K40 Laser Essential Upgrades, You need to really consider having these upgrades

[@Ale86Montone]

Hello. would you share the Arduino project? Thanks

[@InfinityMindDIY]

Sure thing just give me a day or so to write it up and get a wiring diagram for you.

[@Ale86Montone]

@@InfinityMindDIY very kind. all the time you need ... I think it will be useful to other people too!

[@InfinityMindDIY]

All done, there is a link in the description for an instructable with all the files you need, hope it goes well.

[@davekimbler2308]

Interesting up-grades !Something to hold down the project would come in handy ! My air assist is mounted external with my chiller and am working on a vacuum fixture holder for it .

[@gc5643]

Wow, I love your approach to problem solving. I don't have any gadgets, but I am amazed as to how you can modify them. Thank you for sharing your knowledge and skills.

[@alpscraftshack599]

Nice video on your mods, especially the Air Assist. That pump is great for the K40. On mine, I took a pool noodle, cut it in half and placed the pump on the half noodle strips, before attaching to a piece of Pine and then to the K40 base. Also, these pumps tend to get hot when run for a long time, and I was worried about heat buildup in the enclosed electronics area. So I mounted a large computer fan, in front of it, to help keep it & the electronics are cool. It works great. Have not had any issues in two years. I also use a similar air assist set-up for my Diode Lasers.

[@MileyonDisney]

Very cool.

[@jigsey.]

Great video...I can't get my k40 to cut anything yet .. You deserve way more subs, you have great knowledge and top quality production

[@InfinityMindDIY]

Thank you it always nice to get positive feedback. The subs will come hopefully, ill just keep making videos in the mean time

[@patrickweiss515]

The Laser hits your energy-chain!!!

[@InfinityMindDIY]

You did well to notice that. When making the video it did hit the bottom edge a couple of times but it was down to me not tightening the nuts on the laser head enough, since tightening it hasn't hit but thank you for the warning😀

[@jjpython]

Just found your channel, superb content, well done

[@zaprodk]

Some nice mods. Gladly you don't need to be afraid of the laser reflecting onto the workpiece. Since there is optics (the final lens) involved the beam gets defocused very quickly. Even if you opened up the machine and shot at a mirror, you would only be in danger if you stuck your head all the way down to the workpiece where the defocused beam would already be quite big, and hence safe :)

[@bawi2]

i don't think the beam gets defocused that quickly. How quickly the laser loses its focus depends on a lot of factors. I wouldn't dare to watch such a laser operate with the lid open.

[@zaprodk]

@@bawi2 I know that it defocuses very fast. The lid would be full of burns from specular reflections if it was a real issue. It's only good that it defocuses very fast :)

[@bawi2]

@@zaprodk you're right. I didn't think of that. I still wouldn't take any risks though

[@InfinityMindDIY]

So I'll throw my experience in here, when aligning the laser to see where it is on the mirror you use a bit of paper even the defocused beam is strong enough to burn through in as long as it takes to push the test button. Even if the defocused beam doesn't permanently damage eyes (it probably would) it is likely to do similar damage to getting a flash from a welder at the very least. This HURTS for days. the breeze on your face from opening a door will just make your eyes stream. so if I can spend 30 mins covering few holes to prevent the 1 in 100000 chance of it hitting my eyes even a little bit, its time well spent. But it is good to know that it defocus's quickly as well another reassurance is always good.😀

[@michaelfischer6984]

Why did you use an Arduino for lasers and air assist? 2 latching switches or relays would have done the job.

[@InfinityMindDIY]

Probably would have been simpler but it is the solution my brain came up with at the time.

[@FlexDRG]

Tips for a K40 that is "upgraded" out of the box? (Better mirrors, air assistance, adjustable bed, Lightburn compatible controller)

[@jigsey.]

Hope all is well... Just wondering if you ever got round to changing the optical end stops on your k40 for machenical ones

[@InfinityMindDIY]

I haven't changed them, They have always worked. The next thing on my list is to do an adjust able bed to get a better focus but that's away of yet I've got a pile of things to do before that.

[@kevinclarke9610]

The double laser sight is not much use unless you are surface engraving, when cutting, the focus needs to be in the centre of the material thickness you are cutting.

[@InfinityMindDIY]

Thanks I'll bare that in mind, I'm starting wonder how I make an adjustable bed to help with the laser focus, good tip.

[@kevinclarke9610]

@@InfinityMindDIY Levelling an adjustable bed is difficult. You`re better off using a fixed bed lower than your focus and using shims or spacers to raise the material to the correct height. I`ve colour coded mine for each thickness.

[@yvonrobert6993]

Idon’t like that small air pump inside the laser this cause vibration and cutting with precision must be difficult.

[@InfinityMindDIY]

The air pump is on vibration mounts so this minimises any shaking. It cuts pretty fine things check this video where it cuts out spiderwebs for a shadow lantern. kzbin.infomnRBif78qG0?feature=share Hope this helps

[@reindorland9666]

Hi thanks for your K40 upgrade video. I am looking to buy one myself. Would you share your arduino build details? I had not seen these upgrades for a K40 before Very Cool.

[@InfinityMindDIY]

Sure thing just give me a day or so to write it up and get a wiring diagram for you.

[@InfinityMindDIY]

All done, there is a link in the description for an instructable with all the files you need, hope it goes well.

[@ardehshir4590]

Hi there, I bought same Machine but I have problem with could you please help me? when I connect Usb cable I can hear sound but, it will not work at all. in software will say :USB Error:Laser not found (Lib USB driver may not be installed) but I have install as it should also I have change many cable but same dam message will come up. wish you or any one have experience help me

[@InfinityMindDIY]

Hi, I cant say I've seen this issue before but the process i would follow is: To check everything is on Then uninstall and reinstall the driver (restarting the computer between each task(It used to be a think you needed to do, not so relevant these days but old habits and all that). If that doesn't work check/change the cable (as you have done) then I would check inside the machine and make sure all the various leads are connected correctly to the board. If this doesn't work then try a different computer if possible. Then if these don't work then ask more people and hope one of them has had this problem. Hope this helps

[@jrbarker7362]

I'm gonna like a sub but you use far too much hot glue for my liking lol otherwise, good job!

[@InfinityMindDIY]

Agreed, and i have recently got a 3d printer to help with the effort required to build tiny housings for electronics, thank you for the like and sub.

[@jrbarker7362]

@@InfinityMindDIY nice! I’ve been 3D printing for a while now and just picked up a k40 to mess with. Should be fun!

[@aadarshgupta2126]

Channel name mechanical crafts