Hi folks,
So since my first thread post on here regarding software issues with my new Triumph 50W laser (TR6040) I have now ironed out most of the issues, and in many cases found workarounds to the quirkiness of it all! The USB interface is glitchy as hell. Every second or third time I try to upload to the machine I need to pull the USB cord and plug it in again. Weird...
Anyway! The reason for this thread is related to focusing the final laser lens/nozzle on this machine. I am getting a rather wide cut on the 4mm plywood that I use the most, and on close parallel cuts 3mm apart the material just goes up in flames sometimes. This does NOT happen on an Epilog 45W that I have been using for years. I have found that "tricking" the auto-focus system and making it focus 4mm lower than it should has helped a bit with the burning issues.
So far Triumph have been rather unhelpful really. I have been put in contact with an After-Sales Manager who seems to give me tips that just do not make sense. I have asked for information on how to focus this final lens, as it's position can be moved in relation to that final mirror above it. He states that the Z axis/table can be moved up and down to focus the beam, but he is missing the point. This will not affect the relationship between the mirror and the lens! I only wish that there was a comprehensive manual for their products. Or is there an independent wiki somewhere that frustrated users have compiled so as to share the golden knowledge of lining up these machines?
There are printed graduations on the side of the tube that holds the final nozzle. The auto-focus switch is attached to this tube and when focused should apparently sit 13.5mm above material surface. Does anyone have a good method for focusing this final nozzle/lens? Maybe if I shoot the beam into a super thick piece of plexi I could then see the shape of the beam as it goes through... hmm
Another big issue I have had is that the X and Y axes are not running perpendicular (I was shocked to say the least). They then sent me a PDF relating to a totally different machine, and have not given me any proper pointers as to how to fix this other than suggesting to tighten the belts. In much frustration I went looking myself and adjusted one end of the X carriage to correct this misalignment. Loosened one collar on the central stepper motor that drives the Y axis and moved the right side down slightly. Now it is pretty close to square. Anyone with wise pointers towards this issue? I would be glad to hear from you :-).
Overall, how have other people's experiences been with small Triumph co2 lasers? When I mentioned the XY squaring issue they said that this "happens a lot in shipping"... hmm ok...