Not sure if/what I did wrong and how to correct it.
If this is a diode laser I would change to mm/m in settings window.
Frame it so it’s centered.
Slow the text speed down and power.
See how that works.
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I think that’s part of what’s messing me up. I haven’t figured out how to perfectly Center the material yet? I can click “Frame” and get a general sense, but I have to eyeball it.
I think once I have it centered, I can adjust the settings based off the test burns
You can turn on the laser during FRAME and frame continuously. Both of those will greatly aid the alignment.
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Enable in device settings.
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Enabled now!
I’m also going to burn a grid into the table I’m about to make to house it. Should make life really easy if I can get the base large enough for the whole engraver to sit on it.
I spent the money to get a metal platform for my diode. About 100.00, not strictly needed, but it does offer repeatability for placement and if I burn through a cut (or engrave a mirror) - there is no possibility of setting the metal on fire. It also has ribs in it to allow smoke and debris to exit from the cut.
I like to make jugs out of cardboard from Amazon boxes, stapled to a scrap wood that has a nice square corner to index into the metal frame. Easy to change projects and get very good re-alignment.
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I have a Honecomb grate.
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Ok! You are on the way to laser greatness. Have fun and show us your work when you can. We love to see you succeed.
I have tables to flip rn.
Lines Wavy
Characters(Letters/Numbers) seem to be duplicating
It appears to be doing a decent job cutting
But everything else is a little rough.
I assembled it with the belts pretty tight, so I don’t think the gantry is shifting. Speed maybe?
Which is an indication of mechanical backlash. Tight belts are one thing, but there’s plenty more to fix.
This tuneup guide was written for Sculpfun lasers, but you’ll recognize most of the mechanical parts and places to check:
Basically, you’re looking for anything loose, from the setscrew holding the pulley onto a motor shaft, to the laser head mounted on the belt follower. Do not assume that the machine was correctly assembled at the factory, as other folks have found stripped screw threads and mismatched components.
Run that test pattern as you find and fix problems, because until the machine can run it without distortion, there’s more trouble to be found.
Upload good photos of the result so we can look over your shoulder.
Good hunting!
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Changed to MM/M
Also, tightened bolts & Belts. Got my best looking test yet. Cutting performance wasn’t quite as good as the first attempt. But same holes punched out with minimal force.
Top looks much better.