Using the JTech 4.2 Watt Laser on an Axiom CNC - Project Demo Tutorial
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- Опубліковано 21 січ 2021
- In this video I will be using the Jtech 4.2 watt laser, mounted on an Axiom CNC machine, to laser etch the United States Marine Corp Eagle, Globe and Anchor graphic onto a piece of hard maple.
I will demonstrate my design process and my work flow within Vectric VCarve Pro. I will then demonstrate how the laser is set up on the CNC machine to run the job file we create.
The image used in this project is public domain and can be obtained here:
commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Fi...
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Russ Tyndall
Blue Line Wood Flags
www.bluelinewoodflags.com - Навчання та стиль
You nailed it. My machine is near a window and I turn a fan on. I have seen some folks make elaborate exhaust systems. I haven’t found that to be necessary yet. I’m not running it constantly all day long.
Your videos have helped me establish a pretty decent business. I appreciate your time and generosity in giving out information.
So glad they are helpful! More to come.
Instablaster
Smashing the LIKE button - very helpful. Question: how do you manage the smoke created? Is it minimal? Place a fan next to a window to exhaust the whole room?
Exactly what I did! CNC is next to a window. 😀
Nice instruction..how do i change the delay back for regular CNC cutting? And Do you have a demo of how you made those vectors in Illustrator? Where can i get a copy?
Just go into your spindle delay again the way you did to start, highlight it, and press DEL on the pendant. Then put in 4000 milliseconds and press enter and you’ll be back to where you need to be.
The Marines Eagle Globe and Anchor artwork was obtained from the public domain as I recall. I had to remove some color and used portions of the logo for the laser demo.
Stay tuned to the channel for how I work with these vectors in Illustrator!
great video! How long did it take to run? Can you feel any depth to the burn? Do you finish it with light sanding or stain or anything?
Thanks. It took about an hour and a half to run the project. I started with a piece of maple sanded to 400 grit, so I’ll probably just clear coat it with som spray lacquer.
thanks
Can the 4.2w version engrave metal? And how thick of wood/plywood can it cut?
I don't know about metals. This is what they say on their sales page: Engrave on wood, leather, acrylics, and many other materials!
Cut thin and non dense woods like Balsa, Basswood, and thin plywood! Cut many types other materials like foam and acrylics!
I have never cut anything. I have only used it for company branding and logos on the back of my projects.
Hi Russ...love the tutorial...i have a quick question, after i updated Vectric Aspire to 11.5, when i create a laser toolpath using the Quick Engrave, i cannot see any preview. I am using your exact settings for the laser tool, and for the Quick Engrave, and i have the laser post processor installed in Vectric...im using an Axiom pro 5 CNC...am i doing something wrong?
Hi Stephen. You won’t see any laser preview, just the tool path before you try and run a preview in 3D view. 3D will only show carvings, where the laser is not. Hopefully that answers your question. It was the same before you upgraded. Try running the program on some scrap and I think you’ll see it works.
@@BlueLineCNC Thanks again Russ.. I thought I was doing something wrong in the software..I hope Axiom does make their machine compatible with the laser module in vectric at some point though.
Russ...how do i select the j tech laser in the box when making the tool path? I already downloaded the laser post processor, but i do not see J tech as an option to select when selecting the tool
Setting up your Jtech as a tool to use is separate from setting up the post processor. If you are using an Axiom machine, they well document both in their included manual. Read it thoroughly. If you still have difficulty, send me your email address through my website contact form. bluelinewoodflags.com
How do you count off 80 mm to home the laser? A ruler? A caliper? Where do you start the measurement?
Your laser is mounted -80mm offset on the Y axis, therefore use your pendant to reposition by moving your laser 80mm in the Y+ direction. Once you have repositioned, you can re-zero your XY. Don’t use anything but your machine - let it do the work for you. Assuming you use an Axiom machine, just use your pendant to accurately move it. Just start your measurement from the spindle zero point and move 80mm Y+ from there. Hope all that made sense.
@@BlueLineCNC It made sense and helps a lot...many thanks :) ..looking forward to more of your great projects
I'm having trouble when the spindle lifts the laser does not shut off (and leaving slight lines at it moves to the next position to burn). I looked back and when I save it to the laser post processor it automatically reverts back to the cnc p.p. after it goes through the save process.
Make sure your spindle delay is set to 0. For regular operations, it should be 4000 milliseconds (at least that’s my settings). You change that in machine set-up. Not sure why it’s switching post processors on you as long as the laser one is the one associated with your file. I followed Axiom instructions to the letter, line by line, and had no problems. The quick engrave tool paths operation is the way to go go with laser engraving. Just remember the J-tec lasers that Axiom sells are not set up for shading/grayscale.
@@BlueLineCNC Yup I had all those settings in place, I just redownloaded the post processor from jtech and it worked maybe since the last time I used it it got updated for newer versions of aspire???? but whatever it works, thanks for the reply!
Glad it’s working correctly for you.