Editing Laser Cut Gainesville Hackerspace Keychains
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Keychains are a great gift to give guests visiting the Hackerspace, and it is a great project to learn how to use the laser cutter. The GCode has already been created for a few different sizes of acrylic, so if you want to skip straight to cutting you can start with [[#Premade Gcode Files|Premade Gcode Files]]. | Keychains are a great gift to give guests visiting the Hackerspace, and it is a great project to learn how to use the laser cutter. The GCode has already been created for a few different sizes of acrylic, so if you want to skip straight to cutting you can start with [[#Premade Gcode Files|Premade Gcode Files]]. | ||
| + | [[File:HackerspaceKeychains.jpg|border|right|480px|4 Keychains with Acrylic Paint]] | ||
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==Premade Gcode Files== | ==Premade Gcode Files== | ||
| − | GCode files have already been created for the following sizes of acrylic | + | GCode files have already been created for the following sizes of acrylic: |
| − | + | === 196mm x 156mm, 0.008" thickness. 15 count, 1h 20m cut time=== | |
| − | + | Creates 15 keychains with Rulers. | |
| − | + | Uses the (-3,-3)mm jig | |
| − | + | Acrylic: | |
| − | + | * Cut 0.008" thick acrylic into a 196mm by 156mm sections | |
File locations: | File locations: | ||
| − | * | + | * /machinekit/Desktop/Hackerspace Keychains/Ruler_15count_196x156mm_0pt008in_Engrave.nc |
| − | * | + | * /machinekit/Desktop/Hackerspace Keychains/Ruler_15count_196x156mm_0pt008in_Cut.nc |
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==How to cut using the Laser Cutter== | ==How to cut using the Laser Cutter== | ||
For more detailed steps, see [[K40_Laser_Cutter]]. | For more detailed steps, see [[K40_Laser_Cutter]]. | ||
| − | + | Setting up the machine: | |
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# Turn on power strips connected to the laser cutter | # Turn on power strips connected to the laser cutter | ||
# Ensure water is flowing through pump below the cutter | # Ensure water is flowing through pump below the cutter | ||
# Turn on main motor power with the main red rocker switch on the cutter | # Turn on main motor power with the main red rocker switch on the cutter | ||
# *Check that laser is off* by making sure the laser button is up | # *Check that laser is off* by making sure the laser button is up | ||
| − | + | Insert Acrylic into Laser Cutter | |
# Insert the (-3,-3)mm Jig into the laser cutter | # Insert the (-3,-3)mm Jig into the laser cutter | ||
# Remove any film from both sides of the acrylic to be cut | # Remove any film from both sides of the acrylic to be cut | ||
# Insert the acrylic into the laser cutter, making sure to press the corner tight against the (-3,-3) jig. | # Insert the acrylic into the laser cutter, making sure to press the corner tight against the (-3,-3) jig. | ||
| − | + | Loading Gcode for Engrave Step | |
# Connect to the laser cutter by using VNC on a desktop (or laptop), and connecting to the IP Address of the laser (should be 192.168.1.16). | # Connect to the laser cutter by using VNC on a desktop (or laptop), and connecting to the IP Address of the laser (should be 192.168.1.16). | ||
# Start linux CNC by clicking on the LinuxCNC icon on the desktop, and select *execute* | # Start linux CNC by clicking on the LinuxCNC icon on the desktop, and select *execute* | ||
| − | # Click the | + | # Click the *folder* icon, and find the *_Engrave.nc file for your acrylic size |
| − | # Enable machine power in Linux CNC by clicking the yellow | + | # Enable machine power in Linux CNC by clicking the yellow "Machine Power" icon in the top toolbar |
| − | # Home Laser Cutter by clicking the | + | # Home Laser Cutter by clicking the "Home All" button. |
| − | + | Starting Engrave Step | |
# Set the laser's power level to ~2.5mA, which is about 9 o'clock on the power knob. Adjust slightly if needed. | # Set the laser's power level to ~2.5mA, which is about 9 o'clock on the power knob. Adjust slightly if needed. | ||
| − | # Press laser engage button down to enable the laser. | + | # Press laser engage button down to enable the laser. *Make sure you are wearing polycarbonate safety glasses from this point on* |
| − | # Click the | + | # Click the *Run* button in LinuxCNC to start engraving. |
| − | + | Loading Gcode for Cut Step | |
| − | # Once engraving is finished, load the cut step by clicking the | + | # Once engraving is finished, load the cut step by clicking the *folder* icon, and find the *_Cut.nc file for your acrylic size |
# Set laser power 10mA, which is just before midnight on the power knob | # Set laser power 10mA, which is just before midnight on the power knob | ||
| − | # Click the | + | # Click the *Run* button in LinuxCNC to start cutting. |
| − | + | Final Steps | |
# Turn off laser by making sure the laser button is up | # Turn off laser by making sure the laser button is up | ||
# Remove keychains and cut acrylic from the laser | # Remove keychains and cut acrylic from the laser | ||
# Close LinuxCNC, close VNC viewer. | # Close LinuxCNC, close VNC viewer. | ||
# Turn off power strip for the laser | # Turn off power strip for the laser | ||
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