Laser Butterfly

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citrusguy
Posts: 31
Joined: Sun May 03, 2009 9:18 pm
Model of CNC Machine: SO2-Emblaser-K40-Custom laser diode
Location: Florida

Laser Butterfly

Post by citrusguy »

This is a butterfly I made for a Christmas present. I "cut" it with a laser diode using Cut2D and a customized post processor for Mach3.

I made it from 1/16 inch thick hobby bass wood. Due to the low power of my laser diode, I burned it from both sides of the wood using Cut2D's flip feature.

Happy Holidays All,
John Champlain
Attachments
My LazerFly 2.JPG

rdean33422
Vectric Craftsman
Posts: 129
Joined: Wed Mar 30, 2011 5:55 pm
Model of CNC Machine: RF31, 4X8 Router both CNC

Re: Laser Butterfly

Post by rdean33422 »

That is really great!

Ray

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glenn
Vectric Wizard
Posts: 582
Joined: Wed Jul 02, 2008 11:23 pm
Model of CNC Machine: home brew 40x20
Location: McArthur, Ohio U.S.A.

Re: Laser Butterfly

Post by glenn »

Neat!
Glenn

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Rcnewcomb
Vectric Archimage
Posts: 5886
Joined: Fri Nov 04, 2005 5:54 am
Model of CNC Machine: 24x36 GCnC/WinCNC with ATC
Location: San Jose, California, USA
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Re: Laser Butterfly

Post by Rcnewcomb »

Excellent work!
- Randall Newcomb
10 fingers in, 10 fingers out, another good day in the shop

citrusguy
Posts: 31
Joined: Sun May 03, 2009 9:18 pm
Model of CNC Machine: SO2-Emblaser-K40-Custom laser diode
Location: Florida

Re: Laser Butterfly

Post by citrusguy »

Thank you, friends. I would like to point out, however, that the design of the puzzle is not mine. Credit for the design goes to a member of the ArtSoft forum
( http://www.machsupport.com/forum/index. ... 111.0.html ). I only wish I were so talented.

Regards All,
John Champlain

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Rcnewcomb
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Posts: 5886
Joined: Fri Nov 04, 2005 5:54 am
Model of CNC Machine: 24x36 GCnC/WinCNC with ATC
Location: San Jose, California, USA
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Re: Laser Butterfly

Post by Rcnewcomb »

John,

The fact that you can do two sided machining is an indicator that you know and understand your machine. (My first attempt at two sided machining was a disaster :oops: ) I look forward to seeing other projects that you will post as your skills continue to grow.
- Randall Newcomb
10 fingers in, 10 fingers out, another good day in the shop

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ssflyer
Vectric Wizard
Posts: 912
Joined: Wed Nov 26, 2008 8:21 pm
Model of CNC Machine: ShopBot PRSAlpha 96x60
Location: Napa County, California

Re: Laser Butterfly

Post by ssflyer »

Turned out great, John!

BTW, what laser diode are you using?
Ron Sloan

citrusguy
Posts: 31
Joined: Sun May 03, 2009 9:18 pm
Model of CNC Machine: SO2-Emblaser-K40-Custom laser diode
Location: Florida

Re: Laser Butterfly

Post by citrusguy »

Thank you guys. I appreciate the kind words and your encouragements.

Ron, I'm using a 445nm diode with my own design constant-current driver at about 1.1 amps. I think I could increase the power some, but at about $50 US per diode, and having already blown one diode while experimenting, I'm inclined to leave it alone for now.

I use a small blower to keep smoke from interrupting the laser beam, but at the suggestion of a poster in another forum, I will soon add a small compressed air jet to try to remove carbon from the kerf while burning.

I have also found that the laser is much less forgiving of backlash than when routing, so I will soon rework the Y axis to replace the present bronze bushings with linear ball bearings.

Happy New Year All,
John Champlain

citrusguy
Posts: 31
Joined: Sun May 03, 2009 9:18 pm
Model of CNC Machine: SO2-Emblaser-K40-Custom laser diode
Location: Florida

Re: Laser Butterfly

Post by citrusguy »

My version of the Mayan calendar pales in comparison to Paul Rowntree's (http://www.vectric.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=5&t=11586), but I'm pleased for a first try.

Burned into a scrap piece of MDF - about 7.25 inch diameter. Careful examination will show the backlash (friction or "sticktion" ?) in my Y axis that I mentioned earlier.

Regards All,
John Champlain
Attachments
Mayan1.JPG

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