Co2 Laser Upgrade - Laser & Red Dot Beam Combiner for CNC Co2 Laser Machine
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- Опубліковано 26 сер 2024
- Installing A Laser Beam Combiner on an 80W Co2 Laser - Cloudray E Series 1st Mirror Mount（Including Beam Combiner) - amzn.to/2JaF1r0
The LED Red Dot side mounted on the laser head/nozzle is a not a true indication of the location of the laser beam from the lens and requires regular adjusting due to its poor mounting position. If the material height is out of focus then with the current setup the red dot will not be pointing accurately at the laser focus position. So to fix this problem today I will installing Laser Combiner from Coludray Laser. bit.ly/MW-Cloudray
A LIST OF UPGRADE PARTS I USED CAN BE FOUND HERE: mwlaser.com.au...
So what is a Laser Beam Combiner?
(00:26) The laser beam combiner used a Zinc Selenide (ZnSe) lens positioned at a 45 degree angle directly in front of the laser beam. The Co2 laser has is non-visible and its wavelength will pass through this ZnSe lens, however optical light is reflected off it. So the unit has a red laser beam shining onto the 45 degree surface of the ZnSe lens so that it combines the two beams together onto mirror one, then both the visible red dot laser and invisible Co2 laser beams bounce through all the mirrors and onto the working surface you can see where the red laser is situated and where the CO2 laser will be fired.
(01:05) You will find the link to the unit below
For Cloudray on eBay visit - bit.ly/Cloudray-mw
What’s in the kit?
(01:15) The parts I have are SET B of the Cloudray E Series 1st Mirror Mount Beam Combiner, it includes the following items.
1x Mirror and mount with base and beam combiner
1x Cloudray Laser Si 25mm Mirror
1x Cloudray Laser Beam Combiner ZnSe 25mm Lens
1x Red Dot Pointer
(01:40) Setup of the Combiner Unit - Installing the Lens and Mirror
(04:02) Installation
I started by removing the power and making sure the machine was safe to start working on. Conveniently I was also in the process of changing out a faulty power supply unit so I was certain there wasn’t going to be any nasty surprises while working at the laser tube side of the machine.
I loosened the lasertube and moved it out of the way by about 40-50mm so it was out of the way to safely work near it without damage.
(07:00) Positioning the Mirror Mount Base
(08:21) Explanation of the mirror base positioning - Diagram
(09:08) Mounting the mirror mount in its new position
(10:23) Installing the red dot pointer, removing the Old red dot pointer and running 5V power to New red dot pointer.
(11:20) Perform a mirror alignment and align the red dot pointer at the same position as the laser pulse at mirror #1. Demonstration of moving the laser head with the newly mounted laser beam combiner unit.
(12:06) Thanks for visiting Matt’s Workshop. Don’t forget to subscribe and put on the notification bell to be notified of new videos as I release them.
You will find my social media links below as well as a link to Cloudray Laser’s Website.
www.cloudraylaser.com
Until next time, take care
Cheers Matthew
Visit Matt's Workshop at www.mwlaser.com...
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Any questions please feel free to email me matt@mwlaser.com.au or leave a comment below.
NOTE: This is not a paid production or advertisement. The featured product was provided by Cloudray to allow me to provide viewers with an installation / how-to video.
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Thank You
Need to get one of those thanks for the video. Very helpful
Thanks Wayne. This is definitely a worthwhile upgrade. Cheers Matt
I got this same setup, along with the reci tube adjustable mount because my tube basically sits on the machine. The question is this... after i install the reci mount and this, how would i raise the height of the mirror on the y axis high enough to match? I imagine the same question appiles for the laser head as well...
Hola que tal, tengo un problema con ese modelo de red dot en 45°, cuando mando a cortar una pieza el láser también sale por la parte trasera de ese lente que refleja el dot, habrá alguna solución? Lo afloje y moví en varias veces y sigue igual ):
How did you find the distance for the new mirrors? You didn’t show that in your video.
I'd like to know as well. I'm installing one now and think I am going to have to just estimate it.
Superb video, thanks for sharing. The info was very clear and expertly explained.
Glad it was helpful!
Nice video as always, I just installed a Cloudray combiner only unit. It is just an LED and combiner lens with no mirror lens. I have a larger table that is 900mmX1600mm long. When I installed the combiner my laser will not cut out past approx 1200mm (45") If I slide the combiner out of the way it cuts as expected. Is this to be expected? I noted that when I recieved the combiner my LED pointer split into 3 horizontal dots. I flipped the lens around thinking maybe it was directional and installed incorrectly from Cloudray. The dot, which i have focused as tight as possible, is now a single dot through the combiner but after about 300mm from the combiner it starts to become a blob. By the time mirror 2 is at full travel the LED is a 25mm blob. I can still get enough LED to mirror 3 and through the lens to be visible but not very crisp. My main concern is losing usable cut power over the last third of my table.
hi Matt. it's a while that I'm following you, and your videos are helping me a lot 🎉😊
To connect the pointer to the machine, di you cut the female jack from it and then attached the to wires? I bought the same from cloudray.
or if you tell me what male jack fits into the pointer's jack?
thank you
Hi. I have read that a combiner actually results in a lowed laser beam power. Yes..No?
yes, it can have a small reduction in beam power. in my experience on all machines I use this is negligible, as I have tested the effect on the cuts with and without the beam combiner units
@@MWLaser Hi, first of all I want to say thank you for your review/video.
I would like to know more precisely "by how many % or mm/second" the beam/cut power is reduced. (Atleast approximately)
I have seen many videos and reports that the power is dropping, but no one says how much.
Thanks very much!
You're welcome!
Great video, ordered one now....I guess once you have got the red dot central to the laser beam perfectly sorted when you need to align the mirror 2 and 3 at some point again you could use the new red dot to do that and it would be a lot easier than the pulse button and tons of post it notes catching fire.... 😄.
just a question on the K40's the mirrors are 20mm but cloudray are suggesting to me to change my order to a 25mm mirror for Mirror 1, would that be Ok or could it cause a optical problem with the other mirrors that are smaller....?
for a k40 I would suggest 20mm mirrors
Is there anything to replace the mirrors with a fibre cable made yet?
Or something that does auto laser calibration
No
Did you ever fix the loose red dot?
Mattvi bought a beam combinervfrom cloudvray but it looks totally different than yours. I have no idea how to install mine
Hi Mark, I have added a photo to the community page on where to locate the beam combiner unit you have. Cheers Matt
ua-cam.com/channels/YmaUPBZ6oF_OExb3htzTOw.htmlcommunity
thank you I love your videos
Thanks :)
Cheers Matt
Apparently, I wasn't paying close enough attention on your parts list to notice the difference between Option #1 Set B and Option #2. Somewhat ignorantly, I ordered Option #2. Can you comment at all about how Option #2 installs / works in comparison / contrast to Option #1 Set B?
I've emailed you. Cheers Matt
Hi Matt, just purchased the same laser machine as yours and just wondering what or if you use laser safety glasses? I am not sure if the clear window is filtering the light or not so would like to buy some proper glasses. Loving the videos as well. Very informative
I use them when performing laser / mirror alignment. Doors should be safe. To have added protection I use these when necessary. mwlaser.com.au/product/cloudray-10600nm-laser-safety-goggles/
Cheers Matt
Thx for the video and explanation. Can this be use to ease mirror alignment task?
no - not for mirror alignments
Can you replace the red laser with a diode laser so you can engrave with diode cut with co2
Why not engrave with the C02 laser?
@@MinkiSansChannel save the tube for cutting and use the diode for the longer life
Brilliant Matt look forward to making that mod. Just received notification that my laser has cleared customs so anticipation is high. One query, what is that drive shaft under the laser to be there for? Seems a strange place for a shaft. Cheers
That motor and shaft is for the y axis.
do you think you could install the combiner on the side without using the mirror, after the first 45? Trying to avoid all of the mods that you had to make in your video. Dont know if the pointer has to be introduced at that exact spot(next to the 45 degree mirror. Do you know? Thank you for all of your videos, they are going to be helpful. Ken
Yes you can install the combiner before or after mirror 1, there is also the beam combiner unit available without the mirror included, you will se a demonstration of this type of combiner in the laser build video ua-cam.com/video/h7wMw_xlWUA/v-deo.html (please excuse the bad audio in that video)
Do you remember how far you moved the mount towards the laser tube? Did you have any difficulty moving it in line . . . and did you drill pilot holes?
Sorry I cannot remember the exact distance I moved the mount (it was approx 25mm). and I didn't have any difficulty keeping it in line. Yes the pilot holes did help.
Can you expand on specifically where you got the 5 V source from for the red dot?
The original red dot that was on the nozzle had a 5v connection to a 5V psu so I used that on this installation, you can also use the 5V and GND connection from the laser power supply.
Hi, I installed the beam combiner. Unfortunately, I now have a loss of performance. Is that normal? The red dot is exactly in line with the laser dot.
Normally I cut poplar plywood with 11ma at 27mm/s now I need 20ma to make a cut. Tanks :)
it is normal to loose a bit of power as the beam passes through the additional lens
Hi Matt,
I have the same machine as you.
Do you have any measurements to the new position of the mount, that you could share? 😊🤞
no I don't have measurements for exact location of the combiner, it is something you will need to place and fit to suit your machine.
Thanks Matt! Your videos are very helpful. Quick question, what is the diameter of the mirror you bought? Nowhere on my Chinese laser there's mention of the diameter of either the mirror or the lens in the nozzle head (I measured the nozzle lens at ~17.9 mm). Thanks!
I used a 25mm mirror on this upgrade. the other mirrors on this machine are usually 20mm
Standard lens shipped and installed on Red&Black is 18mm 50.8mm (2") Focus Gap
is the Red dot an asset with alinement of the Mirrors ??
No. not on these units.
@@MWLaser I bought my Redsail 1290 80watts , in 2013 upgraded to 130 watts a couple of years later, I also now have a 2nd hand GWEIKI 1390N which has this red dot attachment to be fitted, The red dot on my Redsail failed after 12 months. AU
Hi Matt, one question about focus of the red dot. Di you focusing the red dot to 1 mirror?
no focus on mirror 3 at furthest distance of travel
Could you install a beam combiner on a 60 watt laser?
yes
I doubt I could install this modification without this video. Do you have the measurement of how far you offset the new mount from the old unit? Did you find that the rod from the old mount actually placed the reflecting mirror at the same height as the old mirror? I just wonder how much time and effort it will take for me to fine tune and finagle this set up to align the mirrors and be ready to fire the laser up again.
This one I used in this video is definitely more complicated to install than the one without the mirror mount attached. I recommend this one (mwlaser.com.au/product/cloudray-beam-combiner-set/) I bought this one for my new DIY build and it is simpler to install. (I explain where it is mounted in this video ua-cam.com/video/h7wMw_xlWUA/v-deo.html )
On the red&black I did use the old rod to mount so it was at the right height. I have installed the one without the mirror on a few machines now, and in the case of the red& black machines I had to modify the rod or in one case drill a 12mm hole below where the mount was to go, so the rod would slide through the mount and I could adjust height that way.
If you require assistance email me using the contact details on my webpage. Cheers Matt
@@MWLaser It appears the link to the set that you are saying would be better is not working. Do you have another link?
@@MWLaser bad link
if i combine the co2 laser with a 40w diode laser do you think it will increase the power?
No. this is not designed for that purpose.
This is to combine a LED and co2 beam, they are not exactly aligned /combined it is an indication of beam only.
Hi Matt, thank you for all the awsome and informative videos! Could you please confirm if the ZnSe can be fitted either way? (as ther is a small "y" on the side if the lens)
Also, did you need to focus your red dot laser pointer? If so, how should you focus it? For a short focal length? (ie by placing a piece of white paper/tape on/at the ZnSe combiner first?) My 5mw red dot is rather "un-focused" and the sharpness dissipates very fast as I move x/y axis away from the first mirror. Did you need to fiddle and tweek? Thank you again!
The ZnSe window is not a focus lens so it can go in either face forward.
The red dot pointer can be focused into a smaller dot by twisting the sleeve end of the pointer. Not all units have this option. It does take some tweaking to get everything setup correctly. Good Luck. Cheers Matt
@@MWLaser Thank you Matt, I was trying to get the red dot to line up before the laser. After I aligned the laser the red dot was easy. Thank you
hi , nice video, I have a question regarding the laser head that you have on your laser cutter, have you planned to exchange it ?
Thanks Patrick. I have considered it, would like to try different lens so would need to swap laser head... but I've got no plans to it in the near future. Might be a project for next year. Cheers Matt
thank you for sharing Matt I got a older leetro mpc6515c motion control do you know if I can upgrade to a ruida.
thank you in advance
Should be able to, email me more details of controller and your machine cheers Matt@mwlaser.com.au
Could you please let me know the very high power red pointer as I have certain other optics in between which have transmission loss for red pointer?
The ones that are supplied with the beam combiners I use are basic Red LEDs with a 5v supply. These are sufficient for my setup - mwlaser.com.au/product/2235/
However if you need a higher powered one then you may find more information by google search. Cheers Matt
Hey Matts, nice work, just want to ask you if the 10.6µm mirrors reflect the red pointer laser beam as well as the co2 beam?
Hi Amine, Yes the 10.6µm mirrors will reflect both beams.
The Cloudray E Series 1st Mirror Mount with Beam Combiner Set comes with the ZnSe (combiner) Lens and an Si (10.6µm) Mirror.
The ZnSe lens will reflect Red Dot Pointer, the Co2 Laser Beam Passes through it onto the Si Mirror, where both the Red Dot and the Co2 Laser Beam will then reflect off to Mirror 2 etc.
I hope this answers your question. You could check out the product images on this web link for a diagram of the red dot and laser beams path.
www.cloudraylaser.com/products/cloudray-e-series-1st-mirror-mount-including-beam-combiner
Cheers Matthew
@@MWLaser Thank you so much Matts, that answered my question and more.
The screws of the original red dot run into the hydraulic arm of the door. Anyone else having this problem? Will this resolve the issue or does anyone know of a workaround?
Install a red dot combiner and eliminate the pointer on the laser nozzle. or reposition the red dot so it does not collide with the hydraulic arms on your machine
It looks like your mirror and combiner is all on the same piece. Mine is not
Hi, Was about to mention there are 2 versions, the one I have if for the 1st mirror mount and has the mirror and the combiner lens integrated into the one unit. I'll look at the other unit and see how it works and get back to you.