Adding External Air to your CO2 Laser, this will save you so much time!

[@bassrockstech]

Thank you for this! I've seen many laser youtubers say "use external air for cleaner cuts," but you're the first I've seen that has compared them. Much appreciated!

[@computercreationz]

Glad it was helpful!

[@danjacobsen7645]

OMG what a difference! I recently purchased a used 51/130 and the main thing I like to do is paint my wood first and then cut. I was almost thinking I would not be able to do this because I thought the paint was causing the flames and severe burn marks. Introducing external air completely solved this. Thanks a bunch!! And by the way you are an excellent presenter and teacher!

[@computercreationz]

that is so great to hear, I know I wouldn’t give up my external air on any of my lasers. so happy for you.

[@nathanreed3302]

In lightburn under device settings down at the bottom you can tick on "enable job checklist". i use this to help me remember if I've turned on the air, turned on the exhaust, and set the focus. It's a nice helper.

[@computercreationz]

Great suggestion! Thank you

[@MountainGirlCustomDesigns]

Great video! Would you consider doing a video showing how to actually hook up the air compressor system? Or at least walking us through it. I want to set up my compressor to have an air hose I can use to clean stuff off and then have it also connect to my new nova 63. I live in Colorado so have similar humidity (or lack of). Also, would you consider doing a video showing how to add a digital readout for PSI. Your setup on everything looks so nice and clean. Thank you for your consideration.

[@CowtownJames]

Nice Video Don't have a laser but in my shop I have a contactor in my lighting circuit to turn my 220vair compressor on when I turn the lights on. You could then wire a solenoid at the inlet to the Thunder to the plug on the Thunder that controlled the stock air compressor. Now everything is automatic

[@teardown-systems]

Can recommend the kobalt 26 gal quiet, just picked it up and already noticing the difference. Its also incredibly quiet holds plenty of air for a long laser job. Easy hook up and cheaper solution.

[@computercreationz]

Great to hear, I know of several people that have that unit!

[@FabledMolar]

@@computercreationz hii, i have regular air pump that came with it, i am thinking on getting the same compressor Wanted to know if this can work for hour+ long jobs, does the air pressure drop or the compressor runs continuously during the process i have repeatable jobs which take upto 1+ hours, so wanted to know your insights will be helpful

[@computercreationz]

@@FabledMolar most inexpensive consumer type air compressors will not last. Buy a commercial grade compressor

[@MileyonDisney]

Thanks!

[@computercreationz]

No problem!

[@ke3fo]

Do you have a video of how to properly install the SMC Guage?

[@computercreationz]

I don’t fairly easy, I powered it off on the light from that side, there is a complete kit on Etsy that has the housing and everything. Search it up. Seem to be pretty nice.

[@linwoodturner4994]

could you do a video on how to install the digital air pressure gauge. I ordered one but it didn't come with wiring harness or instructions. please help.

[@computercreationz]

you only need one pressure gauge. I would reach out to the guage manufacturer for your harness

[@chrischrist2434]

been lasering for a lil while now and have some questions on adding external air,. Do you have a preferred method of contact?I'd love to pick you brain for a moment. I watch all your vids regardless of length.

[@computercreationz]

[e-mail]

[@antkn33]

Of my air compressor only has 1/4” connections would there be any benefit to running a 1/2” hose with an adapter?

[@computercreationz]

If the compressor is not located at the laser then yes you would benefit from doing that

[@jimboyer76]

Very helpful video as I'm building a parts list now. As your method is proven, could you also include parts reference for the 1/2" air hose and ball valves (1/2" and 1/4") you used? Thanks!

[@computercreationz]

thanks for the input!

[@KelvinGreyheart]

Why not simply hook a solenoid onto a relay powered by something on the laser? Or, failing that, use a load control relay on the plug for the laser. If the power draw exceeds a few watts, (IE the device is turned on) the relay closes, and that can power the solenoid. Look into the Clippard Mouse series. They're VERY low power (2/3 of a watt on the high end), so they won't overheat, even with prolonged use. They support 6, 12, and 24 volts (although higher pressure ones are only 12 and 24), and are rated for a billion duty cycles (In other words until you manage to clog it with dirt several decades from now).

[@computercreationz]

there is many ways to get the same result, I covered just one. the bottom line is external air is a game changer for most lasers

[@libor-vitek]

Great video sir and thank you for it. Do you think that it would be possible to let us know the air flow also? I mean what was the airflow in the nozzle hose during 4 PSI and what during 25 PSI? Unit can be liter or galon per minute, what is closer to you. Thanks a lot!

[@computercreationz]

the digital air gauge is only about 4-5’ for the nosle. relating to psi is only option I have provided air flow in a different manor would confuse people in my opinion. thanks for watching and the comments.

[@MetalK1LLs]

Robert thank you for the detailed video. I noticed that Thunder states the PSI Max for all lasers is 55. I see in the video you have yours set to 25. Have you found that 25 is sufficient for most cuts on your machine? I was going to set it up for 55 but maybe that is higher than I need (Nova 24). Also, do I need to adjust the air flow screws on the laser for Hi and Low flow? Or just leave them the same as what they came on the machine?

[@computercreationz]

yes I set my reg behind the laser at 55psi by the time it get to the nosel it’s about 27 psi.

[@MakersTechChannel]

I am about to get one of these gauges - can you give any advice on your mounting experience?

[@computercreationz]

If you have a thunder there is a nice 3 d printed housing for the gauge on Etsy. Take the power off the light on that side, be sure the air hose that comes up to the gauge doesn’t interfere with the gantry

[@MakersTechChannel]

How does the con regarding the damaged equipment come into play?

[@computercreationz]

The worst would be a fried focus lens. Have a spare on hand. You can alway fire up the job list in lightburn and it will remind you to turn on the air

[@mazzugara]

How you getting on with your fiber? Thinking about getting one.

[@computercreationz]

it’s been really good, doing allot of work with it. very glad I have one!

[@computercreationz]

I wanted to but It would have been a 45 minute video and no body would have watched it!

[@Ricks2Cents]

*Your Better Off Installing a UPS that will Balance the AC Load. Plug your Laser & Compressor into the Battery Backup Side.*

[@computercreationz]

I’ve never heard of this!

[@stevenorris2731]

It’s not necessary to turn on the external air MANUALLY. You simply buy a solenoid and wire straight in to your laser power supply (same site as the stock pump) and it turns on AUTOMATICALLY when your laser turns on. You simply have to change the setting in lightburn to make sure it is enabled…and you only have to do this one time.

[@tegheim]

Pressure and airflow aren't the same thing is it? You can have 10 litres/min at both 4psi and 25psi? Right?

[@computercreationz]

your correct but flow through a gives size nossle your only way to have an repeatable measurement is pressure!

[@tegheim]

​@@computercreationzI use a air flow meter AND a air pressure regulator. When I used only air pressure regulator and measured the time between the starr and stop of my compressor it didn't change much, if anything, despite different pressure.

[@sculptureflame68]

Excellent video, very good examples! On reciprocating air compressors used for multiple tools I’ll mention, most if not all are designed for a maximum 50/50 duty cycle in order for the pump to cool. In addition compressed air produced under excessive heat will produce more moisture.

[@computercreationz]

exactly. that’s whey I always recommend an air compressor no less that 24 gallon and be sure to put a regulator with a moisture trap right behind the laser

[@ericb.8813]

Thanks for sharing this!! I just hooked up external air with the SMC digital pressure display and my cuts are so much better. Can I ask you what your setting are on your SMC? I can’t get mine to read above 10psi even when my air is completely open. ie. What the P_1 is set at Thanks

[@computercreationz]

Make sure your regulator from your compressor is set to 55 psi. even at that my guage reads around 30 at wide open.

[@ronwaldon7970]

Good video but I think you should have covered the high & low air assist on the laser, what it does or doesn't do and how you may or may not be able to select them in lightburn. I assume you are using the regulator to dial in each air pressure you want, but newbies may look at the air assist and ask "what's up with that? ".

[@computercreationz]

you can’t cover all the topics surrounding air assist in one video. anything over 20 minutes people don’t watch it. on a thunder laser there is an air control panel and the air is controlled with 2 different needle valves on the top of the laser. most of my videos are for the thunder laser.

[@HallOdisea]

Excellent info. Thanks.

[@computercreationz]

Glad it was helpful!