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Buildlog.net 2.x Laser
February 28th, 2011 by bdring
The second generation open source laser cutter/engraver design from buildlog.net is complete. The new machine is called the Buildlog.net 2.x Laser. The name comes from the fact that this is the second generation machine and it is basically a 2 axis design. The third, vertical axis, is manually controlled with an optional upgrade to digital control. The 2.x Laser takes all the optimizations learned from the first laser and all the other lasers documented on buildlog.net forum.
The usable work envelope is just under 12” x 20” x 4”. The internal design has been optimized so the overall size of the machine is much smaller than the previous design and can easily fit on a small table. It is designed to work with 40W CO2 lasers sealed gas lasers. The frame is built from inexpensive 20mm aluminum T Slot extrusions and the skin is made from a painted aluminum and HDPE laminate.
The first major improvement is in the linear bearing system. The 2.x Laser uses Delrin V groove wheels running on V rails. The custom Delrin bearings are a lot cheaper and run smoother and quieter than the previous metal on metal system.
The next major improvement is in the electronics layout. All the primary electronic systems are contained in a simple electronics module. This has an interface PCB that makes wiring a simple 1:1 connection for each item. The module is removable so all assembly can be done outside the enclosure. The electronics are compatible with 3.3V or 5V control systems whether they are PC based like EMC2 or Mach3 or dedicated commercial or open source controllers.
The original laser attempted to be self replicating with regards to most of the fabricated parts. That limited the materials that could be used. The 2.x Laser drops that goal and concentrates on a more robust design with stronger metal parts. Shimming, drilling and tapping fragile parts is no longer required. The rest of the design was simplified wherever possible. There are less parts and many of the parts self align.
The design is completely open source with all drawings, schematics, BOMs (with sources and prices), 3D models, build instructions, software and Gerber files available. There are kits for anything that is not readily available for people who cannot fabricate their own. Due to the smaller size, the enclosure skins can now be fabricated on smaller home routers or can be purchased as a kit.
The design is supported by a robust community of laser builders and users at the buildlog.net forum.
Drawings Page
Bill Of Materials Page
Kits Page
[...] Read more about it on the Buildlog.net blog. [...]
[...] Buildlog.net 2.x Laser is a second generation open source laser cutter that definitely improves the design of the first model. The 2 axis machine (optional vertical axis [...]
[...] Buildlog.net 2.x Laser is a second generation open source laser cutter that definitely improves the design of the first model. The 2 axis machine (optional vertical axis [...]
what’s the prospected price range of this project?
It depends how much you do on your own. The project is setup so people with access to a CNC router can do a lot on their own. It will probably cost $450 to $800 to get a running XY system under CNC control. You then need to add the laser tube and power supply which will add another $400 or more.
I want one, when is the ETA on making complete kits that can be purchased online?
The prototype production run is sold out. The next run is 4 to 6 weeks out.
buildlog.net has some horrible policies. They require registration just to READ their documents! Even the infamous instructables.net hasn’t stooped to this level. Not only that…but accounts require manual activation by the administrator??
I apologize for that.
The only thing you need to register for is to see the BOM. Everything else can be anonymously read. The BOM is a live, editable micro ERP system that needs some form of authentication. Rather than write that portion scratch, I hacked into the forum’s system. I have been meaning to add a read only guest user, but have not had the time. I have been a little busy.
Edit — done…guest access allowed. Now use that 30 seconds I saved you to give back to some open source community somewhere
this would sit nicely next to my Fireball CNC….
Question: is everything included in the kit, so when I purchase I can assemble and use on day one? or do I have to buy EXTRA materials, like lasers and so forth?
All my stuff sold out the first day the project was released to the public. The next batch of parts is due at the end of the month.
Got to the forum at www.buildlog.net to read about what is included. There are things that are much cheaper to buy off eBay and other Internet sites, so I do not sell them.
Follow the forum, view the drawings and build instructions until the next batch is ready and you will probably understand what is required.
[...] takes off, evidence of the benefits of this practice continues to surface in projects such as the BuildLog.net 2.x Laser project, a 2nd generation open source laser cutting/engraving station created by Barton Dring over [...]
what do you plan for the software part?
Something opensourc’ed?
There are a lot of software options. It can be run from CAM controllers like Mach3 or EMC2 (open source). It can also be run from dedicated embedded controllers. There are several commercial versions and a few open source projects. I did a prove of concept open source XMOS based controller. There is this project… www.laoslaser.org/. There are also a few, yet to be announced projects in development.
When the next production run is available, do you have a price? An estimate is OK.
The laser is an open source DIY project I sell kits to help people who cannot fabricate parts themselves. The kits page is here.
www.buildlog.net/cnc_laser/store/2x_kits_and_parts.php
There is a long waiting list, so the delivery time is about 4 weeks
Me gustaria recibir mas informacion de esta maquina para poder fabricarla yo mismo.
Muchas Gracias.
[...] tested it in my laser yet. I don’t have the time right now, so I am going to have another 2.x laser owner do that for me….stay tuned for part [...]
where can I get the CAD files for this thing? Only a few items are listed on www.buildlog.net/sm_laser/drawings.html
What exactly do you need? I can supply 3D CAD files on request. They are too big and change too often to maintain on-line.
So far I would like to look at the Gantry Assembly.
Are the V rails, rollers and carriage plate available for purchase?
The current design steel v rail, aluminum extrusion and delrin wheels. An improved version integrating the v rail into the extrusion is in production and will be available in about a month.
www.makerslide.com
store.makerslide.com
Hi bdring,
Awesome build!
What limits this design to a 40W laser? Is it the laser tube mounting, or are there other issues with using a higher power tube and power supply?
How small can the features be? I’m wondering if this could be used to cut mylar solder paste stencils (like pololu does) with around 1 mil accuracy.
Thanks!
The width of larger tubes may exceed the width of the space for the tube.
I did this solder stencil on the 2.x machine.
www.buildlog.net/blog/2011/09/diy-solder-stencil-on-a-diy-laser/
Hi, I’m considering either building my own laser cutter or buying a chinese one. Was just wondering if in addition to the drawings etc there was instructions as well. I couldn’t see any when I looked.
Thanks
There are build instructions in this Google Doc
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1iVQeWYY46U0fAKGl2SnBshu2rk53asWWtqljsoPPLGc/edit?hl=en
There is also a new Wiki with some more questions answered.
www.buildlog.net/wiki/doku.php?id=2x:2.x_laser
The forum also has a lot of information.
www.buildlog.net/forum/index.php