The Smell of Molten Projects in the Morning

Ed Nisley's Blog: Shop notes, electronics, firmware, machinery, 3D printing, laser cuttery, and curiosities. Contents: 100% human thinking, 0% AI slop.

The New Hotness

  • Laser Cutter: Focus Ramp Tests

    A few ramp tests with various Focus Distance + Home Offset settings as noted:

    Ramp Test Targets - 14-17 mm
    Ramp Test Targets – 14-17 mm

    The bottom test was at 15 mm, which (contrary to previous estimates) seems to center the narrow band round 0.0 mm. Given the depth of field, a millimeter one way or the other likely doesn’t matter, particularly given the mmm lack of flatness in many materials.

    The controller settings making it happen:

    KT332N Autofocus settings
    KT332N Autofocus settings

    What they mean:

    • Home Offset = distance to retract after the autofocus “pen” = switch activates so the tip of the pen clears the material
    • Focus Distance = distance beyond Home Offset to put the focal point at the surface of the material (or wherever you want)
    • Enable Homing = makes autofocus work at the push of a button
    • Homing Speed = how fast the platform moves while focusing

    Getting the focus right really makes the laser cut like it should!