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General
- Owner/Loaner: LVL1
- Serial Number: Serial Number
- Make/Model: Rabbit QX-80-1290
- Arrival Date: 8/23/2014
- Usability: Yes
- Contact:
- Where: Common Room
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About
- 80 Watt Laser
- 1200 mm x 900 mm cutting area (~4'x3')
- Currently configured with a Standard 55mm Focal Depth lens.
- This is a "Compromise" lens: Okay at cutting, okay at engraving, but great at neither.
- We have a "Premium" 55mm lens in stock also.
Manual
Important Laser Guidelines
- Do not use the laser without being trained. Ask questions. If you have any doubts, refrain from lasering.
- If the laser is moved, it must be recalibrated. Laser calibration is a long and difficult process.
- Install the laser tube with the water outlet facing up.
- The laser is intentionally pulled a couple feet from the wall for access.
- The laser control software will not work without the USB dongle installed. This dongle is a $250 device.
- Do not set power higher than 85% or lower than 10%. Higher power simply saturates the power supply and results in no benefit. Lower power does not lase.
- If a fire begins, open the laser lid immediately. This interrupts power to the laser.
Where to find information
Acceptable File Formats
- DXF (Autocad 2002 or 2004 format)
- BMP
- JPG
- Others
- NOT SVG. SVG is NOT usable.
How to use the Laser in Table mode
- Turn on the laser.
- Home the X and Y Axes by pressing the "X-Y 0" button. If the laser doesn't home, ensure that the machine is not in "Jog" mode. If any menu item is highlighted, the machine is not in "Jog" mode.
- Jog the Z Axis until your material will fit under the laser head.
- Jog the home switch of the laser head over your material. Ensure the laser is in "Jog" mode by pressing "Esc" under no menu items are selected.
- Home the Z Axis by pressing the "Z 0" button. The Z axis will automatically back off to the correct focus point.
- Open the "Laser Cut Table" software on the laser PC.
- Import your project, or draw a test shape. (It is HIGHLY recommended that you test your cut settings on scrap material before attempting a real cut).
- In the upper right-hand corner, set the laser power and speed settings. Use the settings in the manual as a guideline.
- Click "Calculate" to generate G-Code.
- Click "Download" to send G-Code to the laser.
- On the "Download" menu, press, "Delete All," followed by "Download Current." This ensures that your project is the only one loaded on the laser.
- Jog the laser head to the upper-right corner of your intended cut area.
- Press the "Test" button to see the area that will be cut by the laser. Ensure that your material is lined up correctly.
- Close the lid of the laser.
- Press "Start" to begin cutting.
How to use the Laser in Rotary Mode
Future DIY Upgrades
- High pressure air assist using shop air
- Design instructions in manual
- Rotary Enlongening
- A custom aluminum bottom plate for the rotary would easily add length.
Troubleshooting
- If "Immediate" mode doesn't seem to work properly, try downloading the config again.
- From the "Download" menu, press the "Download Config" button. The laser will be unresponsive for a few moments. Wait until the menu responds to input before uploading your laser file.
Maintenance Log
- 8/23/2014 - Received Laser
- 9/8/2014 - Cleaned lens, inspected lens mirror.
- 9/27/2014 - Installed carbon filter, exterior venting.
- 11/04/2014 - Cleaned main lens. Not particularly dirty.
Maintenance Schedule
- Based on observation, this schedule is 3x the length of the "estimated" schedule recommended for full-time laser shops.
- Every three weeks - Clean the main lens.
- Every three months - Clean the lens mirror.
- Every six months - Clean the X-axis gantry mirror.
- Every nine months - Clean the Y-axis mirror.
- Every year - Clean the laser output lens/mirror assembly.
- As needed - Lubricate the linear slides with 3-in-1 oil (or similar light machine oil).
- As needed - Clean crumbs out of crumb tray.
- As Needed - Replace coolant water (use distilled water only).
Maintenance Tips
- Add a couple of tablespoons of roundup to the coolant, and it won't need changed as often.
