So I’ve been reading and reading, and watching video after video on this subject. I never realized how sensitive the height and focal point is, so my next project after I set up my new air assist, set up my new water pump and ventilation system, I’m going to start working on a Z-Axis Bed.
Any of you here make your own yet? Or purchase one pre-fabricated?
Search lift table
Here is a manual one I designed but not yet built, original author cited in post.
Here is a stand alone one from LO: Don's Laser Cutter Things: Stand alone K40 Zaxis Table & Controller Build
http://lightobject.com sells one for the K40 but from some I heard its a finicky install, and the motor cannot run off the standard psu in the unit so you’ll have to add an external 24v one(most of us do anyways). there is also a couple 3d printed projects on thingiverse, worth taking a look.
@Domm434 thank you Joe I will look at it all! What is the extra Power Supply for?? Does the stock one not push enough juice to the bulb?
yea the stock one that is built into the laser psu is only 1 amp, barely enough for the x and y motors. the z table draws nearly 2 amps alone so they even specify that you will need a separate psu. I added a 24v 6a one to mine and use it to run x and y and dont use the 24v from the laser psu, but i plan on expanding also with a z table, rotary(prototype built), etc.
clarification: the laser psu has 24v and 5v out for convenience separate from the laser tube signal. this is referring to motor voltage capability of the laser psu only.
As I was reading your comment I remembered that I have the stock exhaust and water pump plugged into the machine which is horrible for performance then huh? I got my new air assist parts in the mail today and will be plugging them in elsewhere. Haha
those just tap off of the 120v/24v incoming so its not terrible, just double check that there in-line with a fuse of some sort for safety. And yea i use an in-line duct fan at the end of line to create a draw, and a 240l/h 4 dollar ebay pump that works well and is super quiet. my air assist is an aquarium compressor with a homemade baffle on the intake for air assist, currently hooked up to a 433mhz wireless relay(still have to wire to board someday). loudest part i hear is the air flow, which isnt too loud at all. can still hear tv at normal levels.
#K40ACcontrol
Just FYI: I have mine digitally controlled from an auxiliary panel which can also be controlled from the smoothie (if I want to).
I currently have it wired to turn on the water when the machine is on. Each AC accessory has its own digitally controlled plug (via a relay) or a switch on the panel.
I used to just put all the AC stuff and the machine on one AC power strip till I got fancy.
Also BTW I run everything off of separate DC supplies. I use the LPS 24V for my lift table and 5V accessories. The lift is probably under-powered a bit but I use it intermittently and infrequently so it doesn’t matter.
All the power in my machine have output fuses.