1600x900 twin head 150/40w

[Greg Paul]

I’m currently building a steel frame laser. I priced out aluminum and it was 20 time more expensive than steel and welded joint was more appealing than screws and clips.

[Gene Uselman]

Hi Greg- this is a very ambitious project- good for you. I have a Chicom Built 1300x1800-2 Acctec that I have about a year in use with. Also have a 900x1300 in storage. These large machines are a world unto themselves, many issues that you do not see with smaller machines. I converted the Acctec to a single tube as both supplied tubes were bad. I would be happy to chat with you about my discoveries- Gene

Here are some pictures- mine is/was a 130W and 80W https://www.aliexpress.com/item/32919302357.html

[Greg Paul]

I have never worked with laser, so I don't have any intelligent questions yet but will appreciate any suggestions. Thanks

[Gene Uselman]

My first suggestion is to build the machine to accommodate the second [smaller tube] but do not include it at this point. I have never had smaller than a 130w tube and have never needed the 'finesse' of a smaller tube. I have many many pictures on the forum of very intricate laser projects if you look around. I am really jammed up for the rest of this month getting ready for a month on vacation- I will have lots of time during Feb. and can share my thoughts with you if you want them. Gene

[Greg Paul]

I’m putting linear bearings supports and ball screw for bed support on back of machine so front will be open with no brackets across bed. Thanks for reply. I have the Cloudray tube’s already and want to incorporate both tubes in design. Getting bed strong enough to support weight is going to be my first challenge.

[Gene Uselman]

My bed is a blade bed with an inverted pyramid with a dust pan that pulls out at the bottom middle- bed is all steel and heavy- I ended up replacing the steppers and stepper drivers because what they used was not up to the task. With a large bed leveling is even more important and difficult. I have a cutout on one stepper driver so that I can drive one side up or down to level from side to side. Front to back is mechanical and rarely needs to be checked but with two motors and drivers... it does drift off. We ordered with a honeycomb bed on top of the blades- enormously heavy.

[Greg Paul]

I’m going to use one motor and hope linear bearings keep it aligned. I’ve purchased slates so that what the bed will be.

[Gene Uselman]

One motor would be wonderful... I do not see how this will/can work but it appears you have experience with this kind of construction. I am thinking you meant slats rather than slate? Gene

[Greg Paul]

I’m using gas springs to off set some of the weight of bed. Thanks for correcting slats. My third grade education showing through. I hope this picture clears up my thoughts on counter balancing weight. Thanks

[Greg Paul]

I have questions about the auto focus that I got from Cloudray. When auto focus runs does it set z to zero and can you change z after auto focus in light burn software. Sorry for stupid questions but I have not seen how the software works. The second question I have is the different mirror heights stay the same for each mirror or they constantly changing. Could different heights be set up for different mirrors with auto focus. Thanks again