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Just Add Sharks Blacknose A3 User Manual

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Blacknose A3 Laser
Cutter and Engraver
User Guide
Version 0.2, July 14th 2015

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Summary of Contents for Just Add Sharks Blacknose A3

  • Page 1 Blacknose A3 Laser Cutter and Engraver User Guide Version 0.2, July 14th 2015...
  • Page 2 Precautions The Blacknose A4 Laser Cutter & Engraver Introduction Specifications Machine Overview Front Left Side Right Side Rear Cutting Bay Setup and Installation Parts List Work Stand Assembly Components: Tools Required: Removing Shipping Materials Air Assist System Components: Tools Required: Water Cooling System Components: Tools Required:...
  • Page 3 Setting the Model of Laser Cutter Note for Windows 8 users Running Lasercut 5.3 Working With The Demonstration Version Creation of cutting files for the laser Creation of native LaserCut files Basic Drawing Simple Shapes Line Rectangle Polyline Ellipse Text Simple Object Modification Rotate Mirror (Vertically)
  • Page 5 Precautions WARNING! ● Never open access panels without disconnecting power ● Do not circumvent the safety cut-out switch or operate the machine with access doors open ● Never run the laser cutter unattended ● Always vent material smoke or vapour to a suitable external outlet or filter system ●...
  • Page 6 The Blacknose A4 Laser Cutter & Engraver Introduction The Blacknose A3 40W is an economical laser cutter ideal for beginners, hobbyists and artists who are getting started in laser cutting. Ideal for making prototypes, models, jewellery and artwork, the Blacknose is the smallest Just Add Sharks cutter.
  • Page 7 Machine Overview Front Left Rear Side...
  • Page 8 Right Side Detail...
  • Page 9 Cutting Bay...

  • Page 10: Setup And Installation

    ‣ 100mm nozzle end plate ‣ 3 pairs of case keys ‣ Crank-type z-axis operating handle ‣ Alternative Just Add Sharks z-axis operating handle ‣ Leetro ‘Soft Dog’ (dongle for LaserCut software) ‣ Focusing tool ‣ Lockout keys to allow operation of the cutter ‣...
  • Page 11 Tools Required: 1. 5mm hex key The Blacknose A3 Laser Cutter comes with a work stand, although it may be used in a bench-mounted configuration if desired. Please note that due to the 55cm height of the main cutter unit, and the requirement to access the top...
  • Page 12 1. Identify the left and right sides of the stand - the angled end of the top bars is at the front of the stand 2. Use the hex bolts and washers to attach the cross bar to the left and right sides of the stand 3.
  • Page 13 Removing Shipping Materials The laser cutter may have foam inserts inside the unit which help protect the machine in transit. Check each openable compartment of the machine and remove any packaging/padding material found. Air Assist System Components: 1. Air pump 2.
  • Page 14 4. Insert the mains plug from the air pump into one of the sockets on the power strip Note that the air pump becomes warm when running and so should be placed in a well-ventilated area. The air pump also vibrates when operating. To reduce noise we recommend suspending the air pump with a bungee cord (provided), or resting the pump on a pad of foam or other vibration-absorbing material.
  • Page 15 5. Attach the other end of the first silicone hose to the hose nozzle on the water pump 6. Submerge the pump in the water reservoir 7. Attach one end of the second silicone hose to the connector labeled Water Out ​ on the lower right side of the cutter (push fit) 8.
  • Page 16 When the tube is free from bubbles, ensure the silicone sock is placed so the anode of the laser is in the centre of the sock. This helps to prevent arcing from the anode to the metal case of the laser cutter. Note It is a good idea to cut a hole in the lid of the water reservoir big enough for the hoses and cables to fit through.
  • Page 17 1. Attach the 100mm ⌀ extraction vent adapter to the extraction port on the left side of the machine with the hex bolts 2. Fit one end of the first piece of 100mm ⌀ blue extraction hose to the vent adapter, securing it with a hose clamp 3.
  • Page 18 Choosing A Cutting Bed The Blacknose A3 comes with two cutting beds: 1. Honeycomb bed 2. Knife bed The honeycomb bed allows the use of magnets to hold work securely and flat against the bed, and makes it easier to align the work in the cutter. However, this bed may result is more staining/residue on the work.
  • Page 19 LaserCut 5.3 Software Introduction LaserCut 5.3 is a dedicated piece of laser cutter control software written by Leetro Automation Co Ltd ​ . It is used to prepare cutting files that are sent to the Leetro MPC6515 ​ controller on board the laser cutter. LaserCut has some basic drawing functions but it becomes most useful when ​...
  • Page 20 Downloading LaserCut 5.3 The Lasercut 5.3 installation files can be ​ d ownloaded here ​ . Once downloaded, extract the files from the zipped archive to a new directory by right-clicking on the zip file and selecting ​ E xtract All …​ from the context menu.  ...
  • Page 21 Open the ​ L asercut 5.3 – Control Software ​ folder and run ​ S etup.exe ​ . The Welcome ​ dialog will open.   Leave the ​ I nstall Path ​ with the default setting. The ​ L aserCut53 Install Type ​ is a standalone version of Lasercut which can be used in demonstration mode without the need for the Soft Dog.
  • Page 22 the access doors may be shut. Note that the USB port on the right side of the cutter is only for connecting USB memory sticks to upload models, not for controlling the cutter. 3. Open the Windows ​ D evice Manager If the drivers have installed correctly then they will appear in the device manager as shown above.
  • Page 23 Installation on Windows 8 Make sure the Soft Dog and laser cutter are ​ n ot ​ connected to the computer before installing.    Switch to the Windows 8 desktop by clicking the desktop icon or typing desktop ​ into the search box. If you haven’t downloaded and extracted the zipped software yet, do so by following the instructions in ​...
  • Page 24   Windows 8 will issue a warning about running a program from an ​ U nknown Publisher ​ - click Y es ​ to continue. Leave the settings with the default values and ​ click the ​ I nstall ​ to proceed.  ...
  • Page 25   Running in Compatibility Mode Lasercut 5.3 is optimised for Windows 7. Window 8 has a handy feature which allows it to act like Windows 7 for software that is optimised to run on older systems. To run ​ C ompatibility Mode ​ open the ​ C :\LaserCut53\ ​ folder, then right click on the ​...
  • Page 27   Select ​ T ry recommended settings ​ .
  • Page 28   Click the ​ T est the program ​ button. This will open LaserCut 5.3. Note: you will need to return to the ​ P rogram Compatibility Troubleshooter ​ w indow before the settings will be completed. Click the ​ N ext ​ button. In the next section, select ​...
  • Page 29   Setting the Model of Laser Cutter LaserCut 5.3 is used for all Just Add Sharks laser cutters. To verify the correct model is configured, open LaserCut 5.3 and look in the title bar of the application.
  • Page 30   The above example shows the software for the ​ B lacknose A3 ​ laser cutter. To change which model of laser cutter to use, close the LaserCut program, open the ​ C :\LaserCut53\ ​ folder. There are four ​ b atch ​ files - one for each Just Add Sharks laser model.
  • Page 31 Lasercut 5.3 – Greyfin ● Lasercut 5.3 – Silvertail ● Lasercut 5.3 – Whitetooth ● To configure LaserCut 5.3 to work with your model of cutter, double-click the appropriate file. Note for Windows 8 users When running the batch files to set-up different lasers, a warning message will appear.
  • Page 32 Running Lasercut 5.3 There are two versions of LaserCut 5.3 in the program path, a full version (named ​ L asercut53) ​ and a demonstration version (named ​ L asercut53_Demo) ​ . The full version of LaserCut will only run if the Soft Dog USB dongle is connected to the computer.
  • Page 33 Creation of cutting files for the laser   Once the file has been prepared with the demonstration version, click the Download ​ button in the bottom right hand corner of the main window.   Lasercut will open a warning message dialog to indicate that the laser cutter is not connected to the computer.
  • Page 34   Click ​ E xport file ​ , this creates a series of cutting files. The laser cutter can read these files directly from a USB stick when it is inserted into the USB port on the right side of the machine.   ...
  • Page 35 Basic Drawing Lasercut 5.3 provides the user with a selection of basic drawing functions. These functions are very useful for creating quick drawings or to modify imported items. For more complicated drawings it is recommend that you use and import the drawing as a ​ D XF ​ file. a 3rd party program like ​...
  • Page 36 rectangle. Holding down the ​ C trl ​ key while the rectangle is being drawn makes the height and width the same length so the shape ends as a circle.   Text With the text tool, the user is expected to click and drag to draw a rectangle on the screen.
  • Page 37 Simple Object Modification These functions work by modify the currently selected item(s). Select the item first and then select the tool.     Rotate With the items you want to transform selected, click on the rotate button. Type the desired angle into the rotate angle box and the items will be rotated around the centre of all the selected items.
  • Page 38 be snapped to any of the other nodes within the item and a cyan copy of the item appears allowing you to return the node back to it’s original location.   Size The size dialog box shows you the current size of the item.
  • Page 39 Centre to Table With the desired items selected, Centre to Table moves them all to the middle of the work area. Invert Colors Invert Colors works on raster images that have been imported into the work area. It does a simple calculation that converts the white pixels to black pixels and vice versa.
  • Page 40 Using the Laser Cutter - Workflow • Simple editing in LaserCut • Importing from • Turning on the laser cutter ‣ Cooling 5 mins before ‣ Air assist & extraction when cutting • Download model to cutter • Datum • Using the focus tool •...

  • Page 41: Maintenance

    Maintenance Maintenance schedule Frequency Task Weekly Visually inspect the three mirrors lens for dirt or damage. Clean only if necessary Weekly Remove bed and remove detritus and clean cutting area to prevent a build-up of residue Weekly Check cooling system: 1.
  • Page 42 1. Use the mirror release tool by slotting it into the notches in the retaining nut on the rear side of the mirror 2. A cotton bud may then be used to push gently on the reflective side of the mirror to remove it from the rear of the housing 3.
  • Page 43 Lens 1. Use the z-axis operating handle to lower the bed so there is enough clearance between the nozzle and the bed to slide out the lens tube 2. Loosen the two brass lens tube retaining screws and slide the tube downwards.
  • Page 44 6. Allow time for any isopropanol to evaporate and then reassemble the lens tube and place it back in the mirror housing, securing it with the retaining screws Laser Alignment Tools Required: • Phillips screwdriver • Masking tape • Mirror release tool Time Needed: 30 minutes - 3 hours ●...
  • Page 45 Making Masking Tape Targets 1. Tear or cut two pieces of masking tape. The first piece should be about one and a half times the width of the tape, the second should be about three times the width of the tape. 2.
  • Page 46 Part 1: Rough Laser Tube Position The first task is to check that the laser tube is pointing at the centre of mirror. If necessary the tube mounts may be adjusted to change the height and angle of the laser tube, although To adjust the mounts, loosen the hex bolts with a hex key and raise or lower the tube as necessary.
  • Page 47 be about half its maximum distance from mirror 1) 7. Stick a new piece of tape over the burn mark (the marker from the first burn should be visible through the tape) 8. Fire the laser again - a second mark should be made.
  • Page 48 6. Stick a new piece of tape over the burn mark (the marker from the first burn should be visible through the tape) 7. Move the cutting head to the right-most extent and fire the laser again. If no mark appears on the target, halve the distance between mirrors 2 and three and try again (repeat until you see the second mark) 8.
  • Page 49 8. Fire the laser again, and make adjustments to the screws on mirror three to move the new burn mark exactly over the first burn: a. Turning the screw on the right side clockwise with move the burn mark to the right b.

  • Page 50: Troubleshooting

    Troubleshooting Symptom Cause Solution Laser does not cut (no Lid not fully closed Close the lid marks on material) Laser cuts but not all the Focus incorrect Use the focus tool to set way through material the correct z-axis position Cutting speed to Check the settings for fast / power too...