The Aloft Laser Cutter

[Raymond Gaskins]

Have never considered pre-soaking the timber, what does that try to achieve. I would have though water just adds to what the laser needs to cut through. The important requirements are the following.
1. Air assist while cutting.
2. Refrigerated CO/2 tube cooling system.
3. Good smoke extraction and possibly filtering before exhausting to the out side world.
4. A good cad program.
5. Lightburn to control your cutter.

Henny
I do not know anything about this yet but the OMTECH website had an article suggesting this could lead to less charring on some very dry woods in addition to doing the things you mentioned. Being an absolute beginner ( the laser will not arrive for another week or so) I am reading up on the subject. Plan to use Lightburn running on Windows OS. Will be using a water cooling system and my workshop which is almost completed is equipped with major particle and fume extraction as well as a 5 stage filter system which will attach to the laser exhaust.
Thanks,
Raymond

 

[thenated0g]

Never seen any mention of soaking wood

 

[Raymond Gaskins]

Never seen any mention of soaking wood

I am attaching screenshots addressing this that I got from the OMTECH website; again, I am a newbie to this. Last shot discusses wood moisture level and pre soaking.
Raymond

 

[Wayne]

Not heard of wood soaking either. I'd avoid it for fear of warping and shrinking.

Raymond what machine did you order?

The 100 watt could cut fiberglass, but it was not very pretty. Looking forward to trying the 130 watt on it. Hmm, maybe try some carbon fiber plate, I would think that would be a no go, but I thought the fiberglass would fail, so you never know till you try it.

Raymond - Get rid of the fans and air compressor Omtech supplies. Use dry shop air from a real compressor and make sure you have a good blower for the air extraction. If you are going to filter, be mindful that it will not burn. I don't know the risks of possible fire in the filter, but fire in the laser is a real thing. Keep some fire control methods close by. A little water spritzer is good to have at the machine for the little pop ups that can occur. Typically fire is not much of a concern, but with some of the lens options you may play with in the future it can become a very real problem.

Otherwise just get a bunch of cheap stuff to run through the laser while you learn. Cardboard or foam board is great. Corrugated materials will hold a bit of smoke in them... but they are cheap.

It is amazing how good a little cardboard with some spray paint can look. LOL

Many fun projects are ahead for you.

 

[thenated0g]

i keep a spray bottle hanging on the laser at all times in case of small fires. usually with paper products before you dial into the correct recipe.

 

[HENNY]

The air extraction fan that comes with the Omtech machine is marginal, I have added an additional 8 inch extraction system and can cut even with the lid open. The bucket and pond pump for tube cooling that comes with the machine for any machine above 50 watts is also marginal. If you can afford a larger machine also go for the refrigerated water cooling system to ensure long tube life.

 

[Raymond Gaskins]

Not heard of wood soaking either. I'd avoid it for fear of warping and shrinking.

Raymond what machine did you order?

The 100 watt could cut fiberglass, but it was not very pretty. Looking forward to trying the 130 watt on it. Hmm, maybe try some carbon fiber plate, I would think that would be a no go, but I thought the fiberglass would fail, so you never know till you try it.

Raymond - Get rid of the fans and air compressor Omtech supplies. Use dry shop air from a real compressor and make sure you have a good blower for the air extraction. If you are going to filter, be mindful that it will not burn. I don't know the risks of possible fire in the filter, but fire in the laser is a real thing. Keep some fire control methods close by. A little water spritzer is good to have at the machine for the little pop ups that can occur. Typically fire is not much of a concern, but with some of the lens options you may play with in the future it can become a very real problem.

Otherwise just get a bunch of cheap stuff to run through the laser while you learn. Cardboard or foam board is great. Corrugated materials will hold a bit of smoke in them... but they are cheap.

It is amazing how good a little cardboard with some spray paint can look. LOL

Many fun projects are ahead for you.

I appreciate the recommendations. I went ahead and ponied up for the 150 watt machine. The cooling system I ordered was the stand alone 6 gallon version. Is distilled water ok or should I use the specialized laser antifreeze? I thought the antifreeze would only be needed if ambient temps were in the freezing range and my new workshop is on an HVAC system.
I will definitely keep some spray bottles of water around and a hefty Halon extinguisher nearby. I have personally witnessed the damage that a regular CO2 extinguisher can do to electronics when a motorcycle I was working on caught fire.
Raymond

 

[Wayne]

Wow, you found a Halon extinguisher? Thought they were off the market?

Yes, the powder extinguishers are about as destructive to metals as the fire they put out. BAD! I have heard of vehicles being totaled due to the rust from the left over powder even though the owner tried to clean it all out. It gets into EVERYTHING.

 

[Raymond Gaskins]

Wow, you found a Halon extinguisher? Thought they were off the market?

Yes, the powder extinguishers are about as destructive to metals as the fire they put out. BAD! I have heard of vehicles being totaled due to the rust from the left over powder even though the owner tried to clean it all out. It gets into EVERYTHING.

Wayne
You can still buy Halon extinguishers but they are unbelievably expensive. However, for something as expensive and delicate as a laser cutter, well worth the expense.
Attached is a reliable source from the aviation industry.
Raymond

 

[HENNY]

I appreciate the recommendations. I went ahead and ponied up for the 150 watt machine. The cooling system I ordered was the stand alone 6 gallon version. Is distilled water ok or should I use the specialized laser antifreeze? I thought the antifreeze would only be needed if ambient temps were in the freezing range and my new workshop is on an HVAC system.
I will definitely keep some spray bottles of water around and a hefty Halon extinguisher nearby. I have personally witnessed the damage that a regular CO2 extinguisher can do to electronics when a motorcycle I was working on caught fire.
Raymond

Distilled water is the correct solution. A 150 watt machine will produce quite a bit of heat. The water at even 100 watts will heat up quite quickly, water at above 25 deg C may reduce your tube life so I would be keeping a close eye on whats happening.

 

[Mucksmear]

Just saw an IG add for Element fire extinguisher (elementfire.com). Claims no mess/residue. Might be a good candidate for putting out laser cutter fires without destroying the machine. About Anyone heard of them? About $90 for an extinguisher that provides a 50 second discharge

 

[Wayne]

Watched a video of one in use - Wouldn't want one for a big fire, but seems good if you have a smaller fire that has not yet spread.

 

[rcsoar4fun]

Aircraft Spruce sells a bunch of halon-replacement fire extinguishers.

It has been an ongoing challenge of replacing halon in computer datacenters. Water is a bad idea, chemical replacements are expensive.

If you have never used a regular ABC fire extinguisher in a closed space, it is an event. The powder gets everywhere.

 

[Wayne]

It gets everywhere and it rusts everything.