Full Version: The Adventure Begins: The arrival of the Chinese Laser
From: sroehlk (ELECTECH1) [#14]
17 Feb 2007
To: sroehlk (ELECTECH1) [#13] 17 Feb 2007
More general information:
This is suppose to be a 40 watt laser.
The engraving area is 250 x 200mm. But the clamp is 200 x 128mm.
These are numbers that the seller publishes.
Here are a few more pictures, first one is the electronics and the other 2 are of the tube:
EDITED: 17 Feb 2007 by ELECTECH1
From: sroehlk (ELECTECH1) [#15]
17 Feb 2007
To: sroehlk (ELECTECH1) [#14] 17 Feb 2007
I have moved on to the software. I have engraved a few graphics on some test material.
I am having a hard time finding the starting point of the laser. One thing that is throwing me off is the direction of the table.
The top of the software is up like a normal page but the lasers top of the page is to the left. So everything is 90 degrees off CCW.
There is no scale on the table, I may have to put something in there to help me, at least in these early stages.
The clamping device is ackward. It is a spring loaded bar. The bar slides toward the top of the table, not the top of the page. There might be a way to change the top of the page in the software but I haven't found it yet. I will post pictures.
First picture is the clamp, second is a blurry picture of a tag.
Steve
EDITED: 17 Feb 2007 by ELECTECH1
From: Cody (BOBTNAILER) [#16]
17 Feb 2007
To: sroehlk (ELECTECH1) [#15] 17 Feb 2007
Steve,
It may just be my computer, but I'm not able to see any of your pictures...have they been removed?
Cody
From: sprinter [#17]
17 Feb 2007
To: Cody (BOBTNAILER) [#16] 18 Feb 2007
EDITED: 17 Feb 2007 by SPRINTER
From: sroehlk (ELECTECH1) [#18]
17 Feb 2007
To: Cody (BOBTNAILER) [#16] 18 Feb 2007
I can't see them either!
I will repost if they don't show up soon.
Steve
From: Stunt Engraver (DGL) [#19]
17 Feb 2007
To: sroehlk (ELECTECH1) [#18] 18 Feb 2007
I'm sure after Eric gets his beauty rest, he'll deal with the missing attachments. :-)
From: sroehlk (ELECTECH1) [#20]
18 Feb 2007
To: Cody (BOBTNAILER) [#16] 18 Feb 2007
From: sroehlk (ELECTECH1) [#21]
19 Feb 2007
To: ALL
Not all the pictures are back.
I will repost all the missing pics later tonight
From: Engravin' Dave (DATAKES) [#22]
19 Feb 2007
To: sroehlk (ELECTECH1) [#21] 19 Feb 2007
From: Dave Jones (DAVERJ) [#23]
19 Feb 2007
To: Engravin' Dave (DATAKES) [#22] 19 Feb 2007
Including posts 14 and 15?
From: sroehlk (ELECTECH1) [#24]
19 Feb 2007
To: Dave Jones (DAVERJ) [#23] 19 Feb 2007
I don't see them. I will re attach them later this evening.
Steve
From: sroehlk (ELECTECH1) [#25]
25 Feb 2007
To: ALL
From: sroehlk (ELECTECH1) [#26]
25 Feb 2007
To: sroehlk (ELECTECH1) [#25] 25 Feb 2007
To keep everyone updated:
I am now working with the laser software. The software is in english but the translated words don't always make sense at least to me.
For example, a selection is "convex" or "cave". One means engraving the the letters and one means engraving the background. Or positive and negative engraving, is how it is explained in the english manual I was able to get from Moshisoft.
Another problem I am having is when I make a design in photoshop or coreldraw and save in a compatible format it does not import at the right size.
When I import the graphic is is much smaller, about 1/3 the size. It is likely the dpi settings not matching but no matter what I put the settings at it still happens.
I do have a work around right now for what I am doing.
When I export the graphic in coreldraw it gives me dimensions in mm. I just have to enter those dimension in the laser software and it comes out perfect.
Steve
EDITED: 25 Feb 2007 by ELECTECH1
From: sroehlk (ELECTECH1) [#27]
25 Feb 2007
To: ALL
I am also looking at spare parts. The tubes don't last as long as the air cooled type.
So far I can get the tube for $250 and the mirrors for $40. That does not include shipping from China. Shipping could be substantial.
I found another source for the tube possibly for $175 plus shipping. But I am going to have to make sure it will fit.
I think I have found out why a lot of the chinese lasers are similar, it appears that the companies the build the controls also supply plans to make the lasers. I have not completely confirmed this but have seen links (all broken) that lead me to believe this to be true. I have asked one company and they ignored that part of my request, no answer either way. The cabinets all look the same. The controls look different, which would be explained by each companies different electronics.
I am still investigating!
From: Carl (CSEWELL) [#28]
25 Feb 2007
To: sroehlk (ELECTECH1) [#26] 26 Feb 2007
Have you tried creating the drawings in metric?
With 2.54 cm/inch, wouldn't a drawing created in inches be about 1/3 the size if the units were assumed to be 'cm'?
From: sroehlk (ELECTECH1) [#29]
26 Feb 2007
To: Carl (CSEWELL) [#28] 26 Feb 2007
I will try that next time I create a new graphic. Might just work.
Right now I am not creating anything new. I have templates that I use.
Steve
From: deLazer [#30]
11 Mar 2007
To: sroehlk (ELECTECH1) [#29] 12 Mar 2007
From: Peter [#31]
11 Mar 2007
To: ALL
the parts in that laser remind me of the special effects images from the1950's classic Movie....
Forbidden Planet
:-)
EDITED: 11 Mar 2007 by PETER
From: sroehlk (ELECTECH1) [#32]
12 Mar 2007
To: deLazer [#30] 12 Mar 2007
The adventure continues.
The learning continues, I only engrave on a part time basis.
I am trying to learn the table co ordinates a little better. I am using masking tape to mark known locations on the x, and y axis. I am doing this because I am having trouble placing an item to engrave. The software is not made to fit this machine. The software page is not the same size as the table and the software page is out of position by 90 degrees. I spent some time trying to change the software settings to match the physical table. No luck yet. Right now I engrave into a piece of acrylic and then place the item on top of that spot to engrave it.
Also there is a spring loaded clamping device built into this machine. I am trying to use it. Although I don't really get it. It will only hold items that are rigid with parallel sides. Mostly I am setting stuff on top of it.
So far I am only engraving anodized aluminum. Although I did cut some 1/8" wood on it. That was just because I had some lying around.
I have ordered some cermark to see how that works with this laser. I also ordered some rubber stamp stuff. I know the stuff stinks when cutting but this machine is advertised as a stamp carver. So I am going to see if its built in capability matches that claim. Although I have no desire to do rubber stamps I do want to try it.
From: sroehlk (ELECTECH1) [#33]
12 Mar 2007
To: sroehlk (ELECTECH1) [#32] 12 Mar 2007
BTW-
I see a couple more people selling this laser on Ebay. At least one is $999 with a buy it now option. The seller was in canada but the shipping was still $450. No doubt he does not actually have it, but having it shipped from Hong Kong or China.
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