Air assist - shop air

[Ian Bell]

I've been looking through the posts about the ultimate air assist and recent posts about it improving the cutting ability/finish by reducing charring.

I have a compressor in my workshop, capacity I can remember at the minute, it's only really used as a "blow down" for the CNC, but i'm thinking of hooking it up for the laser. (Yes I have been using the chinese pump that came with the laser)

I have a filter/regulator/lubtricator unit that I plan to hookup inline to clean the air and provide lube for my air tools

I'm guessing i'll have to Tee off a feed to the laser, will it matter if it is after the filter/lube, will the lube cause any issues at the laser, i've never seen any mention of it in any posts.

I'll also need to suss the actual components I will need if I don't need to "control" the compressor just the outlet at the nozzle.

Is there a means of still providing a continuous minimal air flow through the nozzle to keep the lens clean while engraving.

Appreciate the help.

[Doug Fisher]

It wouldn't work for my down-tube configuration because I would not want lube passing by the underside of my lens and getting on the lens. Also, I would not want lubed air blowing down on to my cutting table or what I am engraving.

[Ian Bell]

It wouldn't work for my down-tube configuration because I would not want lube passing by the underside of my lens and getting on the lens. Also, I would not want lubed air blowing down on to my cutting table or what I am engraving.

Cheers Doug, that's what I thought but hadn't seen anything commented anywhere.

[Gene Uselman]

I would suspect that oil mist would make a pretty fireball. Let us know or take a picture

[Ian Bell]

I would suspect that oil mist would make a pretty fireball. Let us know or take a picture

Sorry to disappoint Gene, couldn't be bothered

Is it worth me buying one of the cloudray or china knock off air assist kits, or better work out which bits I need and gather them up

[Gene Uselman]

Cloudray's Ultra Air kit is Russ' design- they even made it a bit more compact- that is what I use. I add a couple buttons, one to cancel the air assist [the higher pressure] if set by mistake and one to turn on the air assist if [when] I forget to set it in the cut profile.

[Pete Cyr]

I have air run through out my shop and I run a very large air compressor …and to my laser……I have a small desiccant / oil separator and air regulator in line with the laser. I manually isolate air to the laser when not in use. I adjust the air regulator as needed for scanning or cutting. It is a very simple setup and easy to maintain.

[Ian Bell]

I have air run through out my shop and I run a very large air compressor …and to my laser……I have a small desiccant / oil separator and air regulator in line with the laser. I manually isolate air to the laser when not in use. I adjust the air regulator as needed for scanning or cutting. It is a very simple setup and easy to maintain.

I'm assuming no "ultimate air assist" then, just a clean supply from the compressor with possibly an external flow control. Wonder if you regulate the max pressure to the laser - what rating.

[Ian Bell]

Cloudray's Ultra Air kit is Russ' design- they even made it a bit more compact- that is what I use. I add a couple buttons, one to cancel the air assist [the higher pressure] if set by mistake and one to turn on the air assist if [when] I forget to set it in the cut profile.

Looks like the compressor supply is definitely the way to go, with a regulator/filter for air quality. I like the idea of on/off control at the programming stage, but still harbouring the idea that I prefer to manage the airflow to the machine.

How much pressure are people using during the cut process, is it vastly improving the cut finish, as this is where I am looking for the most benefit

[Pete Cyr]

Cloudray's Ultra Air kit is Russ' design- they even made it a bit more compact- that is what I use. I add a couple buttons, one to cancel the air assist [the higher pressure] if set by mistake and one to turn on the air assist if [when] I forget to set it in the cut profile.

Looks like the compressor supply is definitely the way to go, with a regulator/filter for air quality. I like the idea of on/off control at the programming stage, but still harbouring the idea that I prefer to manage the airflow to the machine.

How much pressure are people using during the cut process, is it vastly improving the cut finish, as this is where I am looking for the most benefit

The ultimate air setup is good but a bit overly complex for my needs………I am ok with operating a 90deg ball valve to port air to the laser and turning a regulator a 1/4 turn up or down to adjust air…way simpler setup.


I use 10-12psi to cut and 4-5psi to scan. I do not adjust the throttle valve on the laser head….I only adjust the regulator.
The air header in my shop is pressurized all the time…..the compressor is on a timer , off at 2200, on at 0800.