Problem solved- wide kerf after adding air assist

After adding the air assist to my Monport 40 watt CO2, I had issues cutting and the kerf was significantly wider. I also had a few messages from viewers that had a similar issue with the machines as well. At first I was concerned but after some testing, I have determined that adding the nozzle caused the issue. Although the nozzle is made for K40 variants, it does change the focal setting on the machine. I found a way to combat the issue.
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The links below are affiliate links that will direct you to the product in this video. If you use this link for a purchase, I will receive a commission from the purchase. I remain unbiased and honest in my assessment as always.
K40 air assist nozzle- amzn.to/3AqjPZf
Monport 40 watt CO2-
monportlaser.c...
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[@thedestroyer9630]

Thank you for this video I have been fumbling with my monport laser and I have the exact same one. I was feeling defeated because I have been using rotary CNC engravers and have never struggled as much as I have with this laser I just added to my shop. Looking forward to watching more of your videos. Thanks “The Engraver Dudes”

[@TheClackShack]

The K40 series of machines are VERY basic. Kinda expected it for the price though. Thanks for watching

[@markferrick10]

Fighting this same issue today. I'll try the ramp test to confirm. Thanks for clearing the path for me.

[@TheClackShack]

Hope ya get it worked out. Thanks for watching

[@buzzroadguy]

Following. Thanks for being a discoverer for us following behind. Just got one to do acrylic. Have a D1 Pro 20W as well so learning much from you.

[@TheClackShack]

Good luck!

[@mikeguidry49]

Very helpful! Just got the same exact laser and bought that air assist. Have not installed it yet but you just saved me a lot of head scratching time once I do. Thank you!

[@TheClackShack]

Yea, it had me concerned at first. It works great now.

[@damingrail3655]

Thank you for your experiments. I have an Omtech K40+ coming. It comes with Air Assist built in. Looking forward to getting into C02. Been running Diode for couple years.

[@TheClackShack]

Have fun..

[@staceypeak199]

Man, thanks for the video. I had a similar problem although my Monport 40w laser came with air assist. I could get all my mirrors testing fine but nothing out of the laser head. I found it tested fine when I removed the lens housing and then fine when I had it in nearly the highest most position with air assist removed... but then with air assist nothing... so I tested as I had the lens housing loosened and slid it slowly up and down to hone in on exactly on the height I needed.

[@TheClackShack]

Cool. Glad you got it going

[@cathygrant6838]

Well, thats new, cant imagine people would be policing a wood worker wardrobe😄😄cracks me up! We havent added our air assist to my Atom stack yet, so will be curious to see if it affects the kerf. Good to have the pay attention to made by you.

[@TheClackShack]

The Atomstack shouldn’t, from my experience. This is unique to changing the lense holder on a CO2

[@Nick-xe2hu]

Also to add, I have a lot of 3D printer experience and extruded aluminum experience. I pulled the bed out of the Monport and made a new adjustable bed from 2020 extruded with an aluminum bed and honeycomb over that. Each corner has a standard Z-screw shaft like in 3D printers and uses a 6mm belt with tensioner. In the up front right corner is a knob to dial in very fine hieght adjustment and then each corner has a grub screw to lock the Z-screw at each corner. I also designed some camming style arms that attach to the extruded aluminum around the perimeter. The harder you tighten the screw into the T-nut in the extruded the harder the arm clamps down onto your piece being cut. Shoot me a message and I can email you the cad file if interested. I saw others using lab style scissor jack stands. I got one and sent that crap right back as it was flimsy as hell. My bed is rock solid and fills the entire cutting area for the most part and is easily removed in 2 seconds if you need to get in there and do stuff.

[@TheClackShack]

Sounds cool, I have a plan to build a bed for mine, just haven't yet.

[@jeffeggleston1223]

I’m interested in the cad file. Thanks for the comment!!!

[@johnmeyer5402]

Good Morning Sir. I also purchased the Monport 40 watt laser. I bought one so that I could learn CO2 lasers and slowly build up my inventory of items I will need for an 80 or 100 watt laser later on. I am doing all of the upgrades to include new mirrors (and learning mirror alignment), new lenses (and learning the effects of different focal distances), taking out all of the interior exhaust and bed stuff (which is pretty worthless) and replacing it with a movable table. I also added the new laser head with air assist. Having said all of that the research I have done indicates that the laser tube is probably more like a 30-35 watt tube with a recommended milliamperes setting of closer to 12-15 max. I can’t post this on Facebook as I refuse to use that medium (although I do not argue it’s helpfulness in some instances) but I did want to chime in on that one point. I could very well be wrong, but the research mostly points to that conclusion. Anyhow please take it for whatever it’s worth. BTW, I love your videos and look forward to each one. I don’t know where you get the energy to manage so many tasks.

[@TheClackShack]

The information I am using came from page 28 of the owners manual, that is all I have to base my calculations on. I guess it is possible that the book is incorrect. I know that the most I can get out of it is the 19 mA draw. That would explain the reason it will not get to the amperages in the book.

[@Ryan82288]

I’ve heard people have bought 2 metal scissor jacks on amazon and use them to raise and lower a bed. They just take out the current bed and that makes it easier to focus. I don’t own a co2 but heard of this method

[@TheClackShack]

I have seen that but I am gonna try to get something a little better if I can. Just got to get it made.

[@pgrosebud2012]

To reduce flashback even more, try spraying your expanded metal mesh bed with black high-temperature engine paint. There are 2 types, one that can withstand 3000 F- use that one. The black does not reflect light and actually seems to self-heal after the laser beam goes past.

[@TheClackShack]

I now have a honeycomb for it. Thanks

[@pgrosebud2012]

@@TheClackShack Try the black engine paint on it- cuts backside reflection.

[@Nick-xe2hu]

First of all great video. I got my Monport and coming from a normal diode laser I knew air assist was going on. Haven't even gotten into running tests other than double checking mirror alignments and 3D printing my own red dot holder to better aim direct at where the laser will hit. I have the same air assist nozzle deal as yours. One of my first tests planned was to run a ramp test right from the start since Monports focus tool is basically obsolete after the air assist upgrade. The plan after the ramp test was to get a measurement from the sheet metal the nozzle screws onto down to the material surface and use that as my gauge reference for focus. But watching this I wonder (and would like your opinion) I think maybe scoring the anodized lens holder of the new nozzle with the lens position difference calculated in would serve as a good focus reference mark.

[@TheClackShack]

That should help but I did testing to be sure I had the beam focused.

[@donaldlupher9827]

Any chance you have links for the rest of the attachments. My monport is supposed to be here any day and now I am trying to get a jump on everything I will want. Already bought the air assist nozzle, is everything else just from the hardware store?

[@TheClackShack]

Here is my completed setup with links below for parts.

[@TheClackShack]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/nJ2pdKeqrtV_d6M

[@donaldlupher9827]

Thanks, put what I needed in the cart! Hope my machine gets here before these parts.

[@davegirimonte9945]

On a different note Dave I am burning your ornaments but I have an issue with the merry Christmas one just falling apart did you have this issue even lowered the burn so but didn't work thanks for your reply

[@TheClackShack]

It is a very thin design in the lettering and can be frail depending on the material. You can offset it to add thickness if you are having an issue. Message me on FB and I will link you one with some added offset.

[@TheRoadRoamer]

The LightObject version is better than the CloudRay you got, sir. I have the LightObject one and I don’t have the Kerf problem. Also the LightObject model had TWO places you could put the 12mm 50.8mm focal length lens and it has ring adaptors for other diameter and focal length lenses so you have more options. Yup. The lens placement does moved the focal point. I got a scissor lift/jack plus some u-joints to use rods to extend the adjustment knob on the scissor lift to reach the outside of the K40 cabinet. Turn the knob outside the K40 to raise/lower the bed inside.

[@TheClackShack]

I have the lightobject on it. I tried the cloudray one and sent it back to amazon. I used the factory lens and the length created the issue. The light object I have accepts 4 different size lenses. amzn.to/3AqjPZf

[@TheClackShack]

I just realized I put the wrong link in the description. Had to change it...lol

[@plastiktoyz]

I've been tinkering with mine for two days now trying to lock down the settings for cutting and engraving. I do think my power controller is defective, if you turn it all the way to high I get coil whine and it shows 2ma without it even firing. Also the power supply temp starts to rise, if I put it at about 3 o'clock it shows 1ma and still whines. I have to put it at 12 o'clock for it to stop the whine and show 0ma. Waiting for approval for the official Facebook group to see if others are having this issue.

[@TheClackShack]

I run the knob all the way up. Most I see it pull is 19ma

[@plastiktoyz]

@@TheClackShack Sadly mine is showing 2ma without pushing the test fire button just with the knob all the way up, it also has an audible coil whine.

[@plastiktoyz]

So figured it out for those having the same issue. You have to have your control board plugged into your computer. There seems to be a glitch with the monport grbl board where it will feed power when set to high with no usb plugged in.

[@plastiktoyz]

replying to myself again what I stated was incorrect the USB isn't the issue. It's doing a test fire on 3 oclock and max power. After a test fire it seems it doesn't release it's energy and if you move the power knob around the coil whine gets louder and the ma go up.

[@Terry_Genereaux]

Bunny Hug as we call them out west in Canada..

[@TheClackShack]

Not sure what that is but thanks....

[@Terry_Genereaux]

@@TheClackShack the hoodie that you were wearing

[@stevespringer8385]

Hi. When you replaced the laser head with the blue one, did you have to readjust the mirror just before the laser head to hit the center of the final mirror?

[@TheClackShack]

No, but I did have to align the new nozzle.

[@stevespringer8385]

How? By turning it back and forth until the beam hit center? Was the height ok or did you need to shim it? Thanks much. Getting ready to do mine this weekend.

[@TheClackShack]

@@stevespringer8385 , height was fine. Just had a slight twist to keep it in alignment on the way down.

[@stevedonalson5675]

You should make a new focus jig. The grill is a nice touch! Looks like you could also cook burgers in there. 😂 Regardless, nice work.

[@terrytharrett9033]

@@TheClackShack Can you do a step by step video to show how you swapped out the nozzels?

[@davidsohlstrom6977]

Here is my problem with the Monport 40 watt CO2 laser. If you can NOT run it greater than 60% output is by my math = 24 watts. What is the advantage of the monport laser. That is only 4 watts greater than my Xtool D1 pro 20 watt Dave

[@TheClackShack]

I can agree with the power output. I wanted it for cutting acrylic and that, it can do. Power isn't an issue for the clear acrylic. I run multiple machines and it is just another tool for a specific purpose.

[@davidsohlstrom6977]

@@TheClackShack That I can understand.

[@torowazup1]

👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼👌🏼🍎😎

[@TheClackShack]

Thanks

[@maxlarsen1468]

but if you optimal spot is at 9 mm height but you add 11+x amount you are stil off by 2+x amount so there is stil room to inprove by redusing the height to 9 - half your workmaterial. otherwise your fokal point have bean higher to begin with

[@TheClackShack]

I now have an adjustable work bed and have it totally customizable. Just hadn't done that is this video.

[@maxlarsen1468]

@@TheClackShack Just gat a Little konfushed by your resoning! But the adjustable bed is a nice upgrade :)