Laser crosshair torch positioner

[acourtjester]

Here is how I setup a laser crosshair for torch positioning
the crosshair laser units are very cheap both eBay and Amazon sell them, I use +5 volts from my PC for power and a small toggle to turn it on/off when needed. I reassigned a button in Mach for this.
https://youtu.be/0oiemc9ZUfg

[djreiswig]

Great idea. Lots easier and more accurate than trying to align off of the torch tip.

[ggeh]

I like the idea of using the single cross hair on the carriage. I have two lasers mounted at an angle to my torch and the center of the cross hair moves with the vertical travel of the torch, so its accuracy is depended upon the torch height.

I have set up a scribe mounted next to my torch but this is would seem to me kind of reverse of that set up.
Does any one know how to set this up on Candcnc?

[motoguy]

I use these. I started with cutting my own mounts, from the drawings here. Then I went to a 3-d printed version, because my cut/welded one wasn't perfectly true. Then I went with this one, which seals the lasers away from the plasma dust, and has removable covers for the laser lenses (I've already replaced one, after piercing some 3/4" material). Pricey at ~$200, but works great. Also, due to it's design, the "x" stays on center, regardless of the torch height. That's one reason I never liked the single diode arrangements (dots or x pattern). With the single diode, it's always height dependent (or so it seems).

https://torchmate.com/products/accessor ... crosshairs

[robertspark]

suggestion....

what about placing a crosshair laser on you gantry in a suitable position that works for you

Then use a macro / macro button to run a macro that offsets the work co-ordinates to the laser and move the laser to align where the torch was..

Jog around, and then use a macro button to offset the work co-ordinates back to the torch offset.

Something similar is used for the scribe {but in scheetcam, this would be via macro / button code}

2nd suggestion..... have you looked at a red laser crosshair with 3 or 5 shade glasses on? The red does not look so clear.... if you flip to a green laser it will show up clearly in shade 3 or even 5 green protective glasses...

[ggeh]

suggestion....

what about placing a crosshair laser on you gantry in a suitable position that works for you

Then use a macro / macro button to run a macro that offsets the work co-ordinates to the laser and move the laser to align where the torch was..

Jog around, and then use a macro button to offset the work co-ordinates back to the torch offset.

Something similar is used for the scribe {but in scheetcam, this would be via macro / button code}

2nd suggestion..... have you looked at a red laser crosshair with 3 or 5 shade glasses on? The red does not look so clear.... if you flip to a green laser it will show up clearly in shade 3 or even 5 green protective glasses...

Are you in mach or candcnc? Im using candcnc? I dont know how to write a macro in either program. Is there some one to explain step by step or have an example on how to do this? I have seen acourtjesters youtube video but Its using mach not candcnc.
Thanks Gary

[acourtjester]

Another method is to create a code in SheetCam with the G-code to move the torch to the pointer position and zero out the DROs. You could then select it as the first operation in you plan. I made on to pause the G-code so I could change the plasma amps for dimpling.
That way you move the pointer and then the first operation is to move the torch to its start place and run the rest of the g-code.
To create a code go to tools at the top and the drop down menu has "code" then put your G-code in there, It will then place that in the tool menu for you to select. Your first operation will be to click on the code Icon under operation then select the code you want from the menu shown and then do the rest of your planning

code.JPG

code 2.JPG

[john78]

suggestion....

what about placing a crosshair laser on you gantry in a suitable position that works for you

Then use a macro / macro button to run a macro that offsets the work co-ordinates to the laser and move the laser to align where the torch was..

Jog around, and then use a macro button to offset the work co-ordinates back to the torch offset.

Something similar is used for the scribe {but in scheetcam, this would be via macro / button code}

2nd suggestion..... have you looked at a red laser crosshair with 3 or 5 shade glasses on? The red does not look so clear.... if you flip to a green laser it will show up clearly in shade 3 or even 5 green protective glasses...

I use a laser pointer and did exactly what you said. Have a button with a macro that moves to the laser offset then zeros the position.

[robertspark]

Are you in mach or candcnc? Im using candcnc?

UCCNC, ex mach3.
Only dabbled with linuxcnc upon which candcnc runs

[tylerd]

I use these. I started with cutting my own mounts, from the drawings here. Then I went to a 3-d printed version, because my cut/welded one wasn't perfectly true. Then I went with this one, which seals the lasers away from the plasma dust, and has removable covers for the laser lenses (I've already replaced one, after piercing some 3/4" material). Pricey at ~$200, but works great. Also, due to it's design, the "x" stays on center, regardless of the torch height. That's one reason I never liked the single diode arrangements (dots or x pattern). With the single diode, it's always height dependent (or so it seems).

https://torchmate.com/products/accessor ... crosshairs

Was this fairly easy to setup? We have the same table and electronics, I am thinking of ordering one.

[motoguy]

Yup, super easy. The most time-consuming part was running the power cable from the torch through the cable chain, so I can plug it in at my power outputs on my white control box. This lets me turn the laser on and off with the pendant.

[tylerd]

Wow that was quick, did you buy that new? I just got a quote for one and it was 650.00, I would do a couple hundred but damn, that is too much for me! He said they only had 3 left and are discontinuing it, the new one will be made of metal and be out in a few months. I see trick tools has it for 430..but still pretty pricey!

[tylerd]

Anyone ever try one of these? pretty cheap, don't know much about these I guess the accuracy depends on how high they are mounted on the torch, and that changes with raising or lowering the Z axis?

https://procutcnc.com/product/laser-crosshair/

[motoguy]

Wow that was quick, did you buy that new? I just got a quote for one and it was 650.00, I would do a couple hundred but damn, that is too much for me! He said they only had 3 left and are discontinuing it, the new one will be made of metal and be out in a few months. I see trick tools has it for 430..but still pretty pricey!

My mistake. The Dynatorch is the one I have. I did buy it new, it was $200, I love it. BTW, I checked an old quote I got from TM when I was looking at the laser providers...their quote was $350 at the time. Sounds like their prices have jumped a lot!

https://www.dynatorch.com/accessories/d ... r-locator/

[motoguy]

Anyone ever try one of these? pretty cheap, don't know much about these I guess the accuracy depends on how high they are mounted on the torch, and that changes with raising or lowering the Z axis?

https://procutcnc.com/product/laser-crosshair/

I've got one. It's still sitting on top of the tool box, where it went a few days after it arrived. That's when I decided to quit farting around, and just ordered the Dynatorch unit (mentioned above). The ProCut unit is 3d-printed. That's fine, but I didn't like the battery-operated/push button setup. I wanted to be able to switch it on/off with my pendant. I removed the battery diode, and ran wired diodes.

In the end, the exposed laser diode is just a bad idea. That's what finally pushed me to the Dynatorch unit. All the units I had before were exposed laser units, like the ProCut. In the end, dust got into them, and shorted them out, or ruined the lens, etc.

The Dynatorch units are sealed in the housing, and they have a sacrificial/replaceable lens cover on the bottom. I've already replaced these covers once, when I pierced some 3/4" material and melted the covers. The Dynatorch units cost 4x the amount of the ProCut unit ($200 vs $50), but I'm completely satisfied with the purchase.

[tylerd]

Awesome I just got a quote from Dynatorch earlier today, and it was just over 200, going to go ahead and do the purchase tomorrow, thanks so much for the feedback!

[tylerd]

I got my laser locator, but they did not send a cable with it. I will have to contact them back. But the unit has a small toggle switch on it and a mini 3 prong receptacle, is that the same as yours?

[tylerd]

Just got off the phone with them, cable is enroute, great customer service!

[tylerd]

Finally going to mount mine this weekend, you wouldn't happen to have a picture of yours mounted would you?