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 žinch (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