josh kruse
12-03-2013, 4:58 PM
hi everyone, i am new here. i just received my Chinese k40 40w laser cutter in the mail. i finally got the lenses all aligned and figured out the basics on it.
so far i have removed the bed and made a larger one, i am also working on an adjustable mod. while it is not the best machine, it gets the job done and im happy with it ($575). when i first tried cutting cardboard it wouldn't cut, only burn. i then realized it wasn't at the correct focal length. so that is now fixed. i tried cutting 1/8 inch poplar wood last night on a setting of 12ma. it took about 10 passes before it cut through it but it came out very chard. so...
1, what is the optimal strategy for cutting wood of 1/8 inch (no air assist yet, is this affecting cut time/burn?) ??my machine has the capability for changing cut speed through moshidraw.
2. what type of cheap air assist can i use? a aquarium pump? any ideas?
3. what is the highest i can safely turn the power up to. can i turn it all the way to 30ma on the gauge?
4. for cutting, should i use multiple passes of high speed/ low speed with low power to reduce char? or is there a better route?
5. any free graphic software out there that exports in correct formats to use with moshi? coreldraw is 130 bucks and i would rather try something free.
6. can i keep my laser cutter in my garage? i live in illinois and temps go below zero. i am concerned about the tube. i think it might crack from the heat when turned on. so i was thinking about running warm water through it before use or heating with a heating blanket so the glass doesn't crack.
sorry for all the question. i have lurked for a while here and know there's some very knowledgeable people here that can help me. thanks everyone.
josh
so far i have removed the bed and made a larger one, i am also working on an adjustable mod. while it is not the best machine, it gets the job done and im happy with it ($575). when i first tried cutting cardboard it wouldn't cut, only burn. i then realized it wasn't at the correct focal length. so that is now fixed. i tried cutting 1/8 inch poplar wood last night on a setting of 12ma. it took about 10 passes before it cut through it but it came out very chard. so...
1, what is the optimal strategy for cutting wood of 1/8 inch (no air assist yet, is this affecting cut time/burn?) ??my machine has the capability for changing cut speed through moshidraw.
2. what type of cheap air assist can i use? a aquarium pump? any ideas?
3. what is the highest i can safely turn the power up to. can i turn it all the way to 30ma on the gauge?
4. for cutting, should i use multiple passes of high speed/ low speed with low power to reduce char? or is there a better route?
5. any free graphic software out there that exports in correct formats to use with moshi? coreldraw is 130 bucks and i would rather try something free.
6. can i keep my laser cutter in my garage? i live in illinois and temps go below zero. i am concerned about the tube. i think it might crack from the heat when turned on. so i was thinking about running warm water through it before use or heating with a heating blanket so the glass doesn't crack.
sorry for all the question. i have lurked for a while here and know there's some very knowledgeable people here that can help me. thanks everyone.
josh