I’ve updated the comprehensive Laser Job Checklist to match the new laser configuration and software environment. You can get a PDF copy in the Downloads section on this site.
Laser Job Checklist updated
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Laser Update
The laser seems to be working fine after its long holiday.
I’ve updated the Lightburn software on the laptop. We now have two versions of Lightburn installed: the latest and greatest from the stable 1.7.x series, and a release candidate version from the 2.0.0RC series. You can run either one you like, but make sure only one is running at a time. I recommend going straight to the 2.0.0RC version, even though it’s not officially released. It’s the future, and so far it seems well-behaved. If you run into any problems with 2.0, you can always fall back to the 1.7 version installed.
As of yesterday, you no longer need to worry about turning on the ventilation fan or the air assist compressor. The ventilation fan will automatically come on when you power up the laser, and remain on until you switch it off. The air assist compressor will automatically come on when the laser starts to run your job, and automatically switch off at the end of the job. Please listen for and be aware of both fans, though, in case the automation somehow fails. It’s still your responsibility to make sure both are enabled while you’re running a job.
I also have a plan to install a two-speed capability on the air assist. This will be controlled by the Air setting for each layer (color) in your Lightburn job. If Air is on, the air assist will run at full speed, as it always has. If Air is off, the air assist will run at a minimal speed, just enough to keep smoke and ash out of the lens cone. You’re free to experiment to see which setting works best for your job. As a rule of thumb, you’ll probably want full speed for cutting, and low speed for engraving.
You still have to turn on the water chiller manually before operating the laser. If the water chiller isn’t circulating water, or if the laser’s lid isn’t down, the machine will go through the motions of running your job, but it will not fire the laser tube.
I’m in the final stages of revising the training for the new laser setup. I hope to be scheduling new classes by mid-July. If you’ve ever written to class@colaser.org about a class, I’ll email you when classes are available to schedule. If you haven’t, or if your email address has changed, you can write to class@colaser.org to get on the list.
If you want to get a jump on the training, look online for Lightburn tutorials. I’d suggest starting with YouTube videos. Or, if you’re more a reader of manuals, the official Lightburn documentation is pretty good. Lightburn supports several different laser types; where there’s a fork in the road, choose the one for CO2 lasers of the “DSP” type, with a Ruida controller. You’ll find a lot more information online than I can possible include in the training course.
Laser Almost Ready at New CoLab Location
The laser has been re-relocated to its new home at the new permanent location of Colab, at 4667 Mission Gorge Place, Suite A, in San Diego. Thanks to the great work of Jolly Rancher and many other volunteers, the laser has its own air-conditioned space with all-new exhaust ventilation to outdoors. The laser tube has been re-installed. A few finishing touches remain before the laser can be operated. After that, a thorough alignment and tuning is all that should be needed before the laser can return to regular service.
That is, if nothing else goes wrong. One of the finishing touches planned for the work session on Tuesday (April 8, 2025) was to refill the water cooling system that keeps the laser tube cool during operation. After adding the first gallon of distilled water to the chiller, we had about half a gallon of water on the floor. Investigation revealed that one of the tubes inside chiller had become brittle with age, and cracked in several places. Most of the tubes in the chiller are silicone and are still in good condition, but that one tube was clear polyurethane. That tube serves as a sight glass to judge the water level, so it has to be transparent. I didn’t find a local source for polyurethane tubing, but the blessedly nearby Home Depot was able to supply clear vinyl tubing in the same size. With the new tubing installed, the chiller no longer leaks. That little side quest consumed the remaining time in the Tuesday work session, though. The next step is to run the cooling water into the laser tube.
Speaking of the laser tube, it was practically new when Covid hit, but laser tubes of this type also have a limited shelf life. Five years later, it’s possible that the tube won’t work at all, or won’t work as well as it did when new. Once we have the cooling water working, we will test it and find out.
Colab COVID-19 Update
CoLab is (and has been for a while) available for single-user access and small groups from the same household for machine use by appointment only. Go to the Schedule page and request access as usual if you want to use the laser on these terms, or email info@sdcolab.org if you have questions about the policy.
Indoor classes, including our laser safety classes, are still considered unsafe. Classes will resume as soon as conditions permit.
Laser tuned up
I gave the laser a new beam combiner, a new red spotting laser, a new key switch, and a careful alignment. It’s now cutting great again.
CoLab is shut down
“Until Further Notice, CoLab will be postponing space use and classes until further notice in light of recent developments related to the COVID-19 Virus (Coronavirus).”
Please see the CoLab web site for a statement from CoLab Management and for further updates.
Laser Class March 15
UPDATE: THIS CLASS IS CANCELED.
Keeping with the new schedule for the basic operation and safety classes for the Sol Diego laser cutter/engraver at Colab, I’m announcing the next class will be Sunday, March 15, 2020, 12 noon to 5pm.
Enrollment is now open. To sign up, email me at class@colaser.org and ask for the March 15 laser class. Class size is very limited and this one will likely fill up. Class is FULL.
There will be more classes after that, generally on the first and third Sunday afternoons. Please wait for each class to be announced before trying to sign up. 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.
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.
Avoid Fast Z motion
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
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.
Laser Classes for July
More sessions of the basic operation and safety training course for the Sol Diego laser cutter/engraver at Colab have been scheduled:
Tuesday, July 23, 1pm to 6pm (CLASS IS FULL)
or
Thursday, July 25, 6pm to 10pm (CLASS IS FULL)
or
Sunday, July 28, 1pm to 6pm (CLASS IS FULL)
or (UPDATE!)
Wednesday, July 31, 6pm to 10pm
To sign up, email class@colaser.org and let me know which session you prefer. 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 90 minutes of classroom instruction, followed by hands-on exercises with the laser.
UPDATE: This will be the last class scheduled before Burning Man.