Our New (second hand) LS3040 Laser Cutter

[llamalasers]

We have our work cut out getting it going, already have discovered that the base plate and some of the nylon rollers are knackered and need replacing, have a quote for the parts and it looks like an easy fix. For a machine that was supposedly used for 6 hours (ha) the optics are looking like they need replacing but despite all this the laser still cuts but I'm sure it's nothing near as efficient as it should be but I have nothing to gauge that theory by. No idea how much life the laser has left in it but we'll cross that bridge when it comes.

Sounds like I'm moaning, but really I'm looking forward to getting our machine going, I'll love it more once it's done through love, sweat and tears.
Just hope I'm capable of getting everything lined up right.

I have a few other questions about controlling the thing and using LaserScript 5.3 but I'll ask them in good time.


Thanks for reading my woes

[PhillyDee]

Ask away! Daven is probably the best one for those machines, having 2 of his own.

[Daven]

Ask away! Daven is probably the best one for those machines, having 2 of his own.

Mine are 3060's Phil

Sure we can help anyway so post away

Cheers
Dave

[llamalasers]

I think the 3040 is in the same cabinet as the 3020 pro.

Intending to get a 3060 in the future if things go well with this one.

[PhillyDee]

Oops, easy mistake, it began with a 3 . . . . .

[llamalasers]

Yey, back again.

Got the baseplate and rollers from HPC at last and fitted them, everything is tight and right now.
Managed to get my beam aligned too, not sure if it's optimum but it's working.



I have looked everywhere and cannot find a decent list of speed and power levels for my 40W machine depending on materials.

Is cutting 3mm (mirrored) acrylic, at speed 3 power 100 wrong, it feels wrong but so far it's all that will cut through it. Engraving seems to be okay at speed 200 power 30 but again I have no clue as to what the limits or guides are?

For the most part I will be cutting 3mm acrylic and 3mm ply, any help regarding this would be much appreciated.

[Daven]

You should be looking at about 13mm/s at around 60% to cut 3mm acrylic - sometimes high power has the opposite affect - don't ask me why though

speed 200 is about as fast as I do engraving - the faster you go the greater the strain on the belt and servos..

Cheers
Dave

[llamalasers]

Hi Daven, thanks.. looks like we're running at about half power then.. I managed to get a neat enough cut at 6.5mm/s with 80% but any less power or any faster and it's not making it through. I am pretty much sure its the lens and mirrors that are at fault, the previous owner didn't look after the machine very well. I'm giving it all the TLC I can now but I guess more money needs to be chucked at it soon

I only have this mirrored acrylic to test on at the moment, will be putting an order in for materials this afternoon.


In another thing I tried cutting coloured card (160gm2) at 100mm/s 50% and it worked wonderfully.

[Daven]

Cut and engrave mirror from the back - reflections coming back from the mirror may harm the optical train (overheating).

Clean lens and mirrors can make a big difference, if they are scratched etc it's worth replacing. Clean the mirror at the output end of the tube as well but be vary careful how you do it.

Best
Dave

[llamalasers]

Well that didn't work I'm afraid, caused flames and made a mess of the front of the mirror.



I've been monitoring the water temperature and it's pretty stable so I think it's okay.


I've given the mirrors and lens another clean and seem to be getting much better speed/power now.
10mm/s @60% which is fantastic considering.