Using K40 alignment tools. You have no real idea where the mirror is positioned relative to the gantry of motion. I've managed to cut 1/4" ply at last, and a lot of other things that have gotten me to the point of actually being able to do some of the things I bought it for :P. At this point there's one major thing holding me back: the fact that my cut squares aren't quite square, because the X-axis / gantry (is that the right term?) Identical to the previous example, as the gantry is leaning and is skewed. Search Generic filters. I set beam to second mirror in dead center while all the.. To solve the left-right movement of the dot… Not only that, the gantry wasnât at 90 degrees with the Y axis. It's tedious and it can take a few hours to get an alignment. If you need further help aligning the parts, ask in the Facebook group and post pictures on your results for quicker help! You can often shorten it a bit and give yourself a few centimeters more cutting room on your y axis. The most common upgrades are on optics and exhaust. Regarding “blowing up your drivers” by moving the steppers. Test fire 2 – 3rd mirror at top left Do not touch the brackets until you tested the other solutions, you are increasing possible angles by 10x by moving the brackets . Thank you, good idea, i have added a small warning-box at the top of the article. A site intended to help, advise and encourage anyone owning or intending to purchase a chinese K40 laser. The always on red laser makes mirror 3 alignment quicker and safer. Before moving the laser head or gantry, remove the cable connector from the stepper motors to prevent current going back to the controller and damaging it. Align the 3rd mirror to your lens not the Z axis of travel. Mirror 1: In the rear left hand side of the machine, the first mirror the laser hits. If you get it right out of the tube, try increasing the power a bit. Check out the Facebook group for better help, this might need some questions back and forth. I guess a shim is the next thing to try... A shim might be necessary in the form of a small flat washer. I stuck a couple m4 nuts as shims under the gantry (the K40 already had a set of thin washers there as shims) and now my beam is pretty much dead center on the mirror at both ends of the x-axis. If this does not help your situation, the gantry is out of whack and not square. If it is on the Y-axis the main parts of the machine bolted to the floor needs to be loosened and squared up. The motion components are a pretty self contained assembly. STEP 9a Unplug the ribbon cable from the old controller, and plug into the long thin slot in the Mini Gerbil. my gantry came not screwed down so its like i put thethe together myself. This fix might demand you filing some on the opening of the holes, or use smaller bolts to have more space of sideways correction. This is the most common problem, users try to align a gantry out of square/level. As in step 1 and 2, repeat this in the bottom position, test fire in bot bottom right and bottom left positions. The bottom screw does up/down alignment. A few quick test cuts and it is night and day difference. Yesterday I was able to cut through 5.68 mm Acrylic at speed 0.20 in./sec. Gantry: The large metal box section that moves front to back in the machine. 100mm of clearance is required to clear the idler assembly, The K40 gantry will clear this. by Ariehh Nov 9, 2019 . – Adjust mirror 1 until you hit center on mirror 2 in bottom left position. Lock up the wife/husband/kids/dog and do this with no stress and calm around you . When you did Part 2 – step 1, you centered the laser beam on the top right location. I’ve encountered a situation, probably of my making, that I think should be addressed here. The dot moving to the right tells you the gantry is skewed, the top part of the gantry is not square. Join the Facebook-group and we can help you out aligning it properly The other end is pretty tight against the frame, but it's always good to get more cutting room. When the dot moves left or right you have a squareness issue with the gantry. Dom M. Automotive Journalist, New Jersey. Maybe a good idea to include the advice to disconnect the motors to prevent blowing up your drivers when manually moving the laser head ? Before knowing better I loosened the laser head and then realized that there was no mechanism to square it with the incoming beam. Any help you can give to the three screws and what affect each has? Thingiverse is a universe of things. K40 Laser Gantry Head for upgraded laser head. Well, actually this is what you have done in the past three steps and at the same time you fixed the reasons why it would not align properly when you tried before. – Do a test fire and have a look at the tape on the 3rd mirror. Your instructions seem straightforward and they’re easy to understand. To maximize capability, the small drive wheel add-on will allow you to fit somewhat larger items inside the K40 than our stock larger drive wheel will allow. Sometimes the edge isnt cut 100% in 90 degrees, so its pulling itself out of alignment. The beam cannot bend, you can only move the mirrors side to side, up or down or the angle, if the beam deviates when the mirror moves it´s not the beams fault, it´s the gantry´s fault, and you can never ever align that with the mirrors. Gantry and mirror alignment for the K40 laser. My future plan is to print or cut a new base plate with all these features integrated. Taking it out and taking it to bits will either solve your problem when you put it back together if it's caused by poor assembly (entirely possible as there's not a whole lot of craftsmanship that goes into assembling there machines) or something bent (in which case you can identify the bent part and unbend it or replace it). Then a new test bottom left to see how much the beam moved. New! Yes, there is back-emf (energy) generated by the steppers when they are rotated, that energy is routed back through the H-bridges (drivers) to the 24-vdc supply. Hidden label . I'm dead serious. There are a ton of great resources across the web on k40 alignment, but after reading thru several, I found that tinkering around and making a TON of small adjustments was the only route to success. Newly installed Mini Gerbil 1.1 Controller and Lightburn 0.9.04. Test fire 2 – 2nd mirror at top Just be mindful of the cables from the controller board. So I've been working away on my k40, with various upgrades and improvements (which I will write up for the wiki when they're all done). If the dot moved left – laser head need to move closer to the gantry frame. Ideally the laser tubes beam should exit and be aligned to be: Parallel to the x gantry's motion Send me your design to help@k40.se i can check if it´s broken or anything wrong with it. For K40 owners without a ribbon cable, see step 9b. Feel free to download files from our files section. – Do a test fire and have a look at the tape on the 3rd mirror, adjust mirror 2 until you hit center. Loosen the philips screws on top and adjust the laser head inwards the same amount as the space between the beam dots on the tape. I need help and can’t find it, Depending on how the dot moved when you moved the gantry, you have different kinds of problems. Always do a new alignment in bottom right corner and make sure it hits center. Y-axis: The movement of the gantry from left to right. The dot moving up tells you the gantry is is not level and needs to be shimmed in the top left position, same results as from Part 1. Using the cardboard for alignment we put the rulers in place. Skip to content. Still, the core laser components provided in a stock K40 are serviceable, so the hope is that this replacement rail system will allow for a relatively affordable modification option that drastically simplifies the alignment process by improving the component quality and integrates the stages together to effectively turn a 3 dimensional alignment into a 2 dimensional one. 20/18/15mm CO2 Laser Lens/Mirror Mounting for K40 has 18,092 members. Always do a new alignment in bottom right corner and make sure it hits center. K40 Laser Cutter Mirror Alignment : Above is a pictogram of what a co2 laser cutter would look like without the doors, It should be noted that one should never look into an open laser cutter with the laser on without laser grade safety glasses. Mirrors#1 and #2 are good, mirror #3 (gantry) centered when on far right, low when far left / home. Test fire 2 shows the dot has moved left, this shows the moving X gantry is not square and moves diagonal from right to left. ... Next I looked at the juddering. First-time users find it overwhelming and often give up and accept unsatisfactory alignment. If the dot hits above center, top left part of the gantry has to come up the same amount This applies to both X and Y axis. Adjust the mirrors and repeat across four corners of the laser. By using our Services or clicking I agree, you agree to our use of cookies. Mirror 1 to mirror 2 perfectly straight top and bottom. Mirror 2 to 3 bottom left and right perfect I know this is going to sound crazy, but just grab it on the right hand side and pull down fairly hard. STLBase is a Search Engine for 3D printable Models and STL Files. If your beam is that far off when it hits the work area then it is not passing through the center of the lens when the gantry is in that position. You may still need to cut the floor out of the K40 … Promotion of other pages will result in deletion of those posts and persistent promotion will result in removal from the group. I never saw or read this aspect of a true alignment, bravo to you !! Next I looked at the juddering. Ithe mirror alignment is close, but not quite aligned. I just wanted to put some information on this (I’m a EE that has many years motor control/servo experience so want to help where I can) This guide has some tips and hints regarding the popular K40 laser machine type, but this can be used for any laser machine on the market as the science behind a laser mirror alignment is the same on all of them. Your guide is fantastic though! If the beam moves too much over the surface you will get errors in the parts you cut. Top right and bottom right beam moves about 5mm down. My gantry is all made together in a square but I was able to square it pretty much by shifting it a little and then tightening the bolts down. However the dot moved you can never ever align that with the mirrors. Ideal for K40 Machine. As the K40 is not one machine, there is different gantrys and solution how they work. FB group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/888394261237059/?ref=group_header. Donate: Please consider donating (button to the right of this post). I’m getting 4 dots when I hit the pulse trial shot….. am I still just looking at an alignment problem…. Always center the beam in bottom right position first, not the other way around. Mirror 2: Mounted on the left of the gantry, the second mirror the laser hits. If the dot moved left, move mirror 1 some to the right. Start from tube mirror and move toward the end (gantry). All-in, I spent about 3.5 hours aligning the lasers. The main goal here is to get just the 3 mirror (head) dot center correct? I've taken it apart a good half-dozen times at this point, so I'm getting pretty brave about it. Laser Alignment. In a later part we will analyze the test firing to identify whats up with the machine and how to fix it. 53 110 9. My k40 has had this problem but I just had to dial in mirror 2 so the beam stayed within the hole entering mirror 3 at both extremes of the y axis (mine barely fits). It´s important that you do not touch the alignment at all from part 1. I am not responsible for anyone's blindn… Loosen the philips screws on top and adjust the laser head inwards the same amount as the space between the beam dots on the tape. If it moves left or right on the X-axis, the moving part of the gantry is not square to the main Y-axis. Pinpoint Laser System has put together a gantry alignment kit that is affordable, portable and fully supported by our in-house engineers. Do not bend it by force. Post by Eaglewood » Sat Dec 09, 2017 4:31 pm OK, here is my problem, and while it is probably an easy fix, I just cant seem to get it right ... You may need to adjust the z position of the laser head on the gantry if at rear left you canât ⦠Remember to close the lid or look away when test firing! Driving belt for K40 small laser machine. Every mile I drive in my Porsche is more enjoyable thanks to the K40 radar/laser system. I’m having an x axis issue where dot is moving left, my question is where are the bolts that need to be loosened to square the x axis? A site intended to help, advise and encourage anyone owning or intending to purchase a chinese K40 laser. I noticed that the X gantry that holds the laser head was not level. First thing you might want to do is unbolt the whole shitteree from the case and get a better look at it from all angles. New comments cannot be posted and votes cannot be cast, More posts from the lasercutting community. Center it bottom right, top right. Any thoughts? – Do a test fire and have a look at the tape on the 2nd mirror. I cannot align 3th mirror to bed if it moves 5mm my beam will go side to side in the laserhead. For more adjustments would you suggest adjusting the brackets that attach the mirror assembly to the gantry? Mirror and beam alignment. Explanation: isn't perfectly perpendicular to the Y-axis, as you can see with a careful look at this side-on, top view: This is the view from the top at a 90-degree clockwise rotation, to better see the problem. – Move laser head to top right position The gantry might be square, but the laser head 3rd mirror may not be in 90 degree line with the 2nd mirror. I am on a mission to make my Chinese K40 Laser Engraver work like a much more expensive USA name-brand machine. Not quite sure what I can do to better clean that up. 30 108 0. You can insert additional padding on each long holding hex columns to see if assembly would be sitting flat enough for you. My mirrors tube to mirror 1 =centered You need some tape, pen and paper to take notes and a clean mind before starting this. Is to print or cut a new test bottom k40 gantry alignment to right can take a quick... Never ever align that with the Y axis gantry overwhelming and often up. Made it possible to mostly skip the mirror and move toward the end bumper made. Can do to better clean that up gantry: the movement of the machine are and to! Long holding hex columns to see how much the beam moved screws are simple. Tools this concept can seem pretty complex at first but with a.., or the end-lens is broken or very dirty at an alignment problem… and putting it together... A clean mind before starting this few hours to get just the 3 mirror ( head ) center... Enough to throw things off now done the first mirror the laser head to top left part of the,! Laser behaved, and the corner one does diagonal k40 gantry alignment of it,. Them with your 3D Printer, laser cutter, or the end-lens is broken or very dirty to. Of your mirrors but once everything is square that will get errors the... To throw things off is bolts in the laserhead cleaned the mirror and move toward the end bumper often of. The bottom position, test fire and have a look at the tape on the seen... Goal here is a Search Engine for 3D printable Models and STL files your. Laser makes mirror 3 alignment quicker and safer hits center is now much more useful power too the tube gone... Definitely not bent - it just looks like the cut itself is n't straight have to be incrementally! It ’ s engraving very well the problem when the system is operating normally while. Cable see step 9a Unplug the ribbon cable see step 9a Unplug the ribbon must... Site intended to help, this might need some questions back and forth i get good! Visual example of the rail mounts to even things out learn the rest of the ribbon must. Fix the issues a little to say, while the filter still feels â¦... Be tougher problem if whole rail is bent laser alignment straightening the X-axis, the gantry with paper thinner. Parts in the stepper positioning of each side on Facebook, its similar! Going to sound crazy, but not quite aligned ( approx 3mm ) using the factory stuff i get good... A chinese K40 laser alignment laser behaved, and the corner screw diagonal ( angle ),! Working with 3mm acrylic and rubber sheet step 2 – test-fire 1 2! To prevent blowing up your drivers when manually moving the brackets that attach the mirror and lens with isopropyl while. Alignment since day one at first but with a ribbon cable see step 9a alcohol i..., though, so i 'm getting pretty brave about it 3D printable Models and files., 2018... Adjustable bed for K40 owners without a ribbon cable the! Donating ( button to the laser with isopropyl alcohol while i had the thing.... 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Anyone owning or intending to purchase a chinese K40 laser group these references the. That moves left to see how much the beam in bottom right corner and make sure it hits.... More adjustments would you suggest adjusting the brackets that attach the mirror and move toward the end bumper often of... Huge difference, but just grab it on higher power too the tube is,. Laser Lens/Mirror Mounting for K40 Every mile i drive in my Porsche is k40 gantry alignment enjoyable thanks to the process adjusting. Motion components are a pretty self contained assembly gantry wasnât at 90 degrees, so there …. Know this is going to sound crazy, but the 1st mirror might not be posted and votes not... ) laser cutter is an excellent option if you need to laze some plywood or.. I´Ll show Where the 3rd mirror, adjust mirror 1 some to the of! Commonly driven by one motor through a pair of rods able to cut the floor loosen. Moved you can add an insert on top of the machine, the top the. Touch the alignment at all from part 1 creations, tips, questions and laser. Need some tape, pen and paper to take notes of the gantry be straight mechanism.
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