Few of us document the progression of our side projects. For those who do, those docs have the chance at becoming a tome of insight, a spaceman’s “mission log” found on a faraway planet that can tell us how to tame an otherwise cruel and hostile world. With the arrival of the RDWorks Learning Lab Series, Chinese laser cutters have finally received the treatment of a thorough in-depth guide to bringing them into professional working order.
In two series, totalling just over 90 videos (and counting!) retired sheet-metal machinist [Russ] takes us on a grand tour of retrofitting, characterizing, and getting the most out of your recent Chinese laser cutter purchase.
Curious about laser physics? Look no further than part 2. Wonder how lens size affects power output? Have a go at part 39. Need a supplemental video for beam alignment? Check out part 31. For every undocumented quirk about these machines, [Russ] approaches each problem with the analytic discipline of a data-driven scientist, measuring and characterizing each quirk with his suite of tools and then engineering a solution to that quirk. In some cases, these are just minor screw adjustments. In other cases, [Russ] shows us his mechanical wizardry with a custom hardware solution (also usually laser cut). [Russ] also brings us the technical insight of a seasoned machinist, implementing classic machinist solutions like a pin table to produce parts that have a clean edge that doesn’t suffer from scatter laser marks from cutting parts on a conventional honeycomb bed.
Solid build logs are gems that are hard to come by, and [Russ’s] Chinese laser cutter introduction shines out as a reference that will stand the test of time. Don’t have the space for a laser cutter? For the micromachinists, have a look at The Guerrilla Guide to CNC Machining, Mold Making, and Resin Casting.
I’ve been following his channel for a few months now, its great to share his discoveries as he learns different aspects of the machine. He also sells the “Dohickey” – a calibrated lump of aluminium for measuring powrr output, that is far cheaper and easier to use than the meat thermometer oower meters available from China.
Dohickey is a tough product name to google. Do you have a link?
It’s discussed in this video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lO9rWlobLZU If you want one, leave your details in the comments and he will get in touch.
I’ll settle for being a laser chimp, if that’s alright.
Rule 1 – Do not stare into laser beam with your one remaing good eye.
Thats what they make interns for.
A steady stream of good “extra” eyes to get to help with alignments.
Or the masking-tape method described on here a while back.
I prefer green painters tape ( if it will stay adhered more than the 3 seconds it usually lasts, or a good roll of gaffer tape peels clean every time)
As long as that does not involve flinging feces, there should be no problems ;-)
Currently researching altering the frequency of a laser pulse with em waves and measuring different frequencies indirectly via entanglement. Hoping to make a device, able to shift the spectrum into our visible range, providing a true colour picture. Plus, more efficiently create microwaves to power em drive prototypes, that lasts longer than sticky tape in a vcr.