LaserUser.com Forum (formerly RDWorksLab)

Hi Light-lovers

I hail from Perth WA Australia. I have a 700x500 80w Laser to accompany my 12x 3D Printers and shed-full of other fun toys. I'm a Senior Network (IT) Specialist, Electronics Engineer and run an Australian Online Store selling 3D printing Parts and consumables.

Was hoping to find someone with a similar laser as the previous owner of the laser nuked all the settings on the controller.. I have it all working but I'm sure it's not optimal and can be improved.

After finding some totally horrific, borderline negligent wiring, I just finished re-wiring everything and made it all safe and to code.

Tim

Welcome Tim- this is a common problem and we have help- look for a forum titled Rescue files and you should find something similar to your machine. I think I have a thread on there about comparing the Vendor files with Notepad++ which should help you. I am also a 3D print enthusiast, I bought several machines before ending up with the best one, a Prusa MK3 which I have upgraded as Jos comes out with improvements. He does not advise his latest upgrade unless you are experiencing problems but I am sure I have hundreds of hours on mine so I decided to tear it down and check everything and install the latest goodies. I finally completed it this weekend and look forward to testing it. I also have a Prusa Mini which feeds my 3D print need in the meantime- also a great small printer. Gene

I have 6 MK3s's in my farm Great work-horse printer.

I found the rescue files, mostly the same as to what I had already worked out. Some things I'm not certain on is what the "Laser Freq" is meant to be, most have it set to 20Khz and also how to tune corners. In 3D Printer land this could be adjusted with "Jerk" but all I can seem to see is acelleration and "jump-off". Naturally when the head changes direction, the head dwells/spends a little more time in the corners than what it does on the long straights of a square shape. This results in darker/deeper cuts in corners - some times penetrating the material. Lowering the power helps a little but doesn't completely remediate.

Is there a setting in Lightburn or RDWorks that can control the power for the 1-2mm in corners to "back off" a little? If there is I haven't been able to find it. I understand that adding rounded corners will help eliminate, but this isn't always desirable.

Tim

Our CO2 tubes run at 20k- the metal tube RF lasers are controlled differently and they use the freq settings. The high/low power settings control the corners- I have always assigned them the same power but if you are having problems with corners scorching lower the low power a bit. Lasers are like people, some things work on some people, others... nothing works on anything.

If you need 6 MK3s you are doing some serious printing. I mostly print prototypes and odds and ends to make my life even better. And a 3D printer and the laser cutter can generate some great stuff. This is a prototype of a stand to hold my Kindle in bed while I read- it has developed into something that makes me smile every time I use it. And I build cannon wheels- the hub and steel tires/reinforcing rings are printed.

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