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==Mechanical Parts List==
==Mechanical Parts List==
[[image:Laserrig_detail.JPG|400px|right]] This laser welding system was derived from http://www.thingiverse.com/thing:11653  Please start there for understanding the basics of the mechanical  setup. The variations we made included the following:
[[image:Laserrig_detail.JPG|400px|right]] The projected dimensions are to be 1.5 ft. by 1.5 ft. This laser welding system was derived from http://www.thingiverse.com/thing:11653  Please start there for understanding the basics of the mechanical  setup. The variations we made included the following:
# We mounted the whole system in a double drawer file cabinet that we hollowed out, put on a safety switch for the laser, and new drawers with magnetic closers. A hole was drilled through the top for the wires and the fiber laser to pass through.
# We mounted the whole system in a double drawer file cabinet that we hollowed out, put on a safety switch for the laser, and new drawers with magnetic closers. A hole was drilled through the top for the wires and the fiber laser to pass through.
# We extended the legs past a square bottom to allow for the cabinet rails to remain intact as seen in the photo.
# We extended the legs past a square bottom to allow for the cabinet rails to remain intact as seen in the photo.
# We added a second substrate layer that slides in consisting of a metal substrate and a lower iron glass cover plate (again see details to the right).
# We added a second substrate layer that slides in consisting of a metal (Al) substrate and a lower iron glass cover plate (again see details to the right). A source for high transmitivity glass: [http://www.saint-gobain-glass.com/exen/index.asp SGG DIAMAN] - Saint-Gobain Glass Vision Product Family -Extra clear low-iron glass.
 
=== Printed Parts ===
* Follow guidelines from http://www.thingiverse.com/thing:11653 and print components.
* In addition you need the specialized components here if you are going to replicate our laser setup:
 


===Misumi Parts===
===Misumi Parts===
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| https://sdp-si.com/eStore/PartDetail.asp?Opener=Group&PartID=70713&GroupID=342
| https://sdp-si.com/eStore/PartDetail.asp?Opener=Group&PartID=70713&GroupID=342
|}
|}
For the details on our laser see: [[Laser welding protocol: MOST]]
== Glass cover and base ==
* For the base we used aluminum sheet
* Source for high transmitivity glass: [http://www.saint-gobain-glass.com/exen/index.asp SGG DIAMAN] - Saint-Gobain Glass Vision Product Family -Extra clear low-iron glass
== Printed Parts ==
* Follow guidelines from http://www.thingiverse.com/thing:11653 and print components.
* In addition you need:
* Finally we put ours in a hollowed out 2 drawer file cabinet - making a magnet safety lock on to two new doors.
==Designs specs==
* The projected dimensions are to be 1.5 ft. by 1.5 ft.
* The laser welder is based upon a laser cutter system found here: http://www.thingiverse.com/thing:11653


==Electronics==
==Electronics==
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* Female Serial-Breadboard cable
* Female Serial-Breadboard cable
* Hookup wire
* Hookup wire
* LaserMount 264
* Fiber Laser. For the details on our laser see: [[Laser welding protocol: MOST]]
* TECSource 5305
** LaserMount 264
* LaserSource 4320
** TECSource 5305
** LaserSource 4320
* Firmware: https://sourceforge.net/projects/lasersystemforp/
* Firmware: https://sourceforge.net/projects/lasersystemforp/
* For software description see: [[Laser welding protocol: MOST]]


==Software==
===Electronics Build===


<gallery caption="Loading samples">
Image:ht1.jpg|Electronic circuit schematic
Image:ht3.jpg|Remove the power jumper! Arduino and motor shield.
Image:ht2.jpg|12V and GND
Image:ht4.jpg|Opto Endstops connections
Image:ht5.jpg|Setting boundary with endstop
Image:ht6.jpg|Aluminum+glass slider
Image:ht7.jpg|Aluminum+glass slider
Image:ht8.jpg|Aluminum+glass slider
</gallery>


# '''The jumper near to the GND pin must be removed''', otherwise the Arduino will be damaged!
# Connect the 12 V cable to M+ pin and Ground to GND pin on the MotorShield.
# If using Adafruit stepper motors, connect the wires following the order: from M1 to M2, brown, green, skip Gnd pin, yellow and red. From M4 to M3 brown, green, skip Gnd pin, yellow and red.
# Connect the Opto Endstops as shown.
#


Fix the Endstops such that the laser carriage reaches the lower left corner of the mechanism.


==Safety==
==Safety==

Revision as of 20:29, 6 August 2012

Laserrig.JPG

This page describes how to make an open source laser system for polymeric welding. For directions on how to use the one located in the MOST lab see: Laser welding protocol: MOST.

Our primary interest in it is making heat exchangers by welding together layers of inexpensive polymers. This is counter intuitive, but our latest theoretical and early experimental results show that this type of heat exchanger can be very efficient as well as absurdly cheap. See: expanded microchannel heat exchangers for our latest paper. These heat exchangers can be used for all kinds of energy efficiency applications including our work to make solar powered water pasteurization systems. If we can get a system that works it will represent an extremely inexpensive method of pasteurizing water at the family or household scale.

If you use the system for other applications please let us know what they are. Happy making!


Mechanical Parts List

Laserrig detail.JPG

The projected dimensions are to be 1.5 ft. by 1.5 ft. This laser welding system was derived from http://www.thingiverse.com/thing:11653 Please start there for understanding the basics of the mechanical setup. The variations we made included the following:

  1. We mounted the whole system in a double drawer file cabinet that we hollowed out, put on a safety switch for the laser, and new drawers with magnetic closers. A hole was drilled through the top for the wires and the fiber laser to pass through.
  2. We extended the legs past a square bottom to allow for the cabinet rails to remain intact as seen in the photo.
  3. We added a second substrate layer that slides in consisting of a metal (Al) substrate and a lower iron glass cover plate (again see details to the right). A source for high transmitivity glass: SGG DIAMAN - Saint-Gobain Glass Vision Product Family -Extra clear low-iron glass.

Printed Parts


Misumi Parts

Part Description Part Number Link
Precision Linear Shafts PSFJ12-480 http://us.misumi-ec.com/us/ItemDetail/10300000120.html
Linear Double Bushings with Pillow Blocks LHSSW12 http://us.misumi-ec.com/us/ItemDetail/10300028460.html
Linear Single Bushings with Pillow Blocks LHSS12 http://us.misumi-ec.com/us/ItemDetail/10300028370.html
Aluminum Extrusion Four-Side Slots HFS5-2020-2000 http://us.misumi-ec.com/us/ItemDetail/10302368740.html
Square Nuts for Aluminum Extrusions HNKK5-5 http://us.misumi-ec.com/us/ItemDetail/10302246940.html
Reversal Brackets with Tab HBLFSN5 http://us.misumi-ec.com/us/ItemDetail/10300437260.html
Cap Screws for Aluminum Extrusions HCBST5-12 http://us.misumi-ec.com/us/ItemDetail/10302261460.html
T-Shaped Shaft Supports SHA1220 http://us.misumi-ec.com/us/ItemDetail/10300013940.html

Stockdrive

Part Description Part Number Link
18 Teeth Polycarbonate Timing Pulley A 6T16M018DF6005 https://sdp-si.com/eStore/PartDetail.asp?Opener=Group&PartID=42977&GroupID=347
Fiberglass reinforced Neoprene Toothed Pulley Belt A 6Z16MB89060 https://sdp-si.com/eStore/PartDetail.asp?Opener=Group&PartID=70713&GroupID=342

Electronics

Electronic parts

Electronics Build

  1. The jumper near to the GND pin must be removed, otherwise the Arduino will be damaged!
  2. Connect the 12 V cable to M+ pin and Ground to GND pin on the MotorShield.
  3. If using Adafruit stepper motors, connect the wires following the order: from M1 to M2, brown, green, skip Gnd pin, yellow and red. From M4 to M3 brown, green, skip Gnd pin, yellow and red.
  4. Connect the Opto Endstops as shown.

Fix the Endstops such that the laser carriage reaches the lower left corner of the mechanism.

Safety

The Laser is composed by three main devices: LaserMount 264, TECSource 5300 and LaserSource 4320. The LaserMount 264 is a united that integrates a Peltier cooler for precise temperature control and the laser itself. TECSource 5300 is a temperature controller that needs to be attached with the LaserMount. LaserSource 4320 is a Laser Diode Driver, it controls the laser behavior such as Voltage, Current, PWM Duty Cycles and

On/Off control.

The installation of the LaserSource and the TECSource are very straightforward. After unpacking the units, make sure all packing materials have been removed and nothing obscures the ventilation ports on the side and front of the units.

Change The Voltage Selection to the appropriate value and make sure both devices are properly grounded.

The devices have vent holes on the side and front, do not block these vent holes, or overheating may occur, causing damage to the unit.

Connect the cables from the TECSource and the LaserSource labeled LASER and TEC to the LaserMount properly.

To power up the unit, connect the AC power cord to the unit, turn the power switch, located on the front panel, to the on (I) position. The unit will display the model, serial number, and firmware version, go through a quick power-up self-test, and return to the last known operating state.

In order to achieve the highest level of accuracy, the TECSource should be powered on for at least one hour prior to taking measurements.

Once devices are powered up, it is necessary to enable the External Fan Control on the TECSource menu options. Make sure the temperature controller current limit is set to a maximum value of 7.4A.


General Basic Precautions:

The LSO shall be notified of the purchase of any laser, regardless of the class. Such notification should include the classification, media, output power or pulse energy, wavelength, repetition rate (if applicable), special attachments (frequency doublers...etc.), beam size at the laser aperture, beam divergence and users.

No attempt shall be made to place any shiny or glossy object into the laser beam other than that for which the equipment is specifically designed.

Eye protection devices which are designed for protection against radiation from a specific laser system shall be used when engineering controls are inadequate to eliminate the possibility of potentially hazardous eye exposure (i.e., whenever levels of accessible emission exceed the appropriate MPE levels.) This generally applies only to Class IIIB and Class IV lasers. All laser protective eyewear shall be clearly labeled with optical density values and wavelengths for which protection is afforded.

Skin protection can best be achieved through engineering controls. If the potential exists for damaging skin exposure, particularly for ultraviolet lasers (200-400 nm), then skin covers and or "sun screen" creams are recommended.

HANDS - Most gloves will provide some protection against laser radiation. Tightly woven fabrics and opaque gloves provide the best protection.

ARMS - A laboratory jacket or coat can provide protection for the arms. For Class IV lasers, consideration should be given to flame resistant materials.

Theoretical Laser Power Requirements

Laser Power Requirements For 30 micron thick sheets
Material Spot size (mm) Laser power (W)
Polymer 1 10
Polymer 0.3 1
Polymer 0.1 0.1
Al 1 1000
Al 0.3 100
Al 0.1 10


If the material is plastic wrap or aluminum foil thickness, the power required is about three times as much. So basically being able to focus the beam not only can give you smaller channels, but it also reduces the required laser power.

See also

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