Hello!

My name is Jay Vilhauer, and I would like to submit this CNC Fiber Laser Table project for PCBWay sponsorship.

Overview

This project will create a DIY FIber Laser Table, for home hobby use. The main driver for development is to use it to fabricate components for a DeLorean EV Conversion. (Sorry, no Time Machine, but it may have a Flux Capacitor. 😉)

I am requesting PCBWay sponsorship of approx. $715.00 worth of CNC aluminum components. The build process will be documented on my YouTube channel, of course with promotional content and links for PCBWay services. (This is my first time documenting a project on YouTube, but not the first time creating YouTube videos, including 4-camera musical performance videos.)

Who Am I?

My career has been as a Electrical and Electronics Engineer; However, my first degree was in Music (I was a band director for several years before going into engineering), and I am still a performing Musician and Actor.

I have more than 30 years of experience in Medical Devices and other electronic products, with roles in Product Design, Test, Manufacturing, and Quality Engineering, as well as Executive Management in leading Medical Device companies.

I recently retired, and am now enjoying the time for “projects” like these. I live in Marysville, WA, USA (Near Seattle).

Project Description

The CNC Fiber Laser Table is based largely on a design by Travis Mitchell, with a number of modifications for laser head, laser source and chiller, CNC drive system, and enclosure and viewing elements.

The completed project will be a 2000W Fiber Laser cutting table with CNC control, fully enclosed, with a footprint of approx. 1m2, with a maximum cutting area of roughly 900mm x 700mm.

The laser source and chilling functions will be adapted from a handheld 2000W Laser Welder/Cutter/Cleaner. These components will receive their control from a Raytools CNC controller and software. The handheld laser gun will be replaced with a Raytools BT220 laser cutting head. The system can be converted back to a handheld laser with only a few connector changes.

Construction

The framework will be constructed from 2020-style aluminum extrusion. The lower section will have aluminum or steel floors and back panels for fire resistance and laser safety.

The floor just under the cutting surface will consist of ¾” thick poly high alumina fire brick, capable of withstanding >3000ºF and absorbing even direct laser strikes. This provides additional fire protection and is significantly lighter than heavy gauge steel.

The gantry and rail systems will again be constructed using 2020 extrusion. The PCBWay CNC parts will primarily be utilized in this section.

400W EtherCAT AC Servo Motors and a belt drive system will be used to drive the X, Y1, and Y2 axes. The Z-axis will utilize a Servo Motor drive to a lead screw.

For raw material support, a pre-fabricated aluminum “knife blade” table with replaceable blades will be used.

The enclosure panels will be fire-rated Aluminum Composite Material (ACM) panels, consisting of a fireproof ceramic layer sandwiched between two aluminum layers, for laser safety and light weight.

The cutting area will be over 270 degrees viewable, using OD6+ Laser Safety sheets.

Filter and ventilation systems will be included to remove dangerous gases and particulates.

The upper frame will again be constructed from 2020 extrusion and again enclosed in ACM panels. An opening will remain in the top of the enclosure for Laser Head fiber and electrical cabling.

The PCBWay components being requested to be sponsored include various end support plates, mounts, and other machined parts. A complete list of the PCBWay components, including .step files and tapping specifications for each part is already uploaded to my cart in my PCBWay account.

I greatly appreciate being considered for PCBWay sponsorship for this project. I am happy to answer any questions you may have by email or by phone at the contact info listed in my account.

Thank you!!

Jay Vilhauer