Your Recommendation for Epilog Laser "Air Curtain" Pump

[Scott Memmer]

Hi, All.

I'm relatively new around here, and completely new to laser cutting.

Almost a year ago I lucked into a ridiculously good deal on an almost-new (total of 30 hours on the machine) Epilog Zing Laser. This is their entry-level machine, rated at 30 watts.

I've had such a busy year that I'm just now setting it up. I'm almost done with setup, except in the owner's manual I just read about needing a small pump to push air through what Epilog calls its "Air Curtain." Excuse my newbie status, but I'm not sure if this is a generic laser term or a term Epilog uses in-house.

Here's their description from the owner's manual:

The air curtain is used for vector cutting applications where there is a need to keepcombustible gases away from the cutting surface. This helps to reduce charring,scorching and flaming when vector cutting materials such as wood, rubber, acrylic,and other flammable materials. The air curtain directs a constant stream of air acrossthe material surface at the point of burn, directing the air both down and back towardsthe exhaust vent.Vector cutting should never be performed without the use of the air curtain.Air Curtain PumpThe air curtain pump can either be purchasedthrough your Epilog representative or you canconnect your existing air supply into the ¼inch (6 mm) receptacle at the back of themachine (60 PSI max).The Air Curtain should always be activatedduring vector cutting operations to reduce the risk of fire.

A good buddy of mine who has worked with laser a lot says the air flowing through the pump should be very clean, so it is advisable to not use a standard air compressor.

I already have a very strong exhaust fan, but I will be cutting mainly plastic, not wood, so I would want the air curtain running as well.

Does Harbor Freight sell anything that would work? And if not, could someone perhaps post some links to pumps that would work. I'm sure the Epilog branded pump is two to three times the cost of what's out there.

Thank You,
sm

[Bruce Volden]

I've heard of people using an aquarium pump and tubing positioned @ focal point to blow back "smoke" toward the exhaust. They seemed to think it works for them.
I have an inline exhaust that moves lotsa air.
Haven't really found anything to keep smells down (leather, plastics...)

Bruce

[Scott Memmer]

I've heard of people using an aquarium pump and tubing positioned @ focal point to blow back "smoke" toward the exhaust. They seemed to think it works for them.
I have an inline exhaust that moves lotsa air.
Haven't really found anything to keep smells down (leather, plastics...)

Bruce

Bruce, thanks. One possibility.

I also have a very powerful inline exhaust that really rips. However, it's possible I might be lasering Acrylic, which is specifically known to be flammable, so I want to cover all my bases.

Yes, I hear both leather and Acrylic smell pretty awful. I suppose I'll find out.

Thanks So Much,
Scott

[Rich Harman]

The "air curtain" that Epilog uses on their low end machines is not the same as the typical air assist that most lasers have. You can use any standard air supply up to 30 psi (per Epilog).

You'll get much better performance by adding a proper air assist that shoots the air right into where the laser is cutting. Like in this picture, it is the curved tube;

legend-lens.jpg

[Scott Memmer]

The "air curtain" that Epilog uses on their low end machines is not the same as the typical air assist that most lasers have. You can use any standard air supply up to 30 psi (per Epilog).

You'll get much better performance by adding a proper air assist that shoots the air right into where the laser is cutting. Like in this picture, it is the curved tube;

legend-lens.jpg

Rich, apparently I lack permission to view photos. Could I PM you my email address?

Thanks,
sm

[Rich Harman]

Rich, apparently I lack permission to view photos. Could I PM you my email address?

I don't think you can view photos or PM without becoming a contributor. Becoming a contributor is very low cost (six dollars!) and the value of knowledge on this site is... well, there is nowhere else that has so many experts on lasers - not to mention all the other areas of SawmillCreek.

You can find the photo on Epilog's website, but I think that six bucks a year is pretty darned reasonable.

[Scott Memmer]

I don't think you can view photos or PM without becoming a contributor. Becoming a contributor is very low cost (six dollars!) and the value of knowledge on this site is... well, there is nowhere else that has so many experts on lasers - not to mention all the other areas of SawmillCreek.

You can find the photo on Epilog's website, but I think that six bucks a year is pretty darned reasonable.

Rick, yikes, I had no idea it was that cheap. I just contributed $20 and I'm all set.

I'd still like to hear what I might use to move the air. I'm trying to hold price down right now, but I'm open to looking at everything.

Thanks,
sm

[Chris Thomason]

I would recommend an aquarium air pump. Search ebay for commercial ones.

The normal pumps that come with Chinese lasers are pretty much identical to the aquarium pumps in metal housings that are listed for $60-$80. My trotec actually has an air pump that looks almost exactly like these as well.

[Scott Memmer]

I would recommend an aquarium air pump. Search ebay for commercial ones.

The normal pumps that come with Chinese lasers are pretty much identical to the aquarium pumps in metal housings that are listed for $60-$80. My trotec actually has an air pump that looks almost exactly like these as well.

Chris, thanks, that does sound like a good way to go.

I'll find one and probably post a photo and a link for people too see before purchasing. .

sm

[Scott Memmer]

aquarium pump.jpg

I would recommend an aquarium air pump. Search ebay for commercial ones.

The normal pumps that come with Chinese lasers are pretty much identical to the aquarium pumps in metal housings that are listed for $60-$80. My trotec actually has an air pump that looks almost exactly like these as well.

Excuse my ignorance, but I assume the pump I'm seeking is like this one -- that is, I want an EXTERNAL pump that does NOT submerge in the tank, correct?

Like This?

Thanks,
Scott

[Rich Harman]

Something like that should work okay. Actually, maybe not for the air curtain. The air curtain has several air holes so it might need to have a higher airflow to be effective. If you were to add a proper air assist and ditch the air curtain then that pump should work okay.

It seems like the recommendations that are being given here are not taking into account that you do not have a normal air assist like most of us use. Here is a picture of Epilog's "air curtain";

zing-air-curtain.jpg

No, you do not want it to be submerged. I am not aware of any air pumps that are meant to be submerged, the output is commonly submerged for aerating fish tanks or ponds though.

I use a Gast 71R twin cylinder compressor (no tank), the same type as you would find in those quarter operated air pumps at gas stations, but those are a few hundred dollars.

Gast 71R.jpg

[Chris Thomason]

That’s the pump I was talking about. But after seeing Rich’s photo, I had no idea about what air curtain was. Might need something else.

[Scott Memmer]

Boy, I'm having a heckuva time finding a pump for application. The closest I've found (and may have to go with) is this HF. Ideally I'd like something much smaller and quieter.HF small compressor.jpg
https://www.harborfreight.com/1-6-hp...sor-93657.html

Will this work my application, at least temporarily, until I can afford a better one? My cutting and engraving work will be very light for the first 3-6 months.

Thank You,
Scott

[Jerome Stanek]

I bought a California air 1 gallon compressor that runs really quite and only $100

[Scott Memmer]

I bought a California air 1 gallon compressor that runs really quite and only $100

Thanks, will check it out. About what size is it?

sm