Among the materials for presentable decor, plywood is most popular due to its operational qualities. In addition, it is easy to handle. Curly plywood products made using machine tools are becoming increasingly popular. Such products have three-dimensional patterns and the finest processing. Practical minds of masters ask themselves: is it possible to make a laser machine with your own hands or do you need to spend money on a finished one? First you need to understand all the intricacies of machine cutting plywood.
What is a laser cutting machine?
Laser engraving technology allows you to transfer drawings in volume to a plywood sheet. This method is innovative, but has already earned popularity among carpenters and home craftsmen.
The effect of the beam is based on microfractures of wood, similar in intensity to welding. When exposed to high temperature, the contact area is burned out.
The installation, which is a key part of the device, implements laser radiation. For processing, hydrocarbon lasers are used, therefore, it is impossible to assemble a laser cutting machine with your own hands without this part.
Pros of using laser processing
The interest in assembling a laser machine for cutting plywood with their own hands is due to the high cost of factory models. Such devices provide additional opportunities for manipulating products that are not available under mechanical stress. Laser-based devices are used both on an industrial scale and by home craftsmen, as well as by small entrepreneurs.
A distinctive feature of laser cutting is the seam width, 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 laser-assembled machine is not inferior in quality to the cut to industrial counterparts and is distinguished by the same technological processes inside the device.
Among the features of the application of laser cutting technology are the following:
- The area of interaction with the beam inevitably acquires a darker shade.
- Using this method avoids mechanical deformation, since there is no need to apply classical efforts.
- When choosing a source of wood for work, preference should be given to species with the lowest resin content.
- Laser processing produces a small amount of chips.
- When carrying out large volumes 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.
- Laser operation is controlled by numerical control (CNC), which allows you to fully automate the processing process.
Principle of operation
Before assembling a CNC laser machine with your own hands, you should understand the basic elements of the device and the mechanism of their work.
A typical carbon dioxide laser setup has a tube filled with gas molecules as the main element. The electric current supplied to the catalyst gas brings the molecules into a state of increased vibration, due to which the light beam passing through the tube is amplified. Optical elements inside the laser system enhance the light flux and give it repeatedly reflected.
For autonomous operation of the machine requires an automated mechanism that moves the laser device. It is called a positioning device, its work is coordinated by software. When a hole is formed in a certain place in the material, the laser carriage must be moved to another point so that the structure of the tree is not destroyed.
Figured cutting sequence
Figured cutting on a plywood sheet includes the main steps:
- First of all, a picture is created. This is either done by hand applied 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, depends on the thickness of the surface.
- Drawing a picture on a material with the set speed. As a rule, a high engraving speed is accompanied by a large darkening of the edges of the cut.
Is it possible to make a laser machine with your own hands? Yes, this is a real challenge.
To assemble a laser CNC machine with your own hands, you need to pay attention to the sliding guides; drives are in great abundance in stores of the appropriate 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 realistic to make a laser machine for plywood with your own hands, which confirms the experience of inventive craftsmen.
Accessories that 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 with your own hands:
- Laser converter device. A laser gun must be purchased, since its manufacture is laborious and does not justify the effort.
- Also, a special carriage must be present in the installation, the smooth operation of which will determine the result of the machine. Guides can be made from improvised means, but they should capture the entire area of the processed surface. 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 the execution of commands transmitted from the control point to the laser.
- The software required to enter data and the desired pattern or pattern.
- It is also necessary to ensure the outflow of harmful products resulting from the combustion process. For this, an established system of local ventilation will be optimal.
Related materials for making a DIY laser machine
When assembling, you will need boards, couplers, fasteners, a screwdriver, devices for cutting metal and wood, grinding, as well as lubricants and cooling materials.
For electronic control, the Arduino R3 microcontroller is most often used; a board with a display and a computer will also be needed to control the commands.
Machine assembly sequence
A DIY homemade laser machine assembled with your own hands gives cause for pride to the master, and also allows you to thoroughly understand the process of filigree processing of wood materials.
The main stages of the complete set of the installation can be represented as successive steps:
- Preparation of materials.
- Collection of management components.
- The complete set of the mechanical part.
- Setting cutting parameters.
- Start of the machine.
Preparation of necessary materials and equipment
The required parts must be prepared, they must be available at any time. This will allow assembly at a measured and coordinated pace. In order to make a laser machine with your own hands, drawings can be used ready-made, but you can do it yourself.
Electric circuit assembly
The control system relies on the work of the board, which can be purchased ready-made or assembled on the basis of the microcircuit. Among the most simple for home use, the Arduino chip is distinguished. The photo below shows the assembly diagram of the electronic board for a laser CNC machine made by yourself.
Full set
The design of the shuttles for the future device is assembled using rods that are inserted into their sides, responsible for the coordinate axes in a two-dimensional projection. The guide rods should first be sanded with sandpaper or a grinder. Then they need to be treated with prepared grease for a smoother movement.
In the movable mechanism, first of all, mechanisms are mounted to ensure movement, then ball bearings. The final step is to install belts. Assembling a laser engraving machine with your own hands, it is convenient to use a metal base, twice the size of the moving mechanisms. Fasteners can serve as 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 formed mobile system and it is attached with a self-tapping screw to a wooden base.
automation and control
An important point in the operation of a self-assembled unit is the synchronous operation of the rail engines, which is achieved by connecting the control, which is carried out by a board that is the same for both mechanisms.
The programs necessary to start a homemade machine are available on the Web. The required utilities must be downloaded to the computer used to control it. Among the most popular for laser cutting: Inkscape, Arduno IDE, Universal Gcode Sender (version 1.0.7).
These programs are installed according to the standard template, after which you can begin to set the parameters of the contour of the future pattern.
To control cutting and engraving parameters, such as power (i.e., burning temperature) and laser speed, you will need to configure 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 begin to configure the cutting parameters.
Laser Cutting Task
To set the desired pattern or picture, you can use the digitized drawing by hand or create a picture in a graphics program. In openwork patterns, it is important to ensure that all elements are connected and the main structure remains integral.
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 tidier and slower exposure.
When loading an image, one should take into account the requirements of a program that uses a vector format for work. You can change the picture settings in the graphic editors Adobe Illustrator and Inkscape.
It should also be noted that if there are filled places in the figure, the outline of these parts will not be filled.
Setting and cutting
When adjusting the cutting parameters, it is necessary to check the correspondence of the coordinate values of the X and Y axes in the program with the similar characteristics of the vector image. Next, you need to set the speed of the machine and direct the laser head at an angle required to obtain the required volumetric pattern on the tree.
The last required action is to start cutting and enjoy the do-it-yourself laser machine.
Safety during cutting and engraving
When working with a laser cutting device, you must adhere to safety regulations. The critical point is the potential threat posed by a working laser. The contact of the laser beam with the skin causes burns even with short exposure. In addition, you should protect your eyes when working with this type of device, since radiation from the retina can cause irreversible blindness.
Nowadays, any idea of an inventive craftsman working with wood can be embodied with the help of modern processing technologies, so that you can get works of art from rough material. If there is a desire to save money on equipment, small efforts 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 the conditions of our own workshop allows us not only to produce products for our own use, but also to use it as a means of earning.