser doing? If the 60 is only etching and not cutting right now, can't we utilize the 25?

Pete

[jason gessner]

*le sigh*

the saga of the laser cutters is one filled with sadness.  

Wiki instructions are good - in person training for everything is great, but good docs are essential.

Shane, let me know how it goes today.  I need to etch *and* cut, of course, so i am not even going to bother attempting anything until i get some sort of an all-clear from you.

-jason

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--

-jason

[Jerry [HM]]

Maybe the winning strategy for the contest? 

 

http://hackaday.com/2012/10/28/makibox-turns-plastic-pellets-into-3d-objects/

 

 

[Ed Hagopian]

I check it every single time I use it. It takes all of two minutes to verify things aren't sketchy. The two minutes it takes to check the glass saves you the possible 10-30 minutes on having to lay down additional passes.

[Shane]

I concur. I always check it first. Usually clean it, too, unless it
appears that it hasn't been used.

[jason gessner]

are the instructions for cleaning written on the wiki yet?  I took a quick look and didn't see them.  I will happily clean the laser if someone tells me how to do it!

-jason

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-jason

[Shane]

I'm of the opinion that, while instructions should be up, a video
demonstration is a necessity.

I will volunteer, if someone will record me.

As to written instructions, I'd like Tom Go. or Jason H. to write them
up so we can be sure not to forget anything.
(I can't write instructions to save my life.)

[jason gessner]

how about a written stab at it first?  I would love to go over and get some cutting done today but i am convinced it will be a waste of my time.   Written instructions are better than nothing, for sure!

-jason

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-jason

[Shane]

I concur. Refer to my previous comment.

What material are you cutting? I was, ultimately, able to cut through
the 3 mil. Baltic Birch with a little tweaking. Also, apparently
acrylic is cutting now. The laser might not be at full capacity, but
if you use a test piece to adjust your settings, you should be just
fine.

[jason gessner]

i don't want to muck around with it too much.  I want to walk in, load a file, hit print and leave with my stuff.  :/

It sounds like spending a few hours is currently my only option, which probably means i will find something else to do instead.

-jason

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-jason

[Tom Gondek]

Either of u at the space now?  I could come down and check it out.

 

Tom

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[jason gessner]

i could be over there this afternoon, say around 3 or so.

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--

-jason

[Shane]

I'm not sure if I'll make it in today. I'm trying to get some files
ready so that I can do a whole bunch of stuff at once.

On Nov 2, 10:44 am, jason gessner <ja...@multiply.org> wrote:
> i could be over there this afternoon, say around 3 or so.
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> On Fri, Nov 2, 2012 at 10:42 AM, Tom Gondek <tgon...@hotmail.com> wrote:
> >   Either of u at the space now?  I could come down and check it out.
>
> > Tom
>

> >  *From:* jason gessner <ja...@multiply.org>
> > *Sent:* Friday, November 02, 2012 10:36 AM
> > *To:* milwaukee...@googlegroups.com
> > *Subject:* Re: [MakerSpace] Re: Taking Care of the 60 watt Laser

>
> > i don't want to muck around with it too much.  I want to walk in, load a
> > file, hit print and leave with my stuff.  :/
>
> > It sounds like spending a few hours is currently my only option, which
> > probably means i will find something else to do instead.
>
> > -jason
>

[Pete Prodoehl]

First stab please!

Even if it's something as simple as a list... just think of what you are going to do when there is a video, and write it out... would it look like this?

1. Make sure laser is powered off.
2. Open lid, slide to middle.
3. Remove front red panel on laser carriage.
3. Remove lens assembly.
4. Clean lens with cleaning solution and cleaning paper.
5. Re-assemble.

If this is wrong, or I missed steps, please correct it!

Heck, I'll get it all on the wiki if someone can just outline the basic steps.


Pete

On 11/2/12 10:19 AM, jason gessner wrote:

> how about a written stab at it first? I would love to go over and
> get some cutting done today but i am convinced it will be a waste of
> my time. Written instructions are better than nothing, for sure!
>
> -jason
>
>
> On Fri, Nov 2, 2012 at 10:16 AM, Shane <Imp...@hotmail.com
> <mailto:Imp...@hotmail.com>> wrote:
>
> I'm of the opinion that, while instructions should be up, a video
> demonstration is a necessity.
>
> I will volunteer, if someone will record me.
>
> As to written instructions, I'd like Tom Go. or Jason H. to write
> them up so we can be sure not to forget anything. (I can't write
> instructions to save my life.)
>
>
> On Nov 2, 9:59 am, jason gessner <ja...@multiply.org

> <mailto:ja...@multiply.org>> wrote:
>> are the instructions for cleaning written on the wiki yet? I took
>> a quick look and didn't see them. I will happily clean the laser
>> if someone tells me how to do it!
>>
>> -jason
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>> On Fri, Nov 2, 2012 at 9:47 AM, Shane <Impe...@hotmail.com
>> <mailto:Impe...@hotmail.com>> wrote:
>>> I concur. I always check it first. Usually clean it, too,
>>> unless it appears that it hasn't been used.
>>
>>> On Nov 2, 9:32 am, Ed Hagopian <edhagop...@gmail.com

> --
>
>
>

[David Buggs]

Pete:

I concur.  However, following the steps listed in the user manual upon removing the 3 (actually only 2 were present) thumbscrews the red cover did not want to budge.  The manual said to pull it straight out.  I pulled with some force and it didn't give.  At that point rather than pulling harder and ruining something I put the cover back on and made a note on the cleaning log.  Given this a video would be much better at showing exactly the method to use to open and then clean the optics.

Buggs

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[Shane]

Yeah, for now you need to remove the two screws towards the bottom of
the plate, too.

These hold on to the lens-holder. In order to get that out, there is
a technique to gently pry it out, but it's surgical because you must
make sure not to scratch the lens....

...And this, then, is why I want to make a video. :D

> > > On Fri, Nov 2, 2012 at 10:16 AM, Shane <Impe...@hotmail.com
> > > <mailto:Impe...@hotmail.com> <Impe...@hotmail.com>> wrote:
>
> > > I'm of the opinion that, while instructions should be up, a video
> > > demonstration is a necessity.
>
> > > I will volunteer, if someone will record me.
>
> > > As to written instructions, I'd like Tom Go. or Jason H. to write
> > > them up so we can be sure not to forget anything. (I can't write
> > > instructions to save my life.)
>
> > > On Nov 2, 9:59 am, jason gessner <ja...@multiply.org

> > > <mailto:ja...@multiply.org> <ja...@multiply.org>> wrote:
> > >> are the instructions for cleaning written on the wiki yet? I took
> > >> a quick look and didn't see them. I will happily clean the laser
> > >> if someone tells me how to do it!
>
> > >> -jason
>
> > >> On Fri, Nov 2, 2012 at 9:47 AM, Shane <Impe...@hotmail.com
> > >> <mailto:Impe...@hotmail.com> <Impe...@hotmail.com>> wrote:
> > >>> I concur. I always check it first. Usually clean it, too,
> > >>> unless it appears that it hasn't been used.
>
> > >>> On Nov 2, 9:32 am, Ed Hagopian <edhagop...@gmail.com

[Pete Prodoehl]

Naw, it's cool... I could shoot & edit the video, but probably not for another week or two.

In the meantime, and written instructions might help people get familiar with the procedure. ;)


Pete

[jason gessner]

i'm at the space now and i am going to see if i can make anything work.  Wish me luck!

-jason