Makers' Alliance Wiki

Current Status: Sort of operational (It's a K40…)

Specifications:

• Power output: 40 W (theoretically, anyway)
• Cutting area: Clamp area is 8“x4”.
• Coolant: currently a mix of distilled water and RV antifreeze (3:1 ratio), a few drops of algicide, and a few drops of dish soap.
• Exhaust: Fume extraction via a BOFA AD-Access fume extractor/filter

Fixes implemented:

• Bad connection on the power inlet between the hot and fuse. Re-soldered.
• Jumpered water break detection since detector is NFG.
  • Test again with new coolant pump to make sure it wasn't just low flow?

Fix needed:

• need to replace K+/K- cable. We should have a pile of the correct kind in the through-hole connector bin (hooked up to thermistors, but one can be sacrificed for this)
• Figure out proper solution to water break sensor (a: try better pump? b: replace sensor?)

Laser does work, though not yet from triggering on the front panel (or via Gcode)

Software: I suggest K40 Whisperer, as the LaserDRW thing it came with is not so hot.

Usage: It's not ready for production jobs yet, so DON'T USE IT. We're getting there…

Safety considerations: https://techbravo.net/hosting/knowledgebase/4191/CO2-Laser-Engraver-Safety.html

• NO ABS - Cyanide gas is bad for you!
• NO PVC OR VINYL-BASED MATERIALS - Chlorine gas is bad for you!
• Wood and Acrylic are OK. ATX Hackerspace has a recommended list of materials here- don't consider it gospel just yet, but a series of recommendations.

Power levels:

• Wood (engraving) - 8%
• Acrylic - 25% was great for engraving, but slightly insufficient for cutting (the cut edges did snap off easily, though)

Upgrades to consider in the near term:

• Dedicated computer w/ K40 Whisperer?
• Fire Extinguisher done
• Air assist (pump acquired, need to get tubing/fittings/etc.)
• honeycomb base (http://www.scorchworks.com/Blog/spring-loaded-k40-laser-platform/ for a good way to do it)
• Thermometer & flow meter for cooling pump (i.e. https://www.amazon.com/Thermometer-Cooling-Liquid-Cooler-System/dp/B074SDFW51/ref=sr_1_3?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1521656040&sr=8-3&keywords=LED+Thermometer+3+Way+Flow+Meter+FlowMeter+For+Water+Cooling+Liquid+Cooler+System) ordered
• improved chiller pump done
• improved exhaust fan? Fume extractor seems to be doing a good enough job?
• Better coolant flow detector? The one it came with is either non-functional, or our pump isn't pumping hard enough. Flow meter definitely needed
• E-Stop button (do we have one on hand?)
• Smoke detector/CO detector nearby?

Upgrades to consider eventually?:

• improved controller board (Smoothie? DSP?)

Documentation dump:

• Information about the power supplies used in these: https://www.everythinglasers.com/forums/topic/power-supply-info/
• more power supply info: http://donsthings.blogspot.com/2016/06/k40-s-laser-power-control-interface.html
• Person who has done tons of mods: https://techbravo.net/k40/