Focusing your Co2 laser - Manual and Auto Focus

[@dennis954rr01]

Thanks my friend, saved me a lot of money buying auto focus I didn't need.

[@USN_WoGW]

Great video Brandt. One of the benefits that comes along with having an autofocus is having a motorized z table. I often run operations where I will engrave out of focus and then go right from engraving into a cut which needs to be done in focus. I'm able to do this in light burn so that the machine automatically adjusts the z-axis in between The engraving and cutting operation. While the autofocus itself itself isn't a game changer, having the motorized z table is the real benefit for me.

[@MG-kt1ck]

Can you explain a bit more what you mean?

[@BeardedBuildsCo]

You can program your layers to raise or lower the bed for different effects.

[@MG-kt1ck]

@@BeardedBuildsCo Woah didn't know that, game changer, thank you!

[@Todd-W]

Brandt, did you ever do the other video on setting and adjusting the auto focus system? I can't seem to find any documentation on it printed or otherwise.

[@qanister]

I really appreciate your video. You are a very good presenter and have helped me decide to save the money and by manual focus. I am thinking it is also one less thing to break too.

[@BeardedBuildsCo]

Thank you! If you are purchasing through the OMTech site the code BEARDEDBUILDS5OFF with save you more on top of the current Easter sale.

[@grega-kendalheightsdecorwo9511]

I just received my 80w this week, it's all setup in place, now going through the process of alignment and ramp testing! Been watching you videos regarding mirror alignment and focusing... very informative! Thanks so much!

[@BeardedBuildsCo]

You’re welcome!

[@acedeleon5798]

do you love your 80W? I am about to order one. :)

[@sethrussell7865]

i have a similar controller and and trying to install the auto focus on. Im newer to the co2 world but have a good understanding of it. just have trouble finding wiring diagrams. thank you good videos

[@VariablePenguin]

Did you ever do the video on adjusting the Z-height for auto focus?

[@RobSandstromDesigns]

Just purchased my first laser, other than a little Ortur that I hardly ever used. I think you have several videos I will be taking advantage of. Thank you for your videos.

[@BeardedBuildsCo]

Awesome! Which laser did you purchase?

[@RobSandstromDesigns]

@@BeardedBuildsCo I got a Laguna Laser EX (Advertised as 150W) Laser. Going through first steps on how to setup and then how to design stuff that I can engrave and cut. I have been using a CNC for many years now and pretty much have that process dialed in - always more to learn - but I can do almost anything I desire to on the CNC - provided a CNC is capable of doing it. Now I am starting all over, fortunately not from the very beginning, with my LAser. A couple things transfer over, but there is certainly so much that doesn't. I will be binging your channel for awhile.

[@BeardedBuildsCo]

Cool, congrats on joining the laser crowd!

[@JustMe-gg2td]

Have you done a video on adjusting the autofocus yet?

[@spiritburners]

its a good video thanks, people have huge hangups about focusing and should not, its easy to calculate if you know the focal length of each lens you own, after that it is simply maths. Even in the film industry today they still use a tape measure to work out the distance between the lens and the object they are filming, the reason it has to be perfect ais that they want a good depth of field either side of that sweet spot , then they can use that to create the stunning images that you see on films and tv when the subject is in focus and the front and rear spaces either side are blurred. You have to do the same on your laser, its paramount to a good cut, a good engrave and a clean lens...if your doing photographs it has to be more than perfect, the distance between a good or a bad photo can be as little as 0.1mm Assuming that your lens is the standard 50.8 mm below the lens, get a wood toothpick, measure 50.8 mm along the length, stick the tooth pick into the nozzle or onto the bottom of the lens if yours is a flat one like on a K40 with no air assist until it touches the bottom of the lens, then raise your bed until the top face of your bed touches the mark on the cocktail stick. Your bed is then in perfect focus. Goto final paragraph if you do not have autofocus. Then install your autofocus pen, check the gcode for bounce back and Z offset and work out very simply how far you need to calculate the distance below the nozzle and your focus pen. allow enough room so that your nozzle is clear of the wood by at least 1 cms clearance , this might mean placing your lens further down in the tube, most holders have this ability...you need a good clearance between the nozzle and the item being engraved or you will end up with a dirty lens or nozzle.... If your not using a autofocus then ignore the last paragraph, once your bed is at the optimum height, mark on the toothpick where the bottom of the nozzle is, then the distance between the two marks ( bottom of nozzle and 50.8 mm) is how long you need to make your focus gauge. I would make a stepped focal length gauge like in the video but allow the steps in 0.5 mm because when you do photos or items that require more than once pass you have to be spot on every time and 0.5 means you get a better resolution . Its that simple, not rocket science at all and use a soft wood toothpick not bamboo otherwise you can scratch the lens. soft wood will not but be gentle as its a optical instrument like camera lens, just different. You only need to do a ramp test if you do not know the focal length of your lens. or if you want to see how the lens behaves either side of the sweet spot. The focal length of a lens is fixed. it will never change so maths is the best way to do this. its only addition and subtraction, know formulas or cleaver stuff. Just remember that the autofocus device is only in focus once per job. It will not compensate for irregular shaped pieces of wood. you can use it on stepped wood buy breaking the jobs into single sections and then refocus every time but on normal flat wood you only do it once and run the entire job, the gauge will also work on the rotary unit, its the same focus, it only will change if you change the lens, in which case you start all over again and create a second or third gauge like I have done as I use 4 lenses in total. For irregular shaped wood or object the controller board wood need a very powerful processor to cope with all the changes, starts and stops on the fly and its possible the engraving would not work . I dont know as i have not seen a machine capable of altering the focus as it travels across the object.. I haven't seen one yet that does this so place your item on the bed, run the homing sequence and youre done.... Enjoy...

[@SarbarMultimedia]

Great video and vrey informative for new users. Can I add one more thing that it's NOT. It's a red switch with zero intelligence so it will never AUTOMATICALLY focus if you change the lens to a different focal distance. It's at that point you will probably decide to (as mentioned in the video) take it off, understand how lenses work and use a simple step gauge ( along with the ramp test) to manage your focal point. The programmable Z axis is the REAL bonus of a prefitted autofocus.

[@lakenStrong-iq1we]

Hi! I just received mine a month ago. It’s a 150W and I don’t have the pen for autofocus- it’s built in. So how would I go about doing that? I tried and it sent it into my honeycomb and I had to manually lower the bed to disengage the nozzle from the bed. Thanks!

[@oneandy2]

There are some instances where it is desireable to have the lens just slightly out of focus. I've found it works well sometimes on species of wood that should be aromatic/oily enough to produce dark marks when lasered but for some reason don't (due to that particular specimen's growing conditions or something). For that reason, I decided on a manual focus machine for my chinese laser. Coming from an older Epilog with a motorized Z-axis, its just faster for me to slightly turn the Z axis knob by hand.

[@BethZunker]

@Brandt, Bearded Builds CO - did you do a video on how to do a ramp test on the aF 2440-100w?? That’s what I’m looking for next.

[@Braul1022]

Already bought mine. 80w AF 2028.

[@toro6692]

Great video. Did you ever make the video discussing how to change the offset in the Ruida controller. I have the same autofocus but I can't get it focus down enough because of the preset offset. Thanks!

[@BeardedBuildsCo]

I broke my pin so I haven’t been able to yet. All you need to do is adjust the offset in the machine settings in lightburn. It is listed under z axis and I believe it is z offset.

[@brianwohn]

Thanks for this - newbie here! If I use the same 4-5 material thickness, once I focus on 1, can I just reuse that "Z" setting when using the same material again, rather than keep using the focus key each time?

[@RyanMJohnston]

you just saved me $400! Thanks for the video

[@douggjoseph]

Hugely helpful. Thank you so much. Liked and subscribed!

[@freebird1963]

Nice video. Informative. Couple questions. With the auto focus every have the pen catch on the substrate being lasered ? Do you use a rotary on the manual focus ? If so is it a back breaker to manual lower then raise for it ? If the autofocus goes wacko can you move the table manually ? Thanks.

[@manramanjeetsingh9857]

Can u plz tell me what kind of software you are using? Is that what u got from omtech or thats your own sftware Thanks you have a lovely content

[@BeardedBuildsCo]

The software is lightburn. It can be purchase through OMTech or directly from lightburn. omtechlaser.com/collections/software/products/lightburn-software-usb-ligh-bu/?ref=LGS

[@robbillpries6198]

24 x 40 bed! Holy sheeeeiiiittttt! I thought I was big timing it with my 20 x 28 😆😆☺ Good Video man.. 💯

[@BeardedBuildsCo]

Thanks!

[@hmokdad911]

I dropped my focus lens for my 100w Omtech laser machine MF. Do you know which one I have to order? if you can provide me with a link please. Thank you

[@jankristensen7884]

thanks very informative, one question how thick plywood can a 100w laser cut in one pass?

[@BeardedBuildsCo]

Short answer 1/2” Long answer- there are a lot of factors to consider. The more dense the material and more layers the ply has that harder it will be to cut. More layers means more glue and glue is a laser’s enemy. HD has a 1/2” sandeply that cuts pretty well and only has three internal layers.

[@jankristensen7884]

@@BeardedBuildsCo ok, i am not sure if i my laser is doing well, i tried with birchplywood and i managed 6mm /=1/4" I think i have the shortest focus length installed

[@BeardedBuildsCo]

@jankristensen7884 birch ply in not the same as Baltic birch. Again not all plys are created equal. The other thing to check and make sure you get dialed in is your beam alignment. Also set a good cleaning routine.

[@marafleites7883]

Sorry I'm newbie here we got our machine couple weeks ago and I'm having issue doing cuts, I watched your Ramp test video but my machine have a metal stick besides the cone that doesn't allow me to get the cone close the the wood like you explained in the video, how can I fix that?

[@BeardedBuildsCo]

Set the auto focus pin to the top of the wood. Your focus Point should be below that. Most of the machines are now coming with a longer focal length lens.

[@MSRWorkshop]

Is there a way to make it so when you hit auto focus it will move the laser head to the origin position of a job and focus off your wood?

[@DS-ng2kj]

Love your videos man! Thank you!!

[@BeardedBuildsCo]

Thanks! Glad they have helped you!

[@cyndibass8896]

Mine doesn’t back off when the height is being set and the spring gets pushed in so I still have to do it manually 😢

[@willthethrill521]

Very insight, thank you!

[@splocal]

Curious what focal depth lens you normally use and what is the thickest material you have cut with your 100w laser? I have a 100w and tried cutting 1/2” mdf at 60% power with 4 passes and could not get through. I recently cleaned my lens and I don’t think I got my focus right. Gonna try the ramp test. Have you ever cut 1/2” mdf before? By the way awesome content, thanks for the info!!!

[@BeardedBuildsCo]

I have a 2” focal lens on my 100w. I have not done any 1/2” mdf. The thickest mdf that I have done is 1/4” and cut it in one pass. Mdf is tricky because it is full of glue, resin, and chemicals. Thanks for watching a long!

[@splocal]

Bearded Builds Co ya I figured all those chemicals where making it harder to cut. Have you ever cut anything 1/2” thick with your 100w laser? I’m going to give regular plywood a try it’s just so damn expensive these days 🤦🏽‍♂️ I’ve cut 1/4” MDF with two passes but I think I could focus my beam and cut speed to do it in one pass.

[@bmabma5799]

Hi I just bought a laser engraver because of your videos which intrigued me to get one any way I’m tryin to do a pulse test and a system alarm comes on and says machine protected how do I clear this fault

[@BeardedBuildsCo]

This is because your hood is open

[@BeardedBuildsCo]

Disable Door Alarm and Machine Protect Sensors on OMtech Laser kzbin.info/www/bejne/i2evmaitpcard7c

[@JDavidColley]

Yeah, cool... However! Do you not see a major issue with the clearance between the work and the tip of the sensor? Not everything on my laser stays perfectly flat upon cutting. Are tip-ups never an issue for you?

[@BeardedBuildsCo]

I use magnets to keep stuff flat and if you set up a good off set then you should have plenty of clearance.

[@snarlla]

Very informative! Thanks so much.

[@bartoplayer]

Can you share the source file for the measuring tool you made?

[@krowkuf]

Guess that's a no..

[@BeardedBuildsCo]

I don't have a file that I kept. There is one uploaded in the facebook group that I help manage. Join and you will find it here. facebook.com/groups/1364016877267714/permalink/1391837407818994

[@_Darrell_]

Great video. Thank you

[@BeardedBuildsCo]

You’re welcome!

[@zulemaacevedo3462]

hi, i lost my focus gauge, can you tell me the size. Thanks

[@BeardedBuildsCo]

Not all of the machines are the same because some come with different length lenses. Running a ramp test will give you a sure way to know the size you need.

[@JM_Tushe]

Thank you. 🙏

[@markarnio5625]

did you do the video on adjusting the autofocus to give the proper height?

[@BeardedBuildsCo]

I recently broke me auto focus and have a replacement on the way. Once I get it fixed I will be making that video.

[@laserillusionstech]

Nice video! I prefer to use manual focus since it doesnt add the extra weight on the head. But thats just my opinion :)

[@jjcra1]

How do you set the controller for the new focus setting after the ramp test?

[@joshshetler122]

How do you like these omtech lasers? I've been debating on upgrading from the orion 20w desktop to the omtech 60w auto focus just haven't really seen many reviews

[@BeardedBuildsCo]

I love mine! I have a 60w and 100watt 24x40. Join our Omtech Facebook group and you will find all kinds of information there. facebook.com/groups/1364016877267714/ When you go to order use the code LASERGUYS to support my content an the Facebook group.

[@mightyminisuk4295]

is there a video on how to fit the auto focus part?

[@BeardedBuildsCo]

What do you mean “fit” the auto focus?

[@mightyminisuk4295]

On the Omtech 50W it comes manual focus and you have to fit a whole kit if you want it to become an autofocus. Got to fit a motor, a driver and connect it to the main motherboard@@BeardedBuildsCo

[@BeardedBuildsCo]

@mightyminisuk4295 kzbin.info/www/bejne/jmnMopqcrpqHY5osi=S_1n3H0k1AGCB52N

[@BeardedBuildsCo]

@mightyminisuk4295 kzbin.info/www/bejne/eIezknqwmJWhiaMsi=qYZ7wZmFmmrkDVf6

[@jennschee4776]

Thanks!

[@jennschee4776]

Buy yourself a coffee, I would if you were nearby. Your videos are the best, and have saved me from taking a hammer to my machine!

[@BeardedBuildsCo]

Thank you! I’m glad that they have been helpful!

[@dead_taz9408]

I did a ramp test and my focal length is 18mm. So I adjusted the lens height and the put a 3mm piece on top of my engraving material and dropped the auto focus. I then set the focusing to 3mm on my rudia Controller. Now when I hit autofocus it goes to like 20mm.

[@BeardedBuildsCo]

Go into the machine settings (edit>Machine settings> z axis) and subtract 2 from the setting in the z offset.

[@naRevolution]

Cheers, I was wondering what all auto focus did, and having had a manual machine for a couple years now, I most certainly wouldnt pay extra for it as a feature. I was checking out omtech earlier and really like the variety of options you can get now. I dont even really know what the actual brand my china laser is. I think it was called ThunderLaser at a point, but there's no actual brand on the machine. Have you ever cleaned a laser tube? Mines looking pretty rough, I assume i can just carefully clean it alcohol and a microfiber cloth but couldnt really find any videos of people cleaning their tubes.

[@BeardedBuildsCo]

Yes you can clean the tube lens the same way you would the mirrors and lens.

[@8mmmauser896]

Now let's do a video on adding a beam combiner

[@jorgepulidovaladez9418]

Do you sell the jig you used ?

[@jimbauer6822]

i cant find where to connect the auto focus on a cohesion 3d board wnere do i find that info

[@BeardedBuildsCo]

That is not something that I am familiar with.

[@RisingFollowersofOne]

How do you do a ramp test on an autofocus machine?

[@BeardedBuildsCo]

If you have auto focus the assumption is that the focus Point is lower than the auto focus pin. Set the pin on the top of your ramp and go from there.

[@JoAnnHeaton]

How do you raise and lower the bed

[@BeardedBuildsCo]

What machine do you have?

[@JoAnnHeaton]

@@BeardedBuildsCo I got it thank you. Now I am working on getting correct settings

[@dericwortham-dp6qg]

How can I manually lower the bed on my O’Tech 100W AUTOFOCUS.

[@chaunster]

when i push enter on the autofocus selection nothing happens...

[@BeardedBuildsCo]

Do you have an autofocus machine?

[@salemmohamedberrasali5725]

Nice