[Lab] Laser Laser

[Andrew Plumb]

Hi Jim,

Looks like there is hope for a CLI/non-Windows-Only print option for Epilog lasers:

http://www.nycresistor.com/2011/07/17/laser-cutting-commands/

Andrew.


On 2011-07-05, at 3:00 PM, Andrew Plumb wrote:

> Hi Jim,
> 
> Specs for the Zing 24 can be found here:
> 
> http://www.epiloglaser.com/zing_techspecs.htm
> 
> Manual is linked here:
> 	http://www.epiloglaser.com/laser_manuals.htm
> 	http://www.epiloglaser.com/downloads/pdf/zing_4.22.10.pdf
> 
> Front-end printer driver is Windows based:
> 
> 	http://www.epiloglaser.com/downloads_zing.htm
> 
> There isn't any gcode exposed to the user and CorelDraw seems to be the (documented) application of choice for interfacing with it.  That said, you can do interesting things by varying line width, colour and making multiple passes to control etch/cut depth vs resolution trade-offs.  Have a look through "Section 7: Using the Epilog Dashboard" of the manual.  That's where you'll find things like the "Color Mapping Tab" which could make it easy to match our local prototyping with services like the Ponoko color-coding of design submissions.
> 
> With that in mind, use SVG and/or DXF as your source files.  I intend to use a combination of InkScape, QCad and OpenSCAD for my own designs. 
> 
> W.r.t bringing in your own material, be *very* careful to track down all the MSDS details and seek out existing "is this laser-friendly" comments from the extended community.  There are obvious Bad Choices such as PVC and many other synthetics, but you also need to avoid a lot of adhesive-backed, weather-coated and some dyed materials because it's the coating that'll kill the machine and/or you when it vaporizes or burns, not the base material.
> 
> Andrew.
> 
> On 2011-07-05, at 1:05 PM, jim kiskis wrote:
> 
>> i am excited in seeing this beasty in action and is wondering what the
>> size of the bed is and i have my own material for being cut  bu the
>> machine, and what format the g code will have to be
>> 
>> jim
>> 
>> On Tue, Jul 5, 2011 at 12:44 PM, Andrew Plumb <andrew at plumb.org> wrote:
>>> Woo hoo!  Very much looking forward to using it!
>>> 
>>> Amdrew.
>>> 
>>> On 2011-07-05, at 12:42 PM, Ryan Stec wrote:
>>> 
>>>> Just a short note to everyone that the board of directors approved the purchase of an Epilogue Zing 24, 30 Watt Laser Cutter. We are talking timelines with the Ontario reseller, and will be looking at sometime in late August for arrival.
>>>> 
>>>> There is alot to be determined for training, access and cost and we look forward to getting peoples feedback on these issues.
>>>> 
>>>> We will be assembling a small team of members for training on the machine. We are still working on the details for this as well, but if you are interested please contact me directly so we can discuss further.
>>>> 
>>>> ____________________________________________________________________
>>>> 
>>>> Ryan Stec
>>>> Artistic Director
>>>> Artengine
>>>> 2 Daly Ave.          Ottawa, ON
>>>> K1N 6E2                      613.686.1941
>>>> 
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"The future is already here.  It's just not very evenly distributed" -- William Gibson

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