Building my own laser cutter

[Milzy Ray]

Hi, I have ordered my 1st item which is a linear rail mechanical set from cloudray and was wondering whiat are the differences in these ruida controllers apart from the prices to suit my budget

RDC6445G £220

Or

RDC6432G £140

Thanks

[Pete Cyr]

mostly updated firmware that will function withthe latest versions of RDWORKs.

[Dave Vigness]

I know the 6445G is a 4 axis controller, it will also handle 2 laser tubes vs. 1. With less buttons on the screen I would imagine it's meant to be run through software more than at the controller. Just a guess, but I would bet a bit less memory. The 6432 is probably a good controller, just not as fancy as the 6445.

[Milzy Ray]

Thanks for the reply guys appreciate it!

[Milzy Ray]

Just built my gantry, now to start on the inner and outer frame and wiring.

Just need abit of help with the plug I need to power the machine with. I got a emi filter that will connect to a ac 04 3 pin, was wondering what amp plug would I need (from the uk). Powering two 24v 75w power supplies.

Thanks

[Dave Vigness]

Power = current * voltage

Power / voltage = current

150W / 220V = .68A

Add in everything else, and I bet you still wouldn't get close to 10A, maybe not even 5A not including exhaust. Most of the US 'conversions' have the socket with the 10A fuses built in adding to that notion as well. Even on my 110V unit, I max out just under 10A including the centrifugal blower.

Question, do you guys run a 220 leg with a neutral and ground, or two 110 legs and a neutral with a separate ground ( earth ) wire? I'm curious because every 'converted' machine I've seen has two switched legs like it was originally wired to run two hot legs. For us in the US, 220 can be a three or four wire arrangement. If you only need 220, you have the two 110 legs to get the 220 and a ground. If you need both 220 and 110, you have the two 110 legs, a neutral and a ground.

[Milzy Ray]

Im trying to follow couple of youtube guides from
MWLaser (https://youtu.be/HXkQXkDmsMc)
and
Further Fabrication (https://youtu.be/3Cu8UdUm_3c)

I took on this project of building one rather than buying a built Chinese machine due to costs of import to the UK.

here is a diagram of the electronics

i believe the chiller has its own power plug, and for the exhaust i will have to come to that later.

[Dave Vigness]

Not sure on the UK power plug options, For the US, the 'normal' is 15A. The wall sockets will take anything less than that. Realistically you should be able to use what ever the normal wall plugs are. I seriously doubt you will be pulling that many amps, especially running 220. Twice the voltage equals half the amperage. That's why so many of us that get the 110V conversions have problems. When you drop the voltage, the wiring is on the ragged edge for current capacity.

[Frank Small]

Hello Milzy

You should be able to use cord that might power a large laser printer. I think you will find that your machine will not draw all that much current at the mains level. Unless you are running a water chiller and large extraction unit from the laser machine you will probably be drawing less than 5 amps. The UK plugs have a fuse in them and I think the standard is 13AMPS.

[Milzy Ray]

Thanks for replies guys, I'm not a electrician so thought I'll ask before powering anything up. I will purchase a cord with 13amps. Also the 3 pin socket has a 10amp fuse in it, is that normal? And the emi filter I got mistakenly Is 20 amp, the guides I'm following suggests 10 amp emi filter, wondering if that will be issue

Thanks guys