Changes

| arrived= January 2017

| arrived= January 2017

| doesitwork=yes

| doesitwork=yes

| contact=[[CNC|CNC Area Host]]  

| contact=[[CNC|Lasers Area Host]]  

| where=CNC Shop

| where=CNC Shop

| certification=yes  

| certification=yes ([email protected])

| hackable=no  

| hackable=no  

| value=$17,000

| value=$17,000

| image = BossLaser2.jpg

| image = BossLaser2.jpg

| hostarea = CNC

| hostarea = Lasers

}}

}}

The BOSS LS-3655 is an industrial CO2 laser engraver with a 35.4" x 55.1" bed, supporting over-sized material pass-thru on four sides and up to 7 inches of table depth.  Originally shipped with 100W tube, but that has been replaced with 150W tube in May, 2017.

The BOSS LS-3655 is an industrial CO2 laser engraver with a 35.4" x 55.1" bed, supporting over-sized material pass-thru on four sides and up to 7 inches of table depth.  Originally shipped with 100W tube, but that has been replaced with 150W tube in May, 2017.

== Status ==

== Status ==

* (2019/07/25) Beam Combiner installed; Mirrors and Red beam aligned.  Red dot is slightly left (about 3/4 of a dot) of actual cut.  A few more parts needed, but the Boss is operational.

* (2019/07/25) Beam Combiner installed; Mirrors and Red beam aligned.  Red dot is slightly left (about 3/4 of a dot) of actual cut.  A few more parts needed, but the Boss is operational.

* (2019/06/26) Working, 4-in Len replaced by Joe M.  Still waiting on Beam Combiner.

* (2019/06/26) Working, 4-in Len replaced by Joe M.  Still waiting on Beam Combiner.

== Authorization ==

== Authorization ==

How to get authorized: contact the CNC Area Host or one of the Volunteer Authorizers.  

How to get authorized: contact the [email protected] and a laser volunteer will contact you to setup a time.  

===Authorizers ===

===Authorizers ===

====Area Host====

====Area Host====

* Joe Mertz

* [[wiki.pumpingstationone.org/Category:CNC]]

====Volunteer authorizers:====

====Volunteer authorizers:====

*Jeff Zelnio

*Jeff Zelnio

*

*Andrew Camardella

 

 

=== Preparing yourself to become authorized ===

=== Preparing yourself to become authorized ===

* 1. Know what you're doing as best as you can - come pre-trained on your own time to make the authorization go smoother and faster.

* 1. Know what you're doing as best as you can - come pre-trained on your own time to make the authorization go smoother and faster.

* 2. Have a PS1 username set up before starting the authorization http://members.pumpingstationone.org (from 2018 onwards, you will create a username as part of the signup process or migration to the Wild Apricot-managed member management system. A username is not an email address.

* 2. Have a PS1 username set up before starting the authorization http://membership.pumpingstationone.org

 

* 3. Have some familiarity with the kinds of files you would bring to the Boss to cut.

* 3. Have some familiarity with the kinds of files you would bring to the Boss to cut.

To that end; you could download and become familiar a bit with RDWorks, the software you will use to drive the Boss. Links are on this page.

To that end; you could download and become familiar a bit with RDWorks, the software you will use to drive the Boss. Links are on this page.

You can read a bit of the manual, which is also linked on this page, or watch some YouTube videos.  

You can read a bit of the manual, which is also linked on this page, or watch some YouTube videos.  

Bring files in from Adobe Illustrator in Illustrator format, with lines set to have SOME sort of stroke, I'd recommend 1 point stroke, and some simple color applied to the stroke for each "layer" you want to have in RDWorks. You will want to have one color/layer assigned for each type or strength of cut/engrave you'll be doing in that job. For instance, you might want a deep engraving, a shallow engraving, a cut that goes all the way through the material and maybe a cut that just barely touches the top surface (called a 'kiss cut) and that would mean you would need four distinct colors of stroke used in your file. You should investigate the usefullness of SVG, DXF and DWG files as well, but Illustrator files will give you the best first experiences.  

Bring files in from Adobe Illustrator in Illustrator format, with lines set to have SOME sort of stroke, I'd recommend 1 point stroke, and some simple color applied to the stroke for each "layer" you want to have in RDWorks. You will want to have one color/layer assigned for each type or strength of cut/engrave you'll be doing in that job. For instance, you might want a deep engraving, a shallow engraving, a cut that goes all the way through the material and maybe a cut that just barely touches the top surface (called a 'kiss cut) and that would mean you would need four distinct colors of stroke used in your file. You should investigate the usefullness of SVG, DXF and DWG files as well, but Illustrator files will give you the best first experiences.  

== Cleaning, Alignment & Maintenance ==

== Cleaning, Alignment & Maintenance ==

* When changing the lens, make sure the convex/domed side of the lens is facing upwards (towards the ceiling) -- "BUBBLE UP"

General info below. More here: [[wiki.pumpingstationone.org/BOSS_Maintenance]]

 

* Clean out air filter once a week using the Shopvac.

* Clean out air filter once a week using the Shopvac.

* Sometimes the nozzle itself can get clogged with soot & debris so make sure to clean that out as well.

* Sometimes the nozzle itself can get clogged with soot & debris so make sure to clean that out as well.

* If laser is having problems cutting, run simple diagnostic tests first BEFORE assuming and attempting lens alignment. The alignment document (linked below) shows how to do a 4 corner test. The first video (linked below) shows how to check if laser is firing straight down with a piece of clear acrylic.

* Advanced maintenance is performed by trained volunteers. Please do not attempt to align or diagnose the Boss unless you have clearance from the Laser Area Host.

* When using blue sided tape to test, be careful to not touch or smudge the mirrors and carefully clean with alcohol and q-tip mirors if they do get dirty. During pulse tests, you can try placing piece of aluminum foil sandwiched between two pieces of blue tape to prevent smoke/residue build up.

'''Alignment Links'''

'''Alignment Links'''

|Jeff Z

|Jeff Z

|10/03/19

|10/03/19

|-

|-

[[Category:Laser Cutter]]

[[Category:Laser Cutter]]

[[Category:Fabrication]]

[[Category:Fabrication]]

[[Category:Certification Clarification Needed]]

[[Category:Certification Clarification Needed]]