Laser Engraver - Rotary Axis

[puffernutter]

A few years ago I bought through this forum a 50W laser engraver, similar to the Omtech MF1220-50. It came with a set of rollers, which I have modified to give me the ability to change the angle, so I can engrave glasses etc. that are not parallel (if you see what I mean). It is very useful and is used to produce bespoke items I sell for a good cause.

What I'd like to do now is tankards etc., basically items that have handles or won't work on rollers, so I'm looking for a chuck type. The control system for teh X and Y axis seems to use standard stepper motor drivers and connections are through what sites describe as a "4 pin aviation plug". I will need to have a close look to determine the actual volts/set up on these drivers, I do know that I just plug the rollers in and set up parameters through Lightburn!

My issue is finding a compatible chuck type. The one sold by Omtech has a metal chuck, what appears to be a metal centre at the other end and has no way of tilting. I am nervous of putting anything glass in a metal chuck. Others I have seen have no details of the steppers used, so U have no idea of compatibility.

I don't have a huge budget, so what have others done to laser engrave anything with a handle please?

Cheers

Peter

 

[minimutly]

Can you not just add some conformable material to the chuck jaws?

 

[sako243]

Do you need a chuck or can you get away with a faceplate / live centre setup? It's not like you're turning something and need to handle big axial loads so perhaps a disc (wood, plastic, metal etc) with a piece of neoprene or something similar glued to it attached to a stepper motor. Then at the other end it can be a live centre like setup but crucially some means of applying a bit of pressure to clamp the item in between. A bolt with some kind of thrust bearing between it and the other disc would work.

 

[puffernutter]

Can you not just add some conformable material to the chuck jaws?

I could, but other makes have longer plastic jaws and more importantly they have the ability to move in the horizontal plane to cope with items with sloping sides.

If all else fails, that may have to be it!

Peter

 

[6ply]

A few years ago I bought through this forum a 50W laser engraver, similar to the Omtech MF1220-50. It came with a set of rollers, which I have modified to give me the ability to change the angle, so I can engrave glasses etc. that are not parallel (if you see what I mean). It is very useful and is used to produce bespoke items I sell for a good cause.

What I'd like to do now is tankards etc., basically items that have handles or won't work on rollers, so I'm looking for a chuck type. The control system for teh X and Y axis seems to use standard stepper motor drivers and connections are through what sites describe as a "4 pin aviation plug". I will need to have a close look to determine the actual volts/set up on these drivers, I do know that I just plug the rollers in and set up parameters through Lightburn!

My issue is finding a compatible chuck type. The one sold by Omtech has a metal chuck, what appears to be a metal centre at the other end and has no way of tilting. I am nervous of putting anything glass in a metal chuck. Others I have seen have no details of the steppers used, so U have no idea of compatibility.

I don't have a huge budget, so what have others done to laser engrave anything with a handle please?

Cheers

Peter

Would this help?

 

[puffernutter]

Having now pressed Omtech a little further, their tech team has said that the chuck I was looking at

70mm Rotary Axis Attachment for MOPA and Fiber Laser Engraver with 3 J

Enhance your laser engraving precision with the 70mm rotary axis attachment, featuring a 3-jaw chuck. Perfect for marking cylindrical objects using MOPA or fiber laser engravers.

omtechlaser.uk

is electrically compatible, but will not screw down to the honeycomb in my laser engraver!

I'm sure I can find a nice steel baseplate to put it on, so hopefully problem solved!

Peter

 

[puffernutter]

Would this help?

Possible, but I would need to check the electrical connections and the tilt is stall an issue. Certainly the chuck end looks much more friendly to glass!

 

[6ply]

Possible, but I would need to check the electrical connections and the tilt is stall an issue. Certainly the chuck end looks much more friendly to glass!

If I get a chance I could pop the cover open, but I expect there's no electronics inside, just a stepper motor and gears/pulleys.

 

[Agroshield]

Why not make a cylinder (e.g. 110mm or 150mm waste pipe) that will sit in the rollers you already have and bolt a suitable chuck (e.g. from a woodturning or engraving source) to it?

Then you are only making the workholding and do not need to duplicate-spend on the electronics.

The diameter of the cylinder would need to be large enough so the handle clears the roller or the item being engraved needs to overhang the roller (so the cylinder would need some weight).

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[Turbo]

For holding the glass could you use a steel base plate and place a padded neodymium inside the glass?