CNC Laser cutter status with some video

[Richard]

I finally got a video of my positioning system working. As you can see the laser and focusing lens have not been installed yet, but looks like this weekend is when its going to happen. To the right you can see the saddles where the laser tube will be mounted. I haven't designed the covers as of yet....thats next.

This beast is built like the proverbial brick out house and speed was not an issue since I don't plan to do any engraving with this machine. Maybe the next one I design and build, I'll take into account the inertial loads, but for the time being, this is good enough for me....laser cut short kits....here I come !

Some details
60W CO2 laser
Homebrew stepper motor power supply and controls.
Chilled water to cool the laser tube.
30,000 volts dc power supply to drive the laser.
240VAC to drive the whole system.
4" exhaust vacuum system to remove smoke
Compressed air to cool cutting area.
The X axis is driven by 1 stepper with 2 drive belts.
XY Gantry movement is fully programmable in direction and speed.
System can move up to 840 inches / min (14"/sec)
Max cutting area is 15" x 48". It will be be able to cut 1/4" ply and of course balsa.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qgj_YimFJb0

Richard