Full Version: The Adventure Begins: The arrival of the Chinese Laser
From: sroehlk (ELECTECH1) [#41]
15 Mar 2007
To: Stunt Engraver (DGL) [#38] 15 Mar 2007
I am not sure I want to directly answer about the average person :).
These are my impressions as of now, they will change I am sure!
I would not recommend this machine to someone who regularly needs assistance with other types of machines.
If you can't figure out something on a computer or engraver and need to call your rep or support number then no.
Also if your the type that has to have absolutes, then no. If you need to know that the setting for anodized aluminum is; power 50% and speed 30, then this is not for you. The adjustments are a 20 turn potentiometer and a number 1-8 for speed. Even though the software allows speed settings of 0-99. Most of the numbers dont mean anything in my case.
I would not recommend this machine if you don't know what your going to engrave. It has limitations, a lot of them (as do all small lasers, I would think). If what your engraving fits on the table and you don't need more than 40 watts, then this might be the machine for you.
If your doing pet ID tags, name plates, rubber stamps and other small quantity jobs then yes I would recommend so far. I have not tried any wood.
There is some support for this machine by email but be prepared to wait for several days for an answer. And then the answer may come with another question, so you'll have to wait for another couple of days.
Steve
From: sroehlk (ELECTECH1) [#42]
15 Mar 2007
To: Rodney Gold (RODNEY_GOLD) [#39] 15 Mar 2007
The machine I have can be bought for $800 plus shipping. Shipping can be $500.
I am going to post the company information here. I just have to be home to find it.
Steve
From: Stunt Engraver (DGL) [#43]
15 Mar 2007
To: sroehlk (ELECTECH1) [#41] 15 Mar 2007
I'm fascinated in following your trials and tribulations and I think your experience may help people decide if this type of machine is something they can use.
From: sroehlk (ELECTECH1) [#44]
15 Mar 2007
To: sroehlk (ELECTECH1) [#42] 15 Mar 2007
Ok, here is the website for the machine I bought.
I did not buy directly but I did inquire about price via email. They quoted $800 usd plus shipping.
http://www.yh114.cn/yinghebiz/index.asp
There is english button upper right hand.
The best chinese to english translator I have found is from google language tools. I use the chinese to english beta version that is listed. It works better than altavista/babelfish anyway.
Steve
From: sroehlk (ELECTECH1) [#45]
16 Mar 2007
To: sroehlk (ELECTECH1) [#44] 16 Mar 2007
I am still trying to figure out how to place objects on the table to engrave.
I am getting closer.
The laser moves out to a position when I click on output, but before I actually start engraving. The laser will move back to its home position and back out again to engrave, when I hit the Output button the second time.
It moves to the upper right hand corner of the page. In this case I have a page set up as 40mm x 40mm. The engraving is centered inside this box.
I am going to cut a 40mm x 40mm piece of plastic and engrave a mark on the center of this piece. I can then place it on the table when the laser comes out to the beginning position. I think this will help me visualize what is happening, then maybe I can really figure out how to place items.
The biggest problem is no type of reference points on the table. I have marked some points with tape. But I am thinking I will get some self adhesive rule material and stick it on both axis.
From: Carl (CSEWELL) [#46]
16 Mar 2007
To: sroehlk (ELECTECH1) [#45] 16 Mar 2007
If it is inconsistent from job-to-job, you could create a reference circle in your drawing and have it engraved first. Send the job to laser, pause the job, if you can, when the laser gets to that first circle. Then move your reference plate to that reference point. I guess that would also require an LED diode pointer..........
From: sroehlk (ELECTECH1) [#47]
16 Mar 2007
To: Carl (CSEWELL) [#46] 16 Mar 2007
As far as I know now there is no way to pause the laser once it starts.
But I will have to double check! Pausing sure would be helpful.
I guess my point to the plastic plate cut to 40mm is so I don't have to engrave something first. I want to be able to place an item on the table and engrave it right the first time.
Right now I will engrave a piece of acrylic first, then place the item on top of that spot. I want to eliminate that step altogether.
The grid would only help if I actually engrave the table with it, is that what your suggesting? Not a bad idea really, except a large part of the table is open. The table is not solid, there is a spring clamping device built in.
Steve
I keep getting errors when I run the spell checker. Please forgive any spelling mistakes!! :)
From: Carl (CSEWELL) [#48]
16 Mar 2007
To: sroehlk (ELECTECH1) [#47] 16 Mar 2007
Or tape on the table.
I was thinking more along the lines of creating a grid on a plate that you could move around to match where the laser was engraving. Sort of a dynamic frame of reference or coordinate system.
There has to be some consistency between runs. Can the laser be easily re-zeroed after each run to improve consistency?
From: sroehlk (ELECTECH1) [#49]
16 Mar 2007
To: Carl (CSEWELL) [#48] 16 Mar 2007
The software page can change with each item. I use a page that is 40mm x 40mm for pet tags. But if I am making something larger then I might make the page 100mm x 100mm. There is no set page size, page size becomes the table. There is no set table size in this software. The software is not just for this laser and not customized for this lasers table.
Now, should I figure out the table size and make that my page size always? Probably! I started to do that, but then the spec's give me a max engraving size that does not match the table size. Plus the larger page size makes it harder to see the object. There does not appear to be a way to zoom up on the small item on the large page.
Also the clamping device sits in the middle of the table, and it does not hold the item centered on the table but closer to the right edge of the table.
I am spending some time this weekend trying to figure out the table and the software. There has to be ways to change and edit stuff.
Steve
From: Carl (CSEWELL) [#50]
16 Mar 2007
To: sroehlk (ELECTECH1) [#49] 16 Mar 2007
Can you use this procedure to determine where the page size is referenced?
From: Dave Jones (DAVERJ) [#51]
16 Mar 2007
To: sroehlk (ELECTECH1) [#49] 16 Mar 2007
From: sroehlk (ELECTECH1) [#52]
18 Mar 2007
To: Dave Jones (DAVERJ) [#51] 18 Mar 2007
If there is a jig or frame it has not been offered to me.
The clamp is poorly designed, the springs don't even allow the clamping bar to go all the way to the end of the opening. So you only have about 75% of the opening that can be used.
I am going to write the company I bought this from and see if they can answer the general question of how to use this clamp.
But your idea of making a plate that stays clamped in place is something I will give some thought to.
Steve
From: Stunt Engraver (DGL) [#53]
19 Mar 2007
To: ALL
Don't know if it's Chinese, but if so, could this bring their equipment a step closer to gaining widespread credibillity?
A person on Sawmill Creek pointed to this site.
http://a4dableww.com/500short.htm
EDITED: 19 Mar 2007 by DGL
From: ab_laserart [#54]
13 Apr 2007
To: Stunt Engraver (DGL) [#53] 13 Apr 2007
Hey Dave,
Sorry to beat this old dead horse, but I'm just now getting caught up on the forum. This is a Chinese machine, built by the direct competition of the company I bought from. I checked both of them out before buying. I suppose it is my duty to give you all the in-depth treatment of my machine... I suspect it will be time consuming, but as a thank you to all who have helped me I will do it! I'll start a new tread in the next few days.
Oh, buy the way I have it on good authority that a company from the good ol' US of A is getting ready to enter the laser engraver market -- it sounds like the bridge between cheap Chinese and expensive main stream may be upon us. I don't want to step on any toes, so I'm not saying anything else about it yet.
Ron
From: Stunt Engraver (DGL) [#55]
13 Apr 2007
To: ab_laserart [#54] 13 Apr 2007
Ron,
We wear steel-toed boots around here. :-)
Looking forward to your observations on the Chinese laser equipment.
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