That is a good question. We have not tried to weld thermoplastics using our CO2 Lasers. It is possible since the laser outputs a heat source and at the right intensity and speed, the thermoplastic can be heated and melted rather than instantaneously vaporized and off gassed. I have done research to see if CO2 laser can weld thermoplastics with positive results.

Our CO2 lasers are typical of other laser cutters on the market, so if their literature, or examples you have found, successfully weld thermoplastics, then ours will probably be able to as well.

In some cutting test with different speeds and intensities, the kerf has welded back together; however, this was caused by an unintentional process rather than an intentional one.

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Would any of your CNC laser machines be appropriate for welding of thermoplastic materials?

That is a good question. We have not tried to weld thermoplastics using our CO2 Lasers. It is possible since the laser outputs a heat source and at the right intensity and speed, the thermoplastic can be heated and melted rather than instantaneously vaporized and off gassed. I have done research to see if CO2 laser can weld thermoplastics with positive results.

Our CO2 lasers are typical of other laser cutters on the market, so if their literature, or examples you have found, successfully weld thermoplastics, then ours will probably be able to as well.

In some cutting test with different speeds and intensities, the kerf has welded back together; however, this was caused by an unintentional process rather than an intentional one.

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Can a CO2 CNC laser machine be used for welding of thermoplastic materials?

Really, any of our CNC machines can cut brass.

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Would any of your kits be appropriate for cutting brass type?

You can modify our machines to have a camera to view your process and pick up registrations.
Here you can see a one of our customers adding a webcam to his machine! (https://www.buildyourcnc.com/tutorials/Example-customer-blacktoe-clintW)

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Would your CNC machines be able to have an optic camera to pick up registrations marks from a printer?

The general bill of materials for the blackTooth 24"x20" laser system is as follows:

- The structural components (MDO and Plastic parts)
- The hardware to assemble all of the structural and mechanical parts
- Mechanical parts like v-groove bearings, bearings for shafts, shafts, pulleys, belts, etc.
- All of the motion electronics like motors, drivers, and laser controller
- Wire to connect all of the electronics
- All of the laser components including the laser tube, mirrors, mirror mounts, nozzle and lens
- Pneumatic components including the air pump and tubing
- Hydraulic components to cool the laser tube including a water pump and tubing

blackTooth 24"x20" Laser

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What is the bill of materials included in the build your own laser 2' x 4' 40 watt

Are you referring to the book build?

Additional Information:
yes

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list of materials for build your own cnc

We have not received any feedback on the Hybrid Laser/CNC indicating any issues with tube failure.

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Have you had any vibration induced tube failure with your hybrid cnc mill / co2 laser setup?

We are able to ship internationally but unfortunately we cannot control the shipping costs incurred for international customers. However, if you are associated with educational programs or Makerspaces and/or Fab Labs we do offer certain discounts in some cases. Please send an email to customer service for more information on receiving a quote.

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what options can you offered to international customers to assist in them building one of your machines? International shipping of a kit would be too expensive.

All of our CNC machines can carve at that depth without a problem and do 3d carving. Our typical application is cutting sheet materials, but a good percentage of our customers cut 3D bas reliefs or even more complex 3D objects using reference points and jigs.

Most of our CNC machines have a Z travel of at least 6 inches for the smaller machines and 7 to 10 inches for our larger machines. The Fabricator Pro has a Z travel of 10 inches.

Depending on your application, you will need to consider the length of the end mill (more than the deepest depth of the 3D carving) and the stock that you will be using. If the stock plus the length of the end mill exceed the clearance with the Z axis raised to the top extent, then you will need to consider the way the table/bed of the machine is formed (maybe with a depression to take advantage of the greater need for clearance).

The greenBull has the capability of Z axis travel of up to 36 inches, but I would recommend, if milling wood, that the Z-axis not extend more than 12 inches to reduce deflection.

Additional Information:
Most of the CAM software on the market will have 3D profile machining operation capabilities. CAMBAM has a very nice 3D prpfiling feature. The Vectric line of software can definitely handle this as well.

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All of the pics and videos show your cncs cutting sheet materials, I'm interested in carving 3d images in plastic and hardwood slabs up to 2" thick. What machine and software would you recommend?

You can see pictures and info on our machines on the gallery link in the top bar.

Here are a few links for the blueChick CNC:
Rot Aylett's:

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Is there anywhere i could see one of your machines,12" x 36",working,thanks

The only plans we sell for any machine, are the ones that relate to the book we create found here, http://www.buildyourcnc.com/Book.aspx

Here is the link to those plans that we sell, http://www.buildyourcnc.com/cnckitintro.aspx

We do not sell any other plans, only full kits, with or without electronics.

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I am wondering if you also supply plans for the bigger machines, also the vertical CNC that you have in your product range?

Adding a laser tube and supporting electronics and mirrors to larger milling machines is problematic unless a proper mount is provided, as in the greenBull CNC (https://buildyourcnc.com/item/cnc-machine-laser-spindle-combo-head).

The existing larger machines (other than the greenBull CNC machine) are designed to be used as milling machines and the laser will not be able to be easily mounted on these machines. Modifications can be done to accomplish this task, but there is quite a bit of effort needed.

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If a person wanted a larger laser machine than what is offered would they simply mount a laser on one of the larger machines, or is there a problem with doing this?

We are developing a 4 foot by 8 foot (48" x 96") laser with 80 watts of power. If you need a laser at 36" x 52", you could use the 4'x8' laser and just build a shorter table. We will have this machine available in the latter portion of 2015.

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Hello, I'm wondering if you could make a larger laser cnc if someone asks for it? Something like 36" x 52". And how much would it be?

All the options for and variations of our blackTooth laser cutter/engraver are available on our website here https://buildyourcnc.com/blackToothLaserCutterAndEngraver.aspx#prettyPhoto. The wiring diagram is available here: https://buildyourcnc.com/blackToothLaserCutterAndEngraver.aspx#prettyPhoto/0/
We do not offer plans or a bill of materials for our machines at this time, but if you are interested in doing your own from scratch you can learn a lot about the design and build process from our tutorials. We wish you success in your endeavors.

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How can i get a complete list of all the components (electronics) I need for a CNC laser cutter with the laser controller? A wiring Diagram would probably be very helpful.

We included our 30 day warranty, but since it is considered a consumable and is considered to run the expected length (1000 HRS) the manufacture does not included a warranty.

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Is there any sort of warranty provided by the manufacturers for the 40w laser tube?

Please be very specific on what issue you are having.

Is this the scratch build machine? It is a machine kit that you purchased from us?


Having issues with my cnc router constructed with your materials.
1.) Machine is calibrated with a precision six foot steel scale at 30” measurement and appears to be right on the dimension under no load condition.

2.) When cutting a test program of a rectangle Y 12” x X 6” the final cut dimensions are:
X = 5.946 (-.054) short and Y = 11.900 (-.100) short.
This is a chain drive machine using your small chain stock.
Can chain tension be part of the issue or am I missing something????
Have made several cuts with reduced feed and depth of cuts. No change in errors……
Best regards.
Marc

This is a machine of my own design that I built using your electronics package purchased in 2010. Including your five start Z axis lead screw and your small chain with spur gears package for the x and y axis. this machine is designed to fit that floor space of my shop. Last year I sent you folks a photo of the unit. It has hardened steel X,Y and Z rails not the aluminum rails that you offer. it is also made from Baltic Burch 3/4" plywood.

When cutting a test program of a rectangle Y 12” x X 6” the final cut dimensions are:
X = 5.946 (-.054) short and Y = 11.900 (-.100) short

There is a dimensional discrepancy from programmed dimension and the actual cut dimension???? what could cause this issue????
please refer to data supplied........... thanks.

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Having issues with my cnc router constructed with your materials.

Used your electronics package and chain drive materials to construct personal design cnc to fit my floor space.

Machine is calibrated with a precision six foot steel scale at 30” measurement. When cutting a test program of a rectangle 6” x 12” the final cut dimensions are:
X = 5.946 (-.054) short and Y = 11.900 (-.100) short.
This is a chain drive machine using your small chain stock.
Can chain tension be part of the issue or am I missing something????

will be traveling to San Antoine this pm but will try to answer any follow up question after the first of the year.

Happy New Year to all.

Best regards.
Marc

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Having issues with my cnc router constructed with your materials.

Yes, you can add a touch plate kit. A touch plate works just like a limit switch. All you need are alligator clips and a conductive plate. Solder a wire to the conductive plate material and connect that to an IN (input) terminal. Connect the alligator clip to the gnd of the input and then to the end mill. Enable the home setting for the Z axis in Mach3 or Mach4 and use the "ref all home" button to home all of the axes. The z axis will home at the touch plate. Make sure that the touch plate is under the end mill when the z-axis is in the homing process.

Here is a tutorial I made a while ago that explains this:
https://buildyourcnc.com/PrimeronHomingandLimitSwitches.aspx

Let me know what you think by click on the "submit response".

Thanks

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Do you offer a touch plate kit? If not can a touch plate kit be added to your machines if so whats the process?

The plasma nozzle must be close to the cutting area and you will need some way to keep the nozzle at the right level with some type of device. The spray is downward, so you will need a contained area with a sheet of water at the bottom to extinguish he spray. You should have no problem using our machines for this application since you would need to product the table bed.

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CAN YOUR PRODUCTS OF MACHINES BE USED TO CREATE PLASMA TABLE?