Differences

This shows you the differences between two versions of the page.

--- lasercutter [2023-07-05 18:57] – simon
+++ lasercutter [2025-02-22 16:01] (current) – [Prices] simon
@@ Line 12: / Line 12: @@
   * [[lasercutter2|Laser Cutter #2]]
   * [[lasercutter_tips_and_tricks|Laser cutting tips and tricks]]
+**Save your project file on the local disk if it's very complex otherwise the software will be slow (because the latency of the network share slows down the compile process).**
 ===== Materials =====
@@ Line 35: / Line 38: @@
 ===== Prices =====
-Usage is charged by cutting time: £0.09 per minute (£5.40 per hour) for members, £15 per hour for non-members. You don't need to pay for a full hour if you don't use it.
+Usage is charged by cutting time: £0.09 per minute (£5 per hour) for members, £15 per hour for non-members. You don't need to pay for a full hour if you don't use it.
 Materials cost between £1.50 (3mm MDF) and £13 (6mm acrylic), per 300x600mm sheet. [[lasermaterials|See the pricelist]]. You may provide your own materials as long as they are suitable for laser cutting.
@@ Line 143: / Line 146: @@
 ===== using AutoCAD or other CAD software =====
-Save a DXF file, selecting AutoCAD DXF R12 to R14 format.
+Save a DXF file, selecting AutoCAD DXF R12 to R14 format. R14 seems to work better.
 ===== Beam Alignment (DRAFT) =====
@@ Line 325: / Line 327: @@
 -07-04:
-  * "The red laser tube is replaced and works!
+  * Tube has been replaced with an SPT Laser tube C60.
+    * Rated power: 60w; Max power: 80w; Warranty: 5 months (last at least until 2023-12-02)
+    * https://www.megacold.uk.com/products/lasertubec60/2238954000000647085
+    * It was measured to run at 55W, 10mA. Power supply setting kept at 36%.
+    * Driving a higher power tube at a lower power will hopefully give a longer lifetime
+    * It was ordered 2 July, arrived and installed on 4 July
+  * 320 hours for the previous laser tube (rated 40w)
+    * Laser timer/lifetime counter: "It's not easy to get at right now. The database behind https://toolstatus.ehlab.uk/ has all the raw data but I never got as far as making meaningful reports for it. I think it's been 98 hours since April 2019 when the old meter was removed." - timh
+  * Water has been replaced. The tubes have been cleaned a little bit but had a lot of brown dust, which TKerby thinks may be biofilm
+    * "we may want to use distilled water plus a wetting agent and biocide - there are plenty out there for lasers. Otherwise in the  attic there is a UV water decontamination on decommissioned air con we use. Brown dust suggests we need to better seal the containers…" - TKerby
+    * "I would suggest changing the water every 6 months" - Miron
   * the speed/power table now needs to be sped up about x2 because it was made when the laser tube was aged a bit already
   * 3mm plywood cuts reliably at 15 speed 100 power
-  * the water and inside of the previous laser tube was quite dirty, I would suggest changing the water every 6 months"
-  * <tim> So that's 320 hours for the old tube, which is disappointing.
+  * Mirrors cleaned and realigned
-  * <tim> The old tube was calibrated to the rated 40w. Is it a good idea for the new one to be run at 55w?
-  * <martling> What is the rating of the new tube?
+-08-01:
-  * <martling> The PSU and the optics should be good for >40W but we shouldn't overdrive the tube, we already got poor life out of the last one.
+  * PC replaced - was: Pentium 4, 3GB RAM, 256GB HDD; now: i3-7100T, 8GB RAM, 256GB NVMe
-  * <Miron> https://www.megacold.uk.com/products/lasertubec60/2238954000000647085
-  * <Miron> Rated power: 60w; Max power: 80w; Warranty: 5 months
-  * <tkerby> What was the muck in the water? Was it biological sludge or just dust that had collected?
-  * <Miron> brown dust
 {{tag>equipment}}