Monthly Archives: February 2020

Avoid Fast Z motion

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Yesterday I took the laser partway apart, looking for reasons why the Z-axis table keeps getting out of alignment. I think I know more than I did before, but I still don’t fully understand what’s happening. The problem seems to be in the acme threaded nut that rides up and down on the right rear acme threaded rod. You can hear the mechanism going “clunk clunk clunk” when that corner is slipping out of alignment.

This mainly seems to happen when the table is going UP in the FAST Z mode. That makes sense, because that’s when the mechanism is working hardest to lift the weight on the table, the honeycomb mesh, and your workpiece.

So, I am asking all laser users to please avoid using FAST Z motion until I’m able to isolate and fix the problem. It may take you a few extra seconds to focus using SLOW Z only, but it will help keep the table aligned and the laser working well. Thanks for your cooperation.

Update: problem has been fixed. You may use FAST Z motion normally unless you encounter that “clunk clunk clunk” sound again.

Laser Classes Feb 16, Mar 1

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We (finally!) have begun again to schedule basic operation and safety classes for the Sol Diego laser cutter/engraver at Colab. The first class will be Sunday, February 16, 2020, 1pm to 5pm. We will try to do the first and third Sunday afternoon of each month, at least until the demand has been satisfied. Inevitably, some of these dates will be canceled due to conflicts. If you want to take the laser class but are generally unable to attend on a Sunday afternoon, please let me know what timeslots work for you and I’ll try to schedule an extra class.

If you are on the Dinner with a Whale project, dedicated classes are being scheduled for you through Diane, starting Feb 23. Schedule through me if you can’t make the dedicated class; otherwise please sign up through Diane.

Laser class Sunday Feb 16, 2020, 1pm to 5pm: CLASS IS FULL


Laser class Sunday March 1, 2020, 1pm to 5pm: CLASS IS FULL

To sign up, email me at class@colaser.org and ask for the March 1 laser class. Class size is very limited and this one will likely fill up fast. Please wait for further announcements before requesting any other dates.

The class is free, and once you’ve completed the class you’ll be able to schedule time to use the Colaser, which is also free for art and personal projects. You don’t need to bring anything special to class. Be prepared for about two hours of classroom instruction, followed by hands-on exercises with the laser.

You can always email class@colaser.org if you have any questions.