Monport K40 Laser Upgrades (Part 1) Air Assist.

This is part one in a series of videos detailing how to upgrade your K40 Laser Cutter.
In this video I will be detailing how to add air assist.
Etsy :
www.etsy.com/shop/MSRworkshop...
Partner Link:
monportlaser.com?sca_ref=5108713.1fPCcETmkD
Discount Code. Adam10 (use on all machines for a 10% discount)
Parts List:
Laser Head
www.amazon.com/dp/B08JQ9FY56?...
Focusing Lense 18mm
www.amazon.com/dp/B01DP2HMPK?...
Air Assist Tubing
ANPTGHT Silicone Tubing 5/32" ID x 1/4" OD Black Food Grade High-temperature Pure Silicone Hose Tube Pipe for Air and Liquid Transfer (Length 3 Meter- 10FT) a.co/d/bZD9anp
Air Assist Pump
Air Assist for Laser Cutter and Engraver, Air Assist Pump Kit with Adjustable 30L/Min, Suitable for D1 Pro and D1 - Removes Smoke and Dust, Protects Laser Lens, Provides Clean Cutting Edge a.co/d/7zr8pBc
125pc 18 Sizes Rubber Grommet Kit - Includes Rubber Grommets for Wiring, Rubber Hole Plugs, and Automotive Firewall Grommet (1/4” 5/16” 1/2” 7/32” 3/8” 9/16” 5/16” 5/8” 3/4” 7/8” 15/16” 21/32” 1”) a.co/d/dHlunfD Robber Grommet Assortment

[@MaximillianRobbins]

Great as advertised! Yes the build quality is fantastic for the price point, and the fact that they're so open to modifications makes them perfect for DIY upgrades. Adding air assist to mine was a breeze, and the difference in cut quality is night and day. I can really tell I'm getting my money's worth with Monport!

[@earlforthun3838]

Found you videos, very helpful, in fact added all the upgrades you listed on my Amazon shopping list, that I will purchase soon I have a k40 that I want to do updates to. Thank you

[@MSRWorkshop]

Glad to hear!

[@LaserGarage]

Awesome video. Looking forward to the next in the series.

[@MSRWorkshop]

Thanks 🙏

[@davekimbler2308]

seems straight forward ! I intend to make a table that the top moves up and down so i may do larger pieces with my rotary .

[@DigifyMe]

FYI Just purchase all of those using your link. Perfect content for what I neededto get my side hustle going. Would love to see some videos on jigs and making items square within the bed.

[@MSRWorkshop]

I’ll see what I can do :) thanks for commenting 🙏

[@alpscraftshack599]

General Comments on the Mods: The grommets & plugs are a good idea & nice touch. I added them to my immediately, before starting any mods. On the air assist: a) you should have provide some instruction / video on running the air assist line thru the drag chain; b) you can purchase a separate nozzle that will fit over the existing lens housing assembly, or even 3D print one, so there is not need to replace the whole lens assembly - unless you want to upgrade for aesthetics and a better quality lens; c) for air regulation - some aquarium pumps come with a manifold - to allow you to connect additional items to the pump. You can use the little valve, on each manifold connection, to regulate the air pressure. That is what I do on mine. Overall though, a good video.

[@TheRojecas]

The new blue head longer than the old one. Then your focus point is moved down. You can use the upper part of the old head and remove the lens retainer ring, then attach the lower part of the new LASER head

[@janetmorris6792]

Suggest that you fit the air assist pipe to the air assist nozzle with it not installed onto to the head as any strain in pushing the pipe on can bend or disturb the head mounting bracket that's why it is fitted with allan screws and also for lens cleaning

[@leadf00t]

Thanks for the video! Did this change your focus distance at all? or does the new lens compensate for it?

[@MSRWorkshop]

If I remember correctly it actually made it closer

[@1987gnXtreme]

I just got the same k40.i am going to add air assist as well, but was thinking of mounting the air pump inside the enclosure with the powersupply and main circuit board and putting an on/off switch to control it. Anyone ever seen that done?

[@MSRWorkshop]

I would skip the pump style air assist all together and go to an air compressor style assist if you can. It works so much better and puts out more air than a pump could ever dream of.

[@meederr]

Are you connecting to the air assist switch on the motherboard, or simply unplugging when not needed?

[@MSRWorkshop]

I’m just unplugging it if I need it. If you want to make it semi automatic you can connect it to a smart switch and just turn it on and off via Alexa or some other voice command. Not sure this board has the option of Adding air assist that talks to light burn.

[@meederr]

@@MSRWorkshop I sent the Monport Support folks the question. Thought you'd like to see the response:  Here’s your response from Monportlaser Randolph MeederHello, Can an small air compressoe be connected to the air assist switch of the motherboard? Are the air compressors being installed in the K40s available for porchase? Thank you.  Monportlaser Connecting a Small Air Compressor to the Air Assist Switch: Yes, it is possible to connect a small air compressor to the air assist switch of your laser cutter’s motherboard. The air assist feature helps blow away debris and smoke during laser cutting or engraving, resulting in cleaner and more precise cuts. Here are the steps to achieve this: Pressure Switch Wiring: First, you’ll need to wire a pressure switch to your air compressor. The pressure switch monitors the air pressure and controls the compressor’s operation. You can follow a guide like this one to wire the pressure switch correctly. Relay Setup: Next, use a relay to interface between the pressure switch and the air assist switch on your laser cutter’s motherboard. When the air assist is needed (e.g., during cutting or engraving), the relay will activate the compressor. Configure Software: In your laser control software (such as LightBurn), ensure that the air assist feature is enabled. LightBurn can send commands to turn the compressor on and off based on your design layers. Connect the Relay: Connect the relay’s control input (usually low voltage, like 5V or 12V DC) to the air assist output pin on your laser cutter’s motherboard. When the software signals air assist, the relay will switch the compressor on. Power Supply: Finally, power the air compressor separately (usually 230V AC for your Hailea 318 compressor) and ensure it’s safely grounded.View your conversation Your conversation history expires if no reply is sent within 7 days © 2024 Monportlaser

[@ChrissRollex]

What's the dimensions of this blue silicon tubes ? I am looking to buy air assist for my laser as well !

[@MSRWorkshop]

So I found that the blue tube was way too rigid. I have since changed to this and Amazon has the exact dimensions for you. ANPTGHT Silicone Tubing 5/32" ID... www.amazon.com/dp/B0BM45Q98Y?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share

[@tylercattrell2656]

How did it run with out air assist just ordered one

[@MSRWorkshop]

It works fine with engraving and no air assist but if you want to do any cutting you need the air assist, just way to many flare ups.

[@tylercattrell2656]

Awesome I ordered a new head. Gana be a great ride following you on this k40 journey!

[@readingcraze7283]

How much pressure this one has? Is it same as air assist from xtool

[@MSRWorkshop]

I believe so. It’s not much. It came off an 80w laser and I replaced it with a compressor as well. Night and day difference

[@reedzik]

are all youtubers like 150cm tall ? or that laser is like XXXL size ? Still cool

[@vasili1207]

I think they like to be called dwarfs...

[@MSRWorkshop]

It’s all the magic of video 😂

[@Ricks2Cents]

Now your laser is off by the Lens swap. Not just a part swap out. You have to realign everything.

[@MSRWorkshop]

Yes, I did a Lens alignment, just didn’t show that part. I’ll talk about it briefly in my next video, but I didn’t want to spend to much time in it since there are so many videos about

[@Ricks2Cents]

@@MSRWorkshop I’ve seen seeing allot of post people struggling with Alignment after swapping out the lens.

[@MSRWorkshop]

The biggest problem I found with swapping to an air assist of this kind is there is actually no adjustment for the main lens angle. If you look at any large format laser, they all have an adjustable lens above the nozzle. These small lasers do not.. I had to actually add a small shim under the main mirror to get the beam to fire straight down otherwise it was hitting the side of the nozzle

[@Ricks2Cents]

@@MSRWorkshop I’ve seen some home builds that you may laugh at but seem Functional. I haven’t added air assist to my K40 yet.

[@MSRWorkshop]

Adding an air assist makes a HUGE difference. I would not use a laser without one ! The benefits are substantial.

[@LarsYJensen]

I think your lens has to be installed with the concave side up, !!

[@MSRWorkshop]

Nope , you want the beam to focus inward. With the round side down it would cause the beam to spread out. With the concave side down of angles the beam inward to a focused point

[@alpscraftshack599]

General Comments on the Laser Build Quality: The quality, of the workmanship, leaves much to be desired. On mine, a lot of the machined parts are not smooth, have rough edges, and burrs. Some of the screws, bolts, & mounting studs have stripped threads. There are also some scratches on the case. They tried to touch them up, but the paint they used does not match. It is a slightly lighter colour. You get what you pay for I guess.

[@MSRWorkshop]

Yes, I had a small dent on a corner from shipping and the laser head itself was poorly made that’s why it was the first part to go. But after a few tweaks it works well. And getting anything else with 40w in a CO2 that is out of the box compatible with light burn isn’t going to happen, especially at this price !