Can you reply to the questions in post 112? I’d like to better understand the current state of the machine.
it appears location could be the problem
Hello Jack, please dont think I am attacking you guys, I appreciate all your help its just frustration on my part, the machine does work its obviously been knocked of its axis during all these changes, this is what i cut this morning
If location on bed changes the quality of burn then that’s likely still an alignment issue.
Can you provide photos demonstrating alignment at each of these locations:
- M1
- M2 near
- M2 far
- M3 with head at top-left of machine
- M3 with head at top-right of machine
- M3 with head at bottom-left of machine
- M3 with head at bottom-right of machine
- Photo of pulse on material where the bottom of nozzle pressed into medium. You should be able to clearly see the impression of the nozzle orifice on the material as well as the resulting pulse. The intent of this is to check for centricity of beam through nozzle.
will do this, as a matter of interest do the pictures I sent you have any significance to what I am doing, as of 1 week ago I was able to do an almost perfect cut with one pass using an old file from my Ruida panel… Sam
Are you referring to the ones you posted earlier? If so, to me those demonstrate generally degraded performance and what looks like an issue with multiple passes not tracking. However, it’s important to first make sure you have good alignment if it’s already known that performance across the bed is inconsistent.
What are the differences between last week and this week? Are you using a different file? Is it a different location on bed? Try to isolate as much as possible. If nothing is different other than time then it could indicate a hardware failure. However, based on the other things you’re saying it sounds like there’s still opportunties left on the table. In particular, you should be able to at least get consistent performance across the bed whether that be consistently good or consistently bad.
Additionally, the artifact you’re showing where multiple passes don’t seem aligned is a problem. That will likely not be related to a potentially failing tube. I’d suggest getting all the basics right first and then determining potential need to change out the tube. It seems very likely that your tube has indeed degraded but not clear to me that it’s the predominant issue that you’re facing immediately.
Hi BerainLb have completed all the tests you requested see attached pics.
- M2 near
- M2 far
- M3 with head at top-left of machine
- M3 with head at top-right of machine
- M3 with head at bottom-left of machine
- M3 with head at bottom-right of machine
- Photo of pulse on material where the bottom of nozzle pressed into medium. You should be able to clearly see the impression of the nozzle orifice on the material as well as the resulting pulse. The intent of this is to check for centricity of beam through nozzle
Hi Berainlb is this ok for you regards Sam
It’s not obvious to me which images correlate to which tests. Can you label these with the actual test locations or something else more obvious?
At a minimum, some of these tests show potential problems. For example, the nozzle test seems not to be centered. The test marked “3 Far” may be significantly off-center depending on which test this is.
Is this how things looked last week or whenever you completed alignment or has this drifted?
2 and 3 mirrors far and near shows the difference, the the final one is below the laser head 2, and 3 show they need adjustment also the one beneat the laser head shows it needs adjustment
Is this showing marks for tests both where mirror 2 is near and far away from mirror 1? Not clear to me.
For mirror 3, check whether the center of the entry hole indeed represents the center of the angled mirror. It’s entirely possible that the entry hole does not in fact line up to mirror. In that case, you may need to aim at a different portion of the entry hole.
It’s not apparent to me whether or not you’re showing M3 alignment at every corner of the bed. Top-left, top-right, bottom-left, and bottom-right. If you do a pulse test with the same piece of tape across the 4 corners, do all the marks overlap? If not, something needs to be aligned.
Also, can you confirm whether or not you’re seeing the alignment drift or is it possible that full alignment was never initially achieved?
mirror 3 far and near… …I have not done a pulse test at all four corners, you are right, I only did mirror 3 at far left and far right corners
For mirror 3, check whether the center of the entry hole indeed represents the center of the angled mirror…
I tried using a clear cellphone tape and it was too difficult to read. I will do those tests again, thanks for pointing this out… Sam
Also, can you confirm whether or not you’re seeing the alignment drift or is it possible that full alignment was never initially achieved?
I think now that full alignment was never initially fully achieved…
lets hope I have learned something here…
going to buy this tool it looks great…
CO2 Laser Alignment Tool get perfect beam alignment from …
Hi Guys I am finally back from Jun 26 this year haven’t used my laser since we last spoke, yes I did purchase American Photonics Reverse laser alignment tool, first one sent wrong size, returned to Sarasota and they resent right size its now November and just got new replacement laser alignment tool, many things happened during this time hospital visit minor stroke, everything OK, trip to Seattle to visit Daughter and son-in-law fantastic time back in October, installed laser pointer American Photonics great device.
But now I am at square one, Memory loss or maybe old age or both.
beam lines up perfectly, but laser will not Fire/Burn so need some help, maybe from installing the new laser beam.
Note: Friendly reminder from LightBurn team - No Politics - Comment removed.
Glad you are OK!
You say laser will not fire? Do you see any scorch marks at mirror 1?
What was the ‘new laser beam’ that you installed? did you install a red light pointer? Please show a photo of that.