Difference between revisions of "Laser Cut Gainesville Hackerspace Keychains"
Jump to navigation
Jump to search
Line 24: | Line 24: | ||
==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: | + | |
+ | ====Setting up the machine:==== | ||
# 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 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 | + | ====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* | ||
Line 39: | Line 40: | ||
# Enable machine power in Linux CNC by clicking the yellow '''Machine Power''' icon in the top toolbar | # Enable machine power in Linux CNC by clicking the yellow '''Machine Power''' icon in the top toolbar | ||
# Home Laser Cutter by clicking the '''Home All''' button. | # Home Laser Cutter by clicking the '''Home All''' button. | ||
− | Starting Engrave Step | + | ====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. '''Make sure you are wearing polycarbonate safety glasses from this point on.''' | # Press laser engage button down to enable the laser. '''Make sure you are wearing polycarbonate safety glasses from this point on.''' | ||
# Click the '''Run''' button in LinuxCNC to start engraving. | # Click the '''Run''' button in LinuxCNC to start engraving. | ||
− | Loading Gcode for Cut Step | + | ====Loading Gcode for Cut Step==== |
# Once engraving is finished, load the cut step by clicking the '''folder''' icon, and find the *_Cut.nc file for your acrylic size | # 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 '''Run''' button in LinuxCNC to start cutting. | # Click the '''Run''' button in LinuxCNC to start cutting. | ||
− | Final Steps | + | ====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 |
Revision as of 12:45, 3 November 2018
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.
Creating Toolpaths in CamBam
<Coming Soon>
Premade Gcode Files
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:
- /machinekit/Desktop/Hackerspace Keychains/Ruler_15count_196x156mm_0pt008in_Engrave.nc
- /machinekit/Desktop/Hackerspace Keychains/Ruler_15count_196x156mm_0pt008in_Cut.nc
How to cut using the Laser Cutter
For more detailed steps, see K40_Laser_Cutter.
Setting up the machine:
- Turn on power strips connected to the laser cutter
- Ensure water is flowing through pump below 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
Insert Acrylic into Laser Cutter
- Insert the (-3,-3)mm Jig into the laser cutter
- 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.
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).
- Start linux CNC by clicking on the LinuxCNC icon on the desktop, and select *execute*
- Click the folder icon, and find the *_Engrave.nc file for your acrylic size
- Enable machine power in Linux CNC by clicking the yellow Machine Power icon in the top toolbar
- 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.
- Press laser engage button down to enable the laser. Make sure you are wearing polycarbonate safety glasses from this point on.
- 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 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
- Click the Run button in LinuxCNC to start cutting.
Final Steps
- Turn off laser by making sure the laser button is up
- Remove keychains and cut acrylic from the laser
- Close LinuxCNC, close VNC viewer.
- Turn off power strip for the laser