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  1. #1
    Join Date
    Jan 2011
    Posts
    129

    My laser cutting Machine build---180Watt CO2 laser

    My laser cutting machine project started life as a Shizoka B3-V VMC (vertical machining center).
    Although the 180 W laser tube was added, it still can operate as a VMC mill. The final lens hardware is simply removed first.

    The original control system was replaced with a Warp9.com ESS motion control, a CNC4PC.com C62 Breakout board and CNCdrives servo drives.

    I retain the original FANUC servos and encoders.

    A fourth axis was configured using a stepper motor and drive from CNC4PC.com. This 4th axis can be used for regular milling or laser cutting.

    The control software is MACH3. It runs on a windows 10 “all-in-one” 21 inch touch screen computer.

    The laser is a 180 W RECI W8. The power supply is also RECI. The tube water supply is chilled via with a 1600W Water Chiller.

    The laser components were purchased through Lightobjects.com

    The laser tube is 73 inches long and is mounted vertically with no mirrors, Just a final lens.

    At full power it will cut 5 mm plywood nicely at 140 in./min.

    It will cut 1/2 inch cast acrylic at 15 in./min.

    I would like to thank the following people for their help on my project.

    Arturo with CNC4PC.COM

    Andy with
    WARP9.COM

    Tweakie with WARP9.COM

    Marco with
    Lightonjects.com

    Photos will follow.
    — need help adding photos —-

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Jan 2011
    Posts
    129
    Quote Originally Posted by chuck767 View Post
    My laser cutting machine project started life as a Shizoka B3-V VMC (vertical machining center).
    Although the 180 W laser tube was added, it still can operate as a VMC mill. The final lens hardware is simply removed first.

    The original control system was replaced with a Warp9.com ESS motion control, a CNC4PC.com C62 Breakout board and CNCdrives servo drives.

    I retain the original FANUC servos and encoders.

    A fourth axis was configured using a stepper motor and drive from CNC4PC.com. This 4th axis can be used for regular milling or laser cutting.

    The control software is MACH3. It runs on a windows 10 “all-in-one” 21 inch touch screen computer.

    The laser is a 180 W RECI W8. The power supply is also RECI. The tube water supply is chilled via with a 1600W Water Chiller.

    The laser components were purchased through Lightobjects.com

    The laser tube is 73 inches long and is mounted vertically with no mirrors, Just a final lens.

    At full power it will cut 5 mm plywood nicely at 140 in./min.

    It will cut 1/2 inch cast acrylic at 15 in./min.

    I would like to thank the following people for their help on my project.

    Arturo with CNC4PC.COM

    Andy with
    WARP9.COM

    Tweakie with WARP9.COM

    Marco with
    Lightonjects.com

    Photos will follow.
    — need help adding photos —-
    What’s the trick for adding photographs here?

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Jun 2015
    Posts
    943

    Re: My laser cutting Machine build---180Watt CO2 laser

    There are some icons above the text box when typing a reply. Select the 3rd from the right which is the "insert image" and I think it is straight forward from there.

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Jan 2011
    Posts
    129

    Re: My laser cutting Machine build---180Watt CO2 laser

    Quote Originally Posted by OlfCNC View Post
    There are some icons above the text box when typing a reply. Select the 3rd from the right which is the "insert image" and I think it is straight forward from there.
    thanks,
    looks simple enough.

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Jan 2011
    Posts
    129

    Re: My laser cutting Machine build---180Watt CO2 laser

    Here are a few pics
    Attachment 425546

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Jan 2011
    Posts
    129

    Re: My laser cutting Machine build---180Watt CO2 laser

    Click image for larger version. 

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    Attached Thumbnails Attached Thumbnails IMG_1580.jpg  

  7. #7
    Join Date
    Jan 2011
    Posts
    129

    Re: My laser cutting Machine build---180Watt CO2 laser

    Click image for larger version. 

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Views:	1 
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ID:	425556

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