Universal PLS6.150D 150W Laser Engraver

From Pumping Station One


Universal PLS6.150D 150W Laser Engraver Area: Lasers https://wiki.pumpingstationone.org/wiki/Universal_PLS6.150D_150W_Laser_Engraver

Universal PLS6.150D 150W Laser Engraver
File:Tbd
Owner/Loaner PS:One
Serial Number PLS6150DXX082911106339
Make/Model PLS6.150D
Arrival Date August 2017
Usability no
Contact Lasers Area Host
Where CNC Shop
Authorization Needed yes
Hackable no
Estimated Value $17,000
Host Area Lasers





Status

  • 02/18/2019 Out of Service: Assembly out for repair; no ETA on repairs; check Google Group for more details and updates.
  • 12/20/2018 Universal 15OW is running on the top tube only (so, effectively 75W), and even so is cutting weakly.
  • (12/2/2017) Hooked up to ex-Epilog air and exhaust connection. The air assist works but does leak using the quick connect fitting, the other fitting requires a 1/2" (I think) screw fitting which will create a better seal. The x-axis is off by ~3/8", y is off too but didn't measure.

Current status: connected to exhaust and compressed air using the ones designed for the Epilog while the Epilog is out of service. Figuring out authorizations. If you want to be part of that, get in touch with CNC Area Host or folks on the Danger Committee.

  • (2017/05/20) Wiki page created
  • (August 2017) Laser donated from SAIC - thank you, Anna Yu!

Authorization: How to Get Authorized

Authorization for the laser is not viral, meaning you must seek out a Volunteer Authorizer. There are Volunteer Authorizers that tend to run regularly scheduled authorizations. Check the calendar of events: https://pumpingstationone.org/events/ Contact the laser area host at [email protected] if you need to find an authorizer. If no authorizations are scheduled in the next 30 days, then post on the Google Group email list or contact [email protected]; look for a recent thread about laser authorizations and post there.

Danger Committee folks from the other laser systems should consider themselves on the Danger Committee for this bad boy, too. Let's get this thing in regular rotation, stat!

References and Manuals

About

The Universal Laser Systems PLS6.150D is a free-standing platform with a materials processing envelope of 32" x 18" x 9" or 5,184 in³ (813 x 457 x 229 mm or 84,950 cm³) that supports dual lasers. As a dual laser platform, the PLS6.150 can support up to two 10.6µ CO2 lasers with a power range of 10 watts to 150 watts. Additionally, it can support a single 9.3µ CO2 of 30, 50 or 75 watts. (if a 9.3u CO2 laser is installed, only one 10.6 CO2 of up to 75 watts may be installed at the same time.)

This one has two 75Wlasers totaling 150W of power.

The unit was donated from SAIC.

Procedures

Maintenance

Universal Maintenance

Setting Up Your Computer

TIPS:

  • To make your life easier, get used to setting your vector cuts red and raster black.
  • White is one of the colors in the template, but acts as a mask unless you tell it otherwise.
  • Click "Apply" every time you do anything in the print settings, or it won't save.

Air assist

  • Turn on the air assist by flipping the switch dangling from the board behind the laser.
  • Air assist is used for vector cutting to have nice traces and avoid your material to burn. However some people like to have it disabled for raster jobs.
  • Turn air assist off when you've finished and you don't need it while doing your settings.

Water Trap

  • Check the WATER TRAP adjacent to the regulator for accumulated water from time to time. Place a container (and maybe some paper towels) under the regulator and vent accumulated water from the bottom using the small petcock. If too much water accumulates in the regulator, it may flow through the air hose and into the machine, spraying onto the bed/material.

Exhaust

  • Turn on the Exhaust Fan by flipping the switch on the gray box to the left of the Boss Laser.

Powering On Machine

  • Turn on the Power Switch and let the machine complete the entire boot up cycle, approximately 1-2 minutes.

Running your job

Powering Off Machine

  • Allow the Exhaust & Air Assist to run for approximately 10-15 after completing a job. (DO NOT CYCLE THE EXHAUST SYSTEM RAPIDLY).
  • Turn off the Exhaust & Air Assist FIRST
  • Power down the machine
  • Clean up you materials, throw away scrap, make sure the focusing tool is replaced

Laser Materials

https://wiki.pumpingstationone.org/Laser_Materials

Banned Materials

MATERIAL BANNED REASON
PETG, PET Along with other emissions, is known to emit Benzene which is known to cause cancer.
Polystyrene Known to emit styrene fumes.
ABS Emits cyanide gas and tends to melt.
PVC Emits chlorine gas during a cut.
Bending Plywood Bends into the path of the laser carriage during operation.
Tropical Hardwoods A lot of tropical hardwoods have toxins in the wood.
Corian Creates a fine grit inside the laser bed and will grind down equipment.
Casting Wax Melts a lot.
Nylon Emits toxic fumes.
Vinyl Emits chlorine gas during a cut
Delrin Along with other emissions, is known to emit Benzene which is known to cause cancer.
Foamcore Foamcore is an expanded polystyrene and is known to emit styrene fumes when cut.


List of Currently Authorized Users

Qualified Member Trained By Date
Fritz Sullivan Deanna Williams 1/26/2019
Ashish Jasani Ashish Jasani
Dan Sharp Ashish Jasani 1/12/2019
Theo T Ashish Jasani
Revant Ohri Ashish Jasani 12/19/2017
John Zappa Ashish Jasani 12/19/2017
Marta Guerrero Ashish Jasani 12/19/2017
Sam Dreyer Ashish Jasani 1/12/2018
Jeremie Davis Joseph Juhnke 1/27/2018
Kevin Mitchell Joseph Juhnke 1/27/2018
Deanna Williams Joseph Juhnke 1/27/2018
Aaron Carlock Joe Mertz 2/28/2018
Nick Prorok Joe Mertz 2/28/2018
McTavish Mcardle Joe Mertz 2018-05-09
Paul Rapoport Joe Mertz 2018-05-09
Brendan Fortune Deanna Williams 12-May-2018
Chris Laurent Sky Nova 2018-06-30
Aidan Fowler Joe Mertz 2018-08-2