I'm Shocked By How Much Damage This Caused! - CO2 Laser Cutter Part 1
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 14 พ.ค. 2024
- In this video I'm fulfilling a long time dream. I'm building a 100W CO2 laser cutter from scratch. I bought a laser tube, power supply, mirrors, mirror mounts, focusing lens, and laser head. I wire everything up and give it a test fire with surprising results!
New videos are uploaded as soon as I finish them!
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Rob and Further Fabrication - / furtherfabrication
Components to build your own laser cutter (affiliate links):
Laser Tube: s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_AbAaEM
Power Supply: s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_9GYBy8
Mirror Mounts: s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_AfKcFI
Mirrors: s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_9i8xGk
Laser Head: s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_9wTo9a
Focus Lens: s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_AUGnKC
Safety Glasses: s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_A1Rp5O
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Now if only that laser could reach a target that's 100 feet away. If it cannot it's basically useless!
Don’t give the world powers that be a new way to burn down cities
Going to be honest, the Glowforge Pro is actually a roughly $2000 laser cutter that's been up-charged to $6000 and locks you into a proprietary software system that only works over the internet and could be killed or put behind a paywall at any time by the company. And the air filter system they made sucks. It's a metal box with a few filters thrown in, and it really just gets particulates out of the air. As far as I know there's no real scrubbing of noxious gasses with activated carbon. We have a Pro at work, and it can be a huge pain to work with, especially when the weirdly complex firmware hangs and the whole printer freezes and refuses to recalibrate for a few hours. I highly recommend building your own laser cutter or getting a system that is controlled by Lightburn or similar software. Something that you can actually own and control, rather than another piece of HaaS/SaaS bullshit.
PSA on laser safety beyond appropriate goggles being worn for the wavelength: The power density required to cut is the power density required to vaporize, which is far higher than the power density required to accidentally cause a fire.
That which a CO2 laser cuts when focused, it will set fire to when unfocused. Do not leave a CO2 Laser out of focus.
I was basically in the same boat as you, wanted a laser of about the same capabilities but didn't want to spend $10k. Then I found Rob's channel last year, and finally a few months ago took the jump. I'm just finishing my build now, and really excited to start making stuff with it.
That's awesome! I'd love to see pictures of your build!
@@bytesizedengineering
Can I use gt2 6mm belt for x and y?
Because it is only available in my place!
Awesome project! I'm looking forward to more videos about it. And congrats!!
On larger laser tables, the tube moves with the mirrors and head to keep the light path as short as possible. The longer the light path, the more likely smoke will block the light. But, on a small table using a big tube, it makes sense to keep the tube stationary.
I will definitely be following your build. Thanks for documenting and sharing.
Woo! Congrats on the new little one. This will be a fun series.
This video is really well done. I like the little "pew pew" segment in the beginning. I like how the laser was added to the video while explaining the mirrors. I even like how there was a video montage while you were shilling, lol.
0:32 😂
@@tEqUiko 😂
"Test firing the 100w co2 laser in 3, 2, 1... **cut scene**" I FREAKING KNEW IT! Half of me wants to close YT out of spite, the other OCD half of me needs to finish the video. Woe is me.
Yes!!!!! This is gonna be awesome! and congrats hope the move goes smoothly.
Thanks Jared!
I have also built my own CO2 laser cutter from scratch. Designed everything first in Fusion 360. My design requirement was to able to handle at least 12"x24" work area. Designed and 3D printed parts. Everything works great except that I went too big. Here in northern part of U.S. I only have about 5 months or less where weather is pleasant enough to be working out in the garage for my hobby use. I thought that I had enough space in the house but I only used occasionally for hobby and it didn't justify space it was occupying. So I'm redesigning to be much smaller machine size to fit in the corner of the house. I found out later that I really never needed to able to cut large size work piece. For anyone who have never worked with laser cutter, I would recommend that you first pick up those cheap Chinese K40 machine and play with it before committing to building large machine. Other alternative is to build a laser diode engraver/cutter first. They are much cheaper and less complex than CO2 but has similar gantry mechanism. You would get lot of experience and knowledge first before spending extra money on required equipment that CO2 system need. Then if you want to, you can go making large CO2, CNC and 3D printer like I did. For ideas and inspirations, check out the Openbuild's Build Categories page.
You're absolutely right. Built my first laser with 3030 profil. It was huge and never used the capabilities. Now i converted to a Y400 from "Further Fabrication" Works likes a charm and you hardly use ever more then 400x600 mm.
Alright! I've been waiting for this series since you said you were planning it at Maker Camp!
All the best with the project. Remember to also construct an exhaust system 👍🏻
Hey thanks so much for these inspiring videos, congratulations and good luck on the move.
Thanks Dave
Sick vid Zach!
I’ve had the experience of an unfocused 180W CO2 laser burn to my left hand just in front of my 3rd knuckle when I hit test fire with hand accidentally in the path between mirrors 2 & 3.
I don’t recommend it, happens very fast, didn’t hurt, perhaps more a tingle as nerve endings are destroyed almost instantly and then the realisation that the laser just let your own smoke out 😂🤣😂
Jfc terrifying
Heck yeah dude, Great to see you getting started!
Did you have that moment when you were opening the Laser Tube packaging thinking it's just going to be shattered pieces of glass?
I can't speak for Zach, but when I built mine I definitely had that moment. I left it in the wooden crate for as long as I could just to avoid discovering that it was DoA, haha. Thankfully it wasn't.
You know, I was actually quite impressed with the packaging. It was packed with foam supports inside a sturdy cardboard box. The cardboard box was wrapped in a thick air filled bubble tube, and the bubble tube was in a wooden box. It would have won if it was in an egg drop contest.
@@bytesizedengineering yeah when I opened the crate I was pretty impressed. And then there was more foam in the cardboard. The packaging weighed way more than the tube itself, and it was flawless of course. But while it was in the mail on its way to me all I could picture was a box full of broken glass. The post office wouldn’t leave it at my place because it was too big, and when I went to pick it up at the post office, the lady brought it out dragging it on the ground saying “wow, it’s taller than me!” and laughing and then just plopped it down. Just about had an aneurism.
If you pick up the box and it sounds like sleigh bells you know it's going to be a bad day.
If you pick up the box and it sounds like sleigh bells you know it's going to be a bad day.
Wish you all the best in the new chapter and congrats.🎈.
Thanks Ahmed
I was wondering why you are using the "third" mirror instead of having the second mirror move with the gantry? This seems to me to just add to the complexity of alignment and also make the beam travel farther which may cause less output in the end? interested in your response and design. Thanks and Congratulations on the new addition
Great question. Since my laser tube is so long I want it to run parallel to the x axis. In addition I want the y axis gantry short. Have a look at my fusion model in the video to see what I mean . You bring up great points and it's something I will experiment with. I haven't locked in my design. I got the extra mirror to try this set up.
Are you saying its possible to use just two mirrors?
@Sanusi Usman no... 3 total but he had 3 horizontal ones and 1 vertical. You only need 2 horizontal and one vertical
@@bytesizedengineering Having the tube parallel is nice but not really essential. As long as mirror one is firing parallel to the y axis down to mirror two then nothing changes along the x axis when it moves. The 4th mirror just seems like extra complication and more difficult alignment setup.
@@Graeme758 not only complication and alignment difficulty - it waste you precious watts of energy coming from the tube. And you don't want it.
Congratulations! Safe move & good luck.
Oh what luck, I am watching it in the future and there is a button right here to watch the next video!
is there a reason not to guide the laser through one of those optical laser cables they use for the 3000W rust removal lasers? It sounds more convenient and safer than a series of mirrors.. I'm asking that as an unrelated person that knows nothing about lasers btw..
This video is good timing, since I'm currently debating buying or building my own laser.
That debate has been going on in my mind for years and years
@@bytesizedengineering The big deciding factor for me is just where I can actually use the thing, which really limits the size on an off the shelf unit. Can't get the bigger one's down my basement stairs.
Congrats on the next child! And good luck in Arizona! Nothing like January weather to help make that kind of decision 😉
Thanks Dan! I miss hanging out with you and learning something new every time we talk!
@@bytesizedengineering I miss hanging out with you too! Looks like you are finding lots of cool things to do. Dennis Crossen was watching your channel a while ago, trying to build an arcade for his son.
Welcome back to AZ (at least, once you've relocated)! Funny story, I've been subbed to you for a while now and love the videos, but it wasn't until recently that I realized we lived in the same neighborhood in AZ & your dad was my YM leader. Anyways, love the content, keep it up, and congrats on the new addition to your family coming soon!
No way! What a small world! Was this recently that you lived in the same neighborhood as my dad?
@@bytesizedengineering My parents still live there, but it was about 15 years ago that your dad was my leader. If I recall correctly, there was a certain bishop that made a comment comparing you to a work horse or something before you moved out for a couple of years? Lol, trying to keep it vague here. I've added you on LinkedIn if you want to connect there (A.I.), would love to chat!
Congrats😀😀😀😀😀
Be safe, well be happy to wait
I will like to work withyou😁
As much as technically irresistible this is, I wouldn't dare to play with this.
I like how you doing test fire too he actually fired it again and didn’t show us because the suit mark got bigger with the jump cut he did.
I built one out of 2020v and 2040v extruded alum, large enough to cut 1/2 a piece of 4x8ft plywood. (so it cuts 4x4ft)...
When I first finished it, I was aligning the mirrors and stuck my head down to look into the focus head, and pushed the "Test" button which does a 1ms fire, and it hit me in the side of the head, and burnt all my hair off that spot, plus i got a really nice blister and it REALLY HURT for a 1/8" dot. lol
Thank you for showing us how you when to your local hardware store..
Care to show us what electronics you used and how you connected it?
Please, I have a problem with the laser tube. When I do a plus, the tube lights up and when I turn on, it does not light up and does not emit a laser. What is the reason? I changed a new power supply and the problem is still. Is the tube destroyed?
Cool video and project. A Stationary laser with a movable table would be easier i think.
How is it, sir, I have 2 laser tubes in one machine. When I work plus, the tube lights up, but when I start to operate the machine, the tubes do not light up, and I returned the design, there is no problem. I tried many jobs, the tubes do not work, I changed the power supply with a new one, which also does not work, so what is the solution and has the tubes been destroyed
For anyone interested, if you were to "Eliminate" the 1st mirror, and rotate the laser tube 90degrees so that the "2nd" mirror became the 1st, you'll get a stronger beam, as every mirror causes a small amount of degradation to the laser beam.
Also, for cooling, if you plan to run a long burn, using a bucket works, but the water will heat up. For my build I used a 480mm PC Cooling Radiator with a D5 pump and 4 cooling fans on the radiator, as well as a PC reservoir, to make filling and bleeding the system super easy.
Contrary to what you say, I bought a K40 400mmx 400mm and in a very short time I realized that it was very small, as well as having little power and speed to cut. I decided to build my own machine of 1000mm x 1000mm but with a variant, the tube and the cutting head move, in this way I take advantage of 100% of the power of the tube as there is no loss in the mirrors, I have only one mirror, I do not have to align or clean them. the tube is 60 Watts. For this area of work with the configuration that all or almost all machines come with. they come equipped with a 100Watts or 120 Watts tube.
juan cee: can you tell me how you did your laser with one mirror only? I saw CO2 tube sittin on moving gantry but there were still two mirrors.
@@The_Unobtainium El tubo en posicion horizontal, el cabezal con el espejo y la lente de corte en posicion vertical inmediatamente a la salida del tubo, 80 mm para poder limpiar espejo y lente de salida del tubo.
I’m wondering how much power, and what kind of laser that would be enough to ionize air along its path, but not necessarily do any cutting?
Hello sir what is recommended voltage stebilzar pls tell me
Maybe not the best idea to have the laser pointed in the same direction as your computer setup. A little bit too long on the button and you could go right through that plywood and into whatever is behind it.
Yeah.... my thoughts exactly. Even at that distance, it would definitely damage a LCD panel or other softer materials. Metal would fair better, but still get damaged quick.
Non-blacked out version of the intro AKA firing the laser at 8:48 .
Awesome video. I keep getting distracted by the section of brick wall in the background. Does that make me Artistic?
Thumbs up for the Arduino and SBC on the wall.
8:54 is the test that is cut off in the intro.
I think you will need look example of bodor laser like mine. It have only two mirrors and focusing head, and works perfect. But it is respectful if you will do own.
"There is a complete HOLE!" - Jordan, Real Genius
5:04 Why have that mirror? Just mount the laser tube so that it hits the mirror at 5:09 first. So we have 1 fixed mirror to reflect the laser along the Y axis. Then have another mirror at the end of the X-axis gantry. And finally a mirror to reflect downwards for the actual cutting.
PVC tube is OK for quick-n-dirty but will stiffen and harden with time. Good chance you will break the glass nipples. Try using silicone hose that stays elastic and is way more flexible. Cooling, many might look at PC Water Cooling gear as an option but in reality, most guys with big lasers will be investing in a water chiller unit.
Watch the video closely on the test, look at the inner tube, rear mirror is moving or warping, you see light hitting the front inner and moving.
You were lucky it did not pierce the wood and went straight to the monitor on your desk...
I use to work with lasers. Shortly I interviewed with an industrial laser company, I was introduced to a 5KW solid laser that could be operated in a panel truck. Shortly after a commercial aircraft blew up near Boston. Someone said they saw what was a missile. A 5KW laser would ionize air like the phaser in Star Trek..
Why doesn't the laser cut through or burn a hole through the mirrors? Just curious.
Do you have the source of the laser tube? I'd like that to get ready for my build! I already have a x/y arduino controlled gantry for foamboard cutting. Good luck with your move!
Thanks Scott. I just added links for all my components in the description. Hope they help!
@@bytesizedengineering I cant seem to find the links
Motor mouth; you’re perfect for cb radio.
Those import lasers tend to have a large amount of Chinesium in them.
What about patents ? How do I get one ?
looks like I'm about to have to DIY a laser cutter, styropyro where you at?
Try a white piece of ceramic tile.
Screw terminals are designed for bare wires. The reduced contact area with ferrules will melt your connector over time. I find out the hard way.
Making your own balloon popper, eh? LOL
I am just so intrested in where to buy the giant arduino and the raspberrypi on the wall because they are soooo dope
Pls help
@5:50 I think you are using one more mirror than you need. If you put the 2nd mirror on the y-axis carriage instead of having it fixed at the end. Apart from using one less mirror you will also have a much shorter light path.
I was thinking the same thing. But it depends upon the gantry arrangement. He demonstrated a setup where the gantry is vertical, it moves horizontally, and the carriage on the gantry moves vertically. In the setup you're describing, the gantry is horizontal, it moves vertically, and the carriage on the gantry moves horizontally. His setup requires a shorter gantry, though it requires longer support rails on top and bottom. Your setup requires a longer gantry, but shorter support rails on either side. There are pros and cons to either approach.
@@Mueller3D I see what you mean but I still think shortening the light would be more important than shortening the moving gantry. The longer gantry would mean a little more inertia and less rigidity but that is quite easily compensated for if even it is necessary to at all. Unlike with a 3d printer or CNC mill the 'cutting head' is very light and doesn't need much structure to avoid vibration and such.
super power , laser
And look at the device called the laser pecker well that in the south would be a way to expand the size without having to expand the frame just make the thing move around..
Razors super cheap 12 or 24 V 2 to 5 A run it several hours on high current 18 650 batteries honestly tell me your specifications I’ll draw that for you with laser diodes
hello wpuld like to build co2 laser to cut mild steel upto 10mm area 1220 by 2440, any assistance
For mild steel, you'll want to use a fiber laser, water jet, or a plasma cutter. A CO2 laser isn't the right approach
Does anyone else get the irony of the text on the bucket?
I'm in the process of building my first CNC machine. Then I got to thinking... "I wonder if I could build my own CO2 Laser Cutter?".
Well, here's my next project. LOL Thanks for the info. I'll go check out Further Fabs videos as well.
LOL My 100 watt tube is way longer than that one... heh! mines bigger! I think its 1650mm long. I built my laser for about 4 grand Canadian. I went big and have a full 1.5 x 1.2 meter cutting area. I ordered most of the parts on ebay and built it around the AWC708 DSP. It came with janky software that completely sucked and made the laser cut all funny. Upgraded to lightburn and the rest is history. The laser is awesome and I use it all the time.
I havent seen if anyone else posted this, but why are you using 4 mirrors? if you make the first one stationary, but let the second one move on the y gantry, you can lose the 3rd mirror, and keep the 4th to fire downwards.
that is probably for keeping the machine dimensions smaller
Not that this is how these are mounted or controlled, but for a dose of extra ridiculous, I'd love to see that hung vertically on a matching scale 3D printer platform.
anyone else notice magic new suit appear above the test fire hole like a jump cut at 9:00?
Bucket of water isn't best cooling solution you need to add liquid radiator maybe small car one
8:50 is when the video starts
Are you aware of the 271 watt diode laser? Been out a few years.
Well talk to this gentleman right here my name is Michael Kress a.k.a. Yoda One.. and my friends call me laser mike I’ve been playing laser since mid 70s..
YUour explanation of the morrors has one too many mirrors. Number 2 mirror should mount on the end of your X axis and move with it. This would eliminate your # 3 mirror!!!!!
I am kind of surprised that the beam coming out of the CO2 tube is collimated... 🤔
If it is not, you might come up with focusing problems that are dependent on the position of the stage (because of the difference in optical paths depending on the position of the stage). Just starting the series now so let's see if I am right.
The laser beam is not culminated coming out of the tube. There is a lens in the laser head that focuses the beam
@@bytesizedengineering You exactly describe the situation in which the focusing would be position dependent 😅
Oh well, see for yourself if the beam divergence will be small enough to not cause you any problems!
Cant agree with the Further Fabrication comments. Im half way through Robs build, if goure watching this great video totally recomend you look there too
Whats would it cost to build one capable of cutting .25" to 1.0" aluminum or steel?
$100k
th-cam.com/video/EJR1H5tf5wE/w-d-xo.html
🔥🔥🔥
8:50 It starts here. 2 black dots a little bit of fire and smoke. Thats it.
Some people just want to watch the world burn.
Then you just move up to Q switching we can take a Laser of a couple 10 watts And easily q switch it to 1.5 kW Very short post but very effective many laser solid-state diode Oh my goodnesslasers that operate better 8:50 pulsedoperation
Why is the laser light spinning in circles inside the tube. Shouldn’t be going straight through
One mirror is redundant in your design. The first mirror is stationary, the second must move along the Y axis, the third along the X axis
If those goggles aren't for the right wavelength your vision is gonna change. Are you seeing any spots which weren't there before?
th-cam.com/video/-nzeyWrPamg/w-d-xo.html
Not to mention all the funny UV-C you fire in all directions by the gas tube every time. People without a clue should not play with theese things.
What would it cost me to build a laser capable of 1/8" to 1.0" aluminum or steel?
He would need to look into either a fiber laser or a water jet for that
You may not realize the best insulator of electricity is pure water better than glass better than rubber silicone what have you on route one to 100 and scale glass is like 10 some of the best porcelain silicone rubber might be 15 or 20 pure water is like 65 or 70.. how pure the water is is important do you think..
And I went right to 25 watt pulse laser diode.. Which I believe cost I believe $18 from digikey Electronics about 1976
Is this the Mad Scientist channel?! 😁😆 What are you trying (or hoping!) To build or create with that laser?
To answer that question, you could simply watch parts 2 through 6 of this series
For a mad scientist you want styropyro th-cam.com/video/IzUoe-9bKa0/w-d-xo.html
@@1pcfred I see!!
option 5 buy a used one
Scary high-voltage water chiller.. special optics to manipulate the beam because you’re probably not gonna be doing a lot of moving around of the laser itself big and bulky..
yes expensive 80 W laser under $200 another $50 on improved optics the output lenses.. attach it to a CAD frame for another hundred dollars you’re in business professionally speaking been there done that just picked up a 40 watt four I believe it was $51.. A few more dollars heiresses tabs blow some smoke out of the way of the cut all the miscellaneous of the laser around $100 for 40 W engrave stainless or burn your neighbor 10 15 20 feet away
Then you can move up to diode pumped YAG rods or down pump .. Yes and the water will be running through the laser and you happen to be cooling it and if something touches one of those electrode things might just kill your ass just saying I played with helium neon lasers and that’s was 2150 V at 5.5 to 6.5 mA bit one time I was jittery my arm was twitchy for well over an hour.. That’s like playing with an electric dryer outlet to 20 yeah got bit once there too and ended up 12 feet on the other side of the room in ICU the big flash that nobody else seen.. Again lucky I wasn’t dead
Not proved that hole comes out :(
These high powered lasers scare me a bit. I'd love a laser cutter but I don't want to spend $$$ and I don't think I'm at the point where I could build one. Maybe one day.
8:53 ahahah you didn't pre-pump the water through the laser before you fired it.
Yes I did
Yeah water chiller
Once upon a time a 7 W argon laser and a 10 or 20 W CO2 laser CO2 laser virtually require no complicated optics both require water cooling kind scary with all that high voltage and water chilling making both expensive I’ve got a 40 W laser that I paid I want to say $51 for and that is they describe is 10 W optical.. and incorporate it into the cad scanner 3-D and all you need is perhaps a roller if you want to engrave round objects glasses bottles cans baseball bat
if this can cut stone you can try to build a pyramid :)
evidently you are not aquainted with styropyro :)
I have an electric generator that I need a patent for. It uses no resources to operate and produces ac 110v 20 amps 220v 40 amps as well as dc 12 volt 12 amps and 24 volt 24 amps.. I call it the Nosys all inclusive electric generator.
Next step: sharks with laser beams.
Sharks with frickin laser beams!
I don't see a hole.. I see a burn mark..