Among the materials for a presentable decor, plywood is the most popular due to its performance. In addition, it is easy to process. Figured plywood products made using machine tools are becoming increasingly popular. Such products have three-dimensional patterns and the finest processing. The practical minds of the craftsmen are wondering: is it possible to make a laser machine with your own hands or do you need to spend money on a ready-made one? First you need to understand all the intricacies of machine cutting plywood.
What is a laser shape cutting machine?
Laser engraving technology allows you to transfer drawings in volume onto a sheet of plywood. This method is innovative, but has already earned popularity among carpenters and home craftsmen.
The impact of the beam is based on microdestruction of wood, similar inwelding intensity. When exposed to high temperature, the contact area is subject to burnout.
Installation, which is a key part of the device, carries out the beam effect of the laser. Hydrocarbon lasers are used for processing, therefore, it is impossible to assemble a laser cutting machine without this part.
Pros of using laser treatment
Interest in assembling a laser machine for cutting plywood with your own hands is due to the high cost of factory models. Such devices provide additional opportunities in the manipulation of products that are not available under mechanical action. Devices based on laser exposure are used both on an industrial scale and by home craftsmen, as well as small entrepreneurs.
A distinctive feature of laser cutting is the width of the seam, which can only slightly exceed the thickness of the laser beam of the device. This allows you to apply an accurate drawing, as close as possible to a given layout. A self-assembled laser machine is not inferior in terms of the quality of the cut to industrial counterparts and is distinguished by the same technological processes inside the device.
Among the features of laser cutting technology are the following:
- The area of interaction with the beam inevitably becomes darker.
- Using this method avoids mechanical deformation, since there is no need to apply classical forces.
- When choosing a wood sourcefor work, breeds with the lowest resin content should be preferred.
- Laser cutting produces a small amount of chips.
- Carrying out large amounts of work through machining, care should be taken to have a ventilation system.
- The uniformity of the cut obtained during the cutting process is affected by the set temperature and the speed of the laser beam.
- The operation of the laser is controlled by numerical control (CNC), which allows you to fully automate the processing process.
Working principle
Before you assemble a CNC laser machine with your own hands, you should understand the main elements of the device and the mechanism of their work.
A typical carbon dioxide laser setup has a tube filled with gas molecules as its main element. An electric current applied to the catalyst gas puts the molecules into a state of increased vibration, thereby amplifying the light beam passing through the tube. The optical elements inside the laser machine amplify the light flux and give it out as multiple reflections.
For autonomous operation of the machine, an automated mechanism is required that moves the laser device. It is called a positioning device, its work is coordinated by software. When a hole is formed at a certain point in the material, the laser carriage must be moved to another point so that the wood structure is not destroyed.
Sequence curlycutting
Plywood sheet shape cutting includes the main steps:
- First of all, a drawing is created. This is either done manually by applying to the material, or set electronically.
- Next, the cutting mode is selected, the main characteristic of which is the radiation power. The intensity of burning, in turn, directly depends on the thickness of the surface.
- Drawing a pattern on the material at a given speed. As a rule, a high engraving speed is accompanied by a large darkening of the cut edges.
Is it possible to make a laser machine with your own hands? Yes, it's a real challenge.
To assemble a laser CNC machine with your own hands, you need to pay attention to the sliding of the guides; drives are presented in great abundance in stores of the corresponding profile.
Thus, if you use the main components similar to those in the factory settings, and apply the principle of equivalent replacement of parts, it is quite possible to make a laser machine for plywood with your own hands, which confirms the experience of resourceful craftsmen.
Components you will need
Before assembling a laser machine with your own hands, you need to take care of the following important components, the tandem of which will allow you to get high-quality work from a laser engraving machine assembled by yourself:
- Laser converter device. The laser gun must be purchased as it is labor intensive and not worth the effort.
- Also, the installation must contain a specialcarriage, on the smoothness of the movement of which the result of the machine will depend. Guides can be made from improvised means, but they must capture the entire area of the surface to be treated. Thus, you will need motors that will need to be connected to the electronic board, relays, timing belts and bearings.
- The electronic power supply of the laser device, which is also responsible for executing commands transmitted from the control point to the laser.
- Software required for data entry and required pattern or pattern.
- It is also necessary to ensure the outflow of harmful products formed during the combustion process. For this, an established local ventilation system will be optimal.
Associated materials for making a laser machine with your own hands
Assembly will require boards, ties, fasteners, a screwdriver, tools for cutting metal and wood, grinding, as well as lubricants and coolants.
For electronic control, the Arduino R3 microcontroller is most often used, you will also need a board with a display and a computer to control commands.
Machine assembly sequence
Hand-assembled homemade CNC laser machine gives pride to the master, and also allows you to thoroughly understand the process of filigree processing of wood materials.
The main stages of the installation configuration can be represented as successive steps:
- Preparation of materials.
- Collecting control components.
- Mechanical package.
- Set cutting parameters.
- Start machine operation.
Preparing the necessary materials and equipment
The required parts must be prepared, they must be available at any time. This will allow you to assemble at a measured and well-coordinated pace. In order to make a laser machine with your own hands, the drawings can be used ready-made, or you can do it yourself.
Assembling the electrical circuit
The control system relies on the operation of the board, which can be purchased ready-made or assembled on the basis of a microcircuit. Among the simplest for home use, the Arduino chip is distinguished. The photo below shows an assembly diagram of an electronic board for a do-it-yourself laser CNC machine.
Full set
The design of the shuttles for the future device is assembled using rods that are inserted into their sides, which are responsible for the coordinate axes in a two-dimensional projection. The guide rods should first be sanded with sandpaper or a grinder. Next, they need to be treated with prepared lubricant for smoother movement.
In the movable mechanism, first of all, mechanisms are mounted to ensure movement, then - ball bearings. The final step is to install the belts. Assembling the DIY laser engraving machine, it is convenient to usemetal base, twice the size of the driving mechanisms. Fasteners can be self-tapping screws that are inserted into pre-prepared holes. A metal bracket is mounted on the center of the machine, and a bearing system is installed along the curved edges of the metal base. A belt with teeth is put on the resulting movable system and it is fastened with a self-tapping screw to a wooden base.
Automation and control
An important point in the operation of the hand-assembled unit is the synchronous operation of the guide motors, which is achieved by connecting the control, which is carried out by the board, which is the same for both mechanisms.
The programs needed to run a homemade machine are available on the Web. The required utilities must be downloaded to the computer used for management. Among the most popular for working with laser cutting: Inkscape, Arduno IDE, Universal Gcode Sender (version 1.0.7).
The indicated programs are installed according to a standard template, after which you can start setting the parameters of the contour of the future drawing.
To control cutting and engraving parameters such as power (i.e. burn temperature) and laser speed, you will need to set up the Arduno IDE board. First of all, you should download the GRBL code, which can be selected from the list offered by the program. Then you can start to adjust the cutting parameters.
Setting a pattern for laser cutting
To set the desired pattern or picture, you can usedigitized freehand drawing or create a drawing in a graphics program. In openwork patterns, it is important to ensure that all elements are connected and the main structure remains intact.
The speed and degree of heating of the laser head can be determined with a little practice. An important role is played by the thickness and nature of the material used for processing. Thin sheets of wood require a more gentle and slow action.
When uploading an image, you should take into account the requirements of the program that uses vector format for work. You can change the drawing parameters in the graphic editors Adobe Illustrator and Inkscape.
It should also be noted that if there are filled areas in the figure, the outline of these parts will not be filled.
Setting and cutting
When setting cutting parameters, you need to check whether the values of the X and Y axes coordinates in the program correspond to those of the vector image. Next, you should set the speed of the machine and direct the laser head at an angle required to obtain the required volume of the pattern on the tree.
The last thing you need to do is start cutting and enjoy your DIY laser machine.
Cutting and Engraving Safety
While working with the laser cutting machine, you must follow the safety regulations. The critical point is the potential threat posed by a working laser. Contactlaser beam with the skin causes burns even with a short exposure. In addition, you should protect your eyes when working with this type of device, since radiation on the retina can cause permanent blindness.
Nowadays, any idea of an inventive woodworker can be realized with the help of modern processing technologies, thanks to which it is possible to obtain works of art from a rough material. If there is a desire to save money on equipment, a little effort will allow you to assemble a laser machine with your own hands, and it will serve its owner for a long time, delighting with openwork and high-quality wood products.
The introduction of laser cutting technology in our own workshop allows us not only to produce products for our own use, but also to use it as a means of earning money.
