System Setup

SaintSmart 3018 Prover

Initial Setup

The first acquisition was the Genmitsu 3018-PROVer Semi Assembled CNC Router Kit as sold by SainSmart. The model was selected for the following reasons:

It was affordable, especially as I didn't know how much it would be used;
It came complete with z-probe, limit switches and emergency stop;
SainSmart offers good online support ;
There is an active online group - the only disadvantage is that it is on Facebook, so you have to sell your identity and soul to Zuckerberg if you want to join in.

With the initial acquisition I also got the 5.5 Watt CNC Blue-Violet Light Fixed Focus Laser Module Kit and the Genmitsu KABA Desktop CNC Enclosure.
As the router would be in the workshop and I would like to keep it clean, I thought the enclosure was a good option.

I found that to work with the enclosure it limits your access to the system. Switching from router to laser was almost impossible with enclosure in place.

Extensions

In the mean time extended the y axis with the 3040 Y-Axis Extension Kit for 3018 Series CNC Router Y, which gives me a theoretical workspace of 300 x400 (mm). This is gives a bit more playroom to fix the material and allows you to work with larger pieces of material. This was certainly a good investment, however the Genmitsu KABA Desktop CNC Enclosure became totally useless as the new configuration wouldn't fit in any longer...

I also got the Genmitsu Aluminum Spindle Holder for 3018-PROVer while on the look out for the 300W spindle.

Sculpfun S9

As I was getting more ambitious with cutting out, I was looking to upgrade the laser module. First stop was Sainsmart. But here I had the challenge that the better laser modules didn't fit the standard 3018. It would mean replacing the control board and the way the laser is connecting. But I still would like to use the router... After some further searching I came across the Sculpfun S9, which was then one of the better laser modules and still affordable. More searching brought be to an offer where I could buy a complete set up (module and frame) for an very reasonable price. Decision was taken quickly.I added the end stops for homing, air assist nozzle and I bought a 40 x 40 honeycomb. I am still working through the possibilities, but so far I have:

cut out 3mm ply
marked anodized aluminum
lasered ceramic (this cuts through the glaze, so it is not the NWT method)

More to come....

The new laser was also the trigger to enlarge the work top and build a proper enclosure for both machines.

Software

I had to abandon the Linux option as the computer slowly died on me. But what can one say after 28 years...
Now I am running Windows again on a small mini computer, which just does the job for me. The key software I use are:

- Universal Gcode Sender (UGS) - for the router on the 3018 ProVer
- Lightburn for any of the lasers
- AnyDesk , which I use to control the workshop computer from the office or even from my phone.
- Cloud drive to share the files between the office and the workshop

In the office on my windows PC, I run Fusion 360 for any design work for the router and Lightburn for any laser work.

Periphery

Mini Cam
To keep an eye on everything, while not in the workshop, I bought a CUSFLYX WIFI CAM . This is a nice little camera. I had a problem with the USB port, but the CUSFLYX support was very responsive. In the end the port was kaput, so they refunded the cost. As there was nothing to lose, I opened the case, soldered a 2 meter USB cable directly into the system, bypassing the battery (as I was't going to use it stand alone anyway) and voilá, it worked.
Extractor fan
When using the laser,it is recommended to have some sort of air extraction or air pump, to avoid too much soot on your work. Some materials could produce harmful gasses when burning it with a laser, which is another reason to have an extractor fan. As we recently replaced the extractor fan from the kitchen (this decision was 100% independent of the lack of an extractor fan in the workshop!) , I repurposed the old one. The build in lights throw now some light on the worktop.
Air pump for Air assist with the laser cutting

This is the new set up. An enclosure, now for both the SainSmart 3018 ProVER and the Sculpfun S9. There is an exhaust fan, air support for both machines, light. The orange screen are special protective filters for these lasers.