CNC and Laser Same Wood

[timgwells (Tim Wells)]

This more an intellectual question then something I want to do right now. Could one take piece of wood and place at laser machine coordinates 10,10 (but home would be set to 0,0) do the laser thing and maybe put a laser circle to act as an alignment tool then move that wood to the CNC and have home aligned with the lasered alignment circle and have CNC cuts aligned as expected?

I don’t know for sure but would hope mm in one matches mm in anything? Seems reasonable other then a belt is stretched or breaks

Thoughts? Does anyone have real-world uses for this kind of duo processing?

[MikeyH (Mike Hembrey)]

If you have limit switches on both machines and use absolute coordinates, AND you allow for the Home position corners used, it should definitely work.

If MillMage will work with your CNC mill, that would be even better. You can copy your drawing back and forth between Lightburn and MillMage. That is what I did when I made my first part with an early version of MillMage.

@timgwells

anyone have real-world uses for this kind of duo processing?

I can surely envision an object that has both machine engraving and laser etching on it, and I am hardly an artist.

[Woodcraft (John Matteson)]

@timgwells

this kind of duo processing?

My process starts with machining the part on the router.

If adjustments are needed afterward, I find it far simpler to fine-tune the LightBurn file rather than remachining the entire part.

[timgwells (Tim Wells)]

Yes, precisely. A great example. I get the CNC part first. Do you use part of the lid shape as an alignment point or have a jig to physically hold the lid into on the laser?
Thank you for the example.

[Rick (Technical Evangelist)]

Suggestion: You could produce a CNC project with registration marks (pins) and use the centers of those to ‘Print & Cut’ in LightBurn. Simpler still, use a jig cut from cardboard in LightBurn to hold the part cut from MillMage and line it up that way.

[Woodcraft (John Matteson)]

Yes, I use the part’s profile for alignment—since I usually make one-off pieces, this method works well.

If I were producing a larger batch, I’d switch to using a jig.

For one-offs, I just score the profile onto a scrap piece of MDF and use that to align the part.

[timgwells (Tim Wells)]

Now to get Sainsmart to put two devices onto one gantry (laser head and spindle) with automation to account for differences in XY. I’m probably getting ahead of myself.

[soniclab (Jeremy Hutchinson)]

I often do this. I simply tape some cardboard to my laser bed and cut the outer shape. Then pop my part into the cardboard template and burn with 100 % accuracy.

[MikeyH (Mike Hembrey)]

@timgwells

Sainsmart to put two devices onto one gantry (laser head and spindle)

They did, almost. It is called the 3018 Pro and came with a 5w variable focus ( ) laser. The laser fit in grooves cut in the spindle motor holder. And yeah, it was a PITA switching back and forth.

@timgwells

automation to account for differences in XY

Home would account for the difference. You would just have the actual start position in different places. I would want them aligned along the Yaxis because that usually has more travel range.