Cutting 3/4 inch pine - Monport 40 watt CO2

I have been working on getting the CO2 set up for work. I have added my plumbing for the air assist and have made some changes to the lightburn settings. I was able to cut 3/4 inch pine at 45 percent output.
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Monport 40 watt CO2-
monportlaser.c...
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[@TheRoadRoamer]

DANG Clack! I come to watch your Vids for the techniques and because you’re very imaginative! ❤🎉

[@TheClackShack]

Thanks

[@TheRoadRoamer]

LOVE it AL!❤ Specially the outings!

[@TheClackShack]

Thanks so much!

[@TheLouisianaHobbyGuy]

19 mA is 70% power on a 40W Co2. *70%* is the actual recommended max operating range of 40W tube from the tube manufacturer. With that said, I also run my 40W at 17mA for long life. However, using regular antifreeze is a big no-no. The only antifreeze you can use in any Co2 is the food grade, pink AF for RVs. _Anything else_ causes micro short-downs in the tube, which uses up the Co2 quickly. Good demonstration!

[@TheClackShack]

Thanks. Very limited in the CO2 world.

[@alpscraftshack599]

Thx for a great video. Very informative. With any K40 class "Budget Machine" (Monport, OMTech, Yora, etc...), you are going to have' limitations. If you don't like the 'limitations' and you are not mechanically inclined, then you need to 'bite the bullet' and get a bigger machine. If you are 'mechanically inclined' there a a numbre of modifications you can do that will turn this machine into a 'Beast'. I have made a numbre to mine: a) increased workable (engrave / cut) are size; b) added motorized bed, c) added air assist, d) added water chiller (homemade), e) added inline duct fan for better ventilation, f) added some vents on case for increased air input; g) added safety switch to turn laser off if top opened while laser is cutting / engraving. My machine is really a 'Beast' now, and your tip here will make it even a better 'Beast'.

[@TheClackShack]

This one has an exhaust fan and safety switch. I plan to modify the bed so that I can use a rotary with it and have already set it up to use shop air for assist which was a vast improvement. Thanks for watching.

[@Gleekjunkie]

Gratz on 5K!

[@TheClackShack]

Thanks, now for 10,000 …lol

[@nickolascastillo4019]

Nice information! I get my monport 40w in a few days. I went ahead and pulled the trigger.

[@TheClackShack]

So far,this one has performed well. I still have lots to learn

[@nickolascastillo4019]

I agree I have been doing as much visual research as I can and I know you do a very indepth look into the units that you use so I'm definitely confident in your options. Also do you have a drag chain on it? I'm wondering what immediate upgrades to make so it's a smooth start up and go to testing its potential. Also if you would show how you set the settings in lightburn that would be awesome.

[@TheRoadRoamer]

Told ya. Integrate it into your workflows! You will LOVE IT!

[@TheClackShack]

Yes! Thank you!

[@ibe.incognito9046]

You could always remove the bed, get a longer focal point lens, 3" for example, which also changes the beam angle from lens to focal point and should also reduce burning or the outer edges. I used to keep 1" through 4" focal point lens around, which had it own set of caveats, but proved beneficial at times. It's also necessary to be able to adjust the bed height at this point 🙂 Appreciate your videos, I've been looking at getting K40 type machine again, the Monport in particular. So I appreciate your input with these videos... Thanks again.

[@TheClackShack]

I am leaning more toward a movable bed design.

[@TheRoadRoamer]

Another GREAT vid! Thanks.

[@TheClackShack]

Thanks again!

[@i8skeerd]

You have turned on a lightbulb, think I'm about to figure this thing out, thank you. That manual ain't much help, like you I'm more a hands on guy

[@TheClackShack]

I am slowly getting it…thanks

[@TheRoadRoamer]

Motorized Z would help with the burns and LB can make use of it automagically. There are 3D printable solutions for motorized Z with the addition of a NEMA motor and a few bits of related hardware. I’ve started working on mine. I also have a 4x4 Scissor Lift as an alternative in the meantime. 👍

[@TheClackShack]

Thanks

[@timmie1013]

I know the working area on this model is 8x10 but I’m wondering if an 8x10 piece of glass would fit in it? Or is the area literally 8x10 and so I would need a smaller piece of material?

[@TheClackShack]

Mine engraves an 8x10 area.

[@TheClackShack]

it will fit an 8x10

[@TheRoadRoamer]

Yeah, the CloudRay is nice. I just didn’t like the Mirror Mount on it. I preferred the LightObject version, very similar, due to better Customer Service and the Mirror Mount is almost exactly like the OEM Laser Head.

[@TheClackShack]

Right now, my plan is just to swap out the bottom half.

[@TheRoadRoamer]

I’ve seen my gauges go down below 15*C.

[@TheClackShack]

thats chilly

[@BJ-GoldenTuna]

Do you have a video or resources for how you configured lighburn to only send 17ma @ 100%

[@TheClackShack]

You can change the S-value to lower the machine output. Mine will only pull 19ma with the S-value all the way up.

[@BJ-GoldenTuna]

@@TheClackShack I like this method much more than trying to adjust the power knob on the control panel. This just makes a lot more sense. Thanks!.

[@TheRoadRoamer]

WOW, do they want us to burn up our Tubes? OMTech suggest no higher that 15mA for max Tube Life which on mine is 37% or so.

[@TheClackShack]

I am just going by the book

[@jasonhalverson2714]

Also, I've been frustratingly working with this laser for two days now. Is there any way I could get a copy of your Machine Settings? Whatever I try either burns way too hot, or barely leaves a mark in the wood. (I'd gladly buy a t-shirt to get this thing dialed-in, LOL)

[@TheClackShack]

Do you have the lightburn ready version?

[@jasonhalverson2714]

@@TheClackShack Yes, the exact same as what you are using. I have probably dinked around with the settings enough that I would like to either start fresh or copy a known good config. (Yes, I was stupid and did not save my original config)

[@TheClackShack]

Watch the mA meter and get it to about 8 for engraving and 14 to cut. I have never had one that isn't lightburn compatible but the mA seems to be the key without lightburn.

[@jasonhalverson2714]

@@TheClackShack I do have the LB version. What setting limits 100% Lightburn output to 17mA?

[@TheClackShack]

I can't access the settings remotely right now because the machine is offline. Here is the main settings screen. drive.google.com/file/d/1XEf11RlDuAA7e7sUvGs4wnv5zPp4-l3s/view?usp=share_link

[@stevespringer8385]

What’s the source of the air assist nozzle? Thanks

[@TheClackShack]

I ordered it from Amazon. I haven't got to see it yet but should have it tuesday to make sure it works. From what I have read, it should. amzn.to/3fibVtP

[@stevespringer8385]

@@TheClackShack thanks