I decided to add this to my shop

[Joe Jones]

I just ordered my second X-Tool D1 PRO with the extended frame. I have both laser heads, and now this one will come with a spare 20 watt blue diode laser. I decided that it is more trouble than it is worth, to swap out the laser heads to move from the blue diode laser to the red IR laser, so I just decided it would be easier to build a second frame and mount the red IR laser to that frame. I got the red frame but they only had the gray extensions. Anyway, it will be easy to determine which laser is which, because of the red color of the frame front and rear pieces, and the red laser head. I will also add the drag chains to this machine as well.

Now I have to figure out how to build a double decker enclosed cabinet that will house both lasers and give me access to each.

Joe

drag chain.jpg

[rdj357]

Nice... Could you post the details of the fiber laser you have??
TIA..

Sure, I have a Q-switched, 50w Galvo Fiber Laser from Richard Zhang (OMG Laser). He has a great reputation on FB and has sold many lasers to customers here in the US. I wouldn't hesitate to order another laser from him (in fact I am looking at the CO2 Galvo that he is now offering as well). I have both a 150x150mm and 300x300mm lens and the taller Z tower to accommodate the larger lens's longer focal point distance.

https://www.omglaser.com/products/fiber ... g-machine/

[cstroke]

Thank you,
I have a bigger 150 watt laser, 36"x55" I bought last year, but I like some of the things a fiber laser does.
I'm happy I bought this for some things, but I think I could have gone the fiber route for most of what I like to do.
But then again I think I need a fiber cutting table too...
Thanks again for the information.
Chris

[cstroke]

What does one of these cost??
Thanks
Chris

[rdj357]

I have an 80 watt CO2 with a 22x38" bed - works great for what it does (organics). I think it's like having both a flat and cross head screwdriver in your toolbox. They each excel at something individually and some things, just like prying with said screwdriver, can be done by both. I could do anodized card at probably 300 mm/second with my gantry CO2 but I'd much rather do it at 4000 mm/sec on the fiber with the same results.

I gave about $8k for the fiber when I got it in 2019. I'm not sure what they're running these days.

[acourtjester]

This may clear things up.
https://www.xtool.com/blogs/buyer-guide ... difference

[Joe Jones]

That is helpful.

Joe

[Joe Jones]

Dang it! It just occurred to me that I may need to order a third machine, and set that one up with the rotary attachment as a permanent setup. A bit pricy, perhaps. but it may be worth the convenience.

Joe

[Joe Jones]

They offered 10% off, so I went ahead and bought a third D1 PRO with the dual head setup. This has both the blue and red lasers. I will set ti up as a dedicated rotary machine. I like options

Joe

[cstroke]

He Joe,
What's the advantage to having a D1 as a rotary machine and not using your Galvo??
Galvos are quite a bit faster aren't they??
My impression are galvo styles are the fastest followed by co2 then diode??
Educate me on this..
It could be as simple as I just wanted too LOl..

[acourtjester]

The advantage in using the Xtool D1 diode laser is they have a rotary assembly already. The expansion of users with the diode laser group has made more optional setup available on the market. This means the rotary assembly can be added to a diode laser setup by just unplugging the axis motor and plugging that cable into the rotary motor. I have the one made for my Ortur laser very easy to attach and use for round engraving projects.
More hobbyist in the market the more you can sell to. And yes if forgot to rotate the chicken before etching on the glass.

DSCN0024.JPG

[cstroke]

I have a Piburn rotary on my Co2 and it's fairly simple to plug in as well.
The galvos I've been researching have them as well, I'm guessing not all offer these???
The one I was researching has the rotator and then the table for business cards and basically they both plug and play..
Oh and that's a kick in the nards.. forgetting to rotate. It's like forgetting to bridge with the plasma.. same kick just a new foot attached to it.

[Joe Jones]

He Joe,
What's the advantage to having a D1 as a rotary machine and not using your Galvo??
Galvos are quite a bit faster aren't they??
My impression are galvo styles are the fastest followed by co2 then diode??
Educate me on this..
It could be as simple as I just wanted too LOl..

I do not know if the X-TOOL rotary will connect to the 30 watt Galvo fiber laser I have, or if I would need to buy a specific rotary device for the galvo laser. Part of the madness of setting up these machines this way, is that when I go to sell them, it is not a case of trying to sell something that has been Frankensteined together. I would sell complete machines, which makes them easier to sell.

I would like to set up a rotary with this galvo laser. I just don't know where to go to get reliable information on finding and connecting it.

Joe


.

[cstroke]

I see on cloud rays site they sell a driver and a rotary. My guess is its for cases like yours.
I'm sure many people have the answer but finding that person is the part that will make you crazy..
Lots to learn..

[Joe Jones]

I see on cloud rays site they sell a driver and a rotary. My guess is its for cases like yours.
I'm sure many people have the answer but finding that person is the part that will make you crazy..
Lots to learn..

Please post a like to "cloud rays" and I will begin the search for a rotary for this galvo laser.

Joe

[acourtjester]

Adding a rotary to your setup would require access to the software to change the calibration for the rotary axis. If they use GRBL it it easy with some math to change the steps per for fit the rotary. I did that with my CNC table to attach a rotary on it for plasma cutting.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rz7nVt1EvX0
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mDO9sx8NiPA

[Joe Jones]

Adding a rotary to your setup would require access to the software to change the calibration for the rotary axis. If they use GRBL it it easy with some math to change the steps per for fit the rotary. I did that with my CNC table to attach a rotary on it for plasma cutting.

I don't understand why it is necessary to change the calibration for rotary cutting. A circle has a top quadrant and a bottom quadrant. It should not matter if the torch is moving six inches horizontally across a flat surface, or if six inches of the surface of a cylinder is rolling beneath the torch, with the torch remaining at top dead center. The travel distance over the material remains the same.

This of course, only measures the exterior SURFACE dimensions of the cylinder. If you are planning to cut a hole to insert a smaller tube through a larger round tube, then the cut must be offset to allow for the kerf to establish the size of the hole based on the INSIDE circumference of the material, which would mean that the cut on the outside surface would be exaggerated perpendicular to the cylinder's central axis.

Joe

[acourtjester]

Your first statement is true, but you must understand when creating a new axis (rotary assembly). It will have a different steps per distance due to a new assembly. With mine since the axis I disconnected and the new axis (rotary) did not have the same ratio in its drive, new calibrations was needed.
If you disconnect the Y axis and can match the rotary axis gearing the same then no recalibrations are needed. This setup makes it so I kept the same number of axis in the controller and software. I would just change the steps per in the software to use the rotary and change back for normal CNC table use for plasma or router. This is the same way the Ortur rotary is done, they kept the same drive ratio.

[adbuch]

Your first statement is true, but you must understand when creating a new axis (rotary assembly). It will have a different steps per distance due to a new assembly. With mine since the axis I disconnected and the new axis (rotary) did not have the same ratio in its drive, new calibrations was needed.
If you disconnect the Y axis and can match the rotary axis gearing the same then no recalibrations are needed. This setup makes it so I kept the same number of axis in the controller and software. I would just change the steps per in the software to use the rotary and change back for normal CNC table use for plasma or router. This is the same way the Ortur rotary is done, they kept the same drive ratio.

Great explanation Tom!
David

[cstroke]

https://www.cloudraylaser.com/collectio ... 6724004001
Hey Joe,
I have no idea if this is compatible or not with your set up.
Just saw it on CloudRay Like I mentioned.
Hope it points you in the right direction.

[adbuch]

Cstroke - that looks like a nice unit and very versatile. I purchased something similar a while back on Amazon, basically a stepper motor driven 4th axis. I interfaced mine to my Arduino/GRBL controlled diy router/engraving table. Just need to calibrate the GRBL settings for the particular stepper motor/drive combination.
David

rotary chuck.jpg

[Joe Jones]

https://www.cloudraylaser.com/collectio ... 6724004001
Hey Joe,
I have no idea if this is compatible or not with your set up.
Just saw it on CloudRay Like I mentioned.
Hope it points you in the right direction.

Thanks! I sent them an email asking about linking a rotary D125 to my machine. I await their reply.

Joe

[Joe Jones]

Two 40 watt laser heads are on their way now. X-TOOL came out with them recently, so ordered two of them to use, as an option on two of the machines. The weather is warming up, and I am done with my CommieFornia run, so now I can focus on things in the shops again.

Joe

[plasmanewbie]

Two 40 watt laser heads are on their way now. X-TOOL came out with them recently, so ordered two of them to use, as an option on two of the machines. The weather is warming up, and I am done with my CommieFornia run, so now I can focus on things in the shops again.

Joe

Right on, I am very interested in those and would like to see what you are able to do with those Joe. Keep me posted.

[acourtjester]

Joe
I contacted X-Tool about buying one of the 8 diode heads, I asked about the signal (TTL) for varying the laser output. As I wanted to attach it for my CNC table as I did with the Ortur 2 diode laser. They told me it would void the warranty on the unit (Kiss Off) we don't want your business.
Seems like only owner like with the less powerful etchers can buy the for install on their unit.