Pre-Release | Manual Rotary Indexer

Is it possible to get a high resolution picture closeup of the inside floor of the GF? Focusing on the area that’s covered by the laser head. I’m interested in what components aside from the case gusset rail/rib are in there. It might be possible to void your warranty and open up the bottom to accommodate items taller than current the 2" limit. Nevermind the warranty, laser radiation, smoke, fumes etc (former sheetmetal 4.4kw CO2 CNC laser operator).

Assuming that there’d be a compromise in the structural integrity of the enclosure it is certainly possible to design a gusset/fixturing plate that would attach to the bottom of the printer to stiffen and regain the strength of the original enclosure. This would be so much easier if I had hands on access to one. Depending on the design it could possibly simply rivet to the underside of the existing GF floor plate, being slim enough to retain the original feet, or designed to raise the whole printer up and use feet integrated into the stiffening plate.

Depending on the quantity volume a group buy purchase could be arranged to leverage volume buying to reduce overall cost. I know that Davis Tool has turnkey idea to shipping coverage. eg: send them the STL files, and how you want it finished, and they’ll laser it, deburr, grain it if desired, perform any press brake ops, install hardware and fasteners (pem-serts etc), prep, powder coat, package, and ship the items. (I used to work there)

I also know of two other shops in the Portland, OR metro area that have similar capabilities (friends/coworkers work there now).

http://www.flatlinefabrication.com & http://profilelaser.com

5 Likes

Will this picture help?

The honeycomb with door down:

Honeycomb from angle:

Close-up of deck to the right rail:

Close-up of deck to left rail:

Reflection laser head on deck:

13 Likes

Very interesting. With a bit of photo enhancement I can see the toothed side of the belt passes over non-toothed idler pulleys.

That is likely the cause of the cross hatching @Jules gets with her engraving settings. I solved this on my Mendel90 3D printer design by putting a half twist in the belt so that the flat side runs over the flat idler pulley and the toothed side over the toothed drive pulley. On my next design I will use toothed idler pulleys with integral bearings that have become readily available now.

19 Likes

You might have noticed that the download version of the image had that detail.

Discourse tends to look at your screen size and browser window to display pictures. It will allow single post pictures to be displayed at full resolution (by clicking on it a second time after it displays the picture to match your browser window).

Unfortunately, if there are multiple pictures, the second click then takes you to the next picture.

It is nice to be able to download the actual picture and view it locally. I use a Windows 950 XL phone with a 20 Meg camera to get the best details I can. Then I upload to the forum so people can get as much detail as possible.

1 Like

Yes I downloaded it, cropped it and increased the brightness to be sure there were no teeth in the black plastic.

I need to know the size of the squares in @Jules’ test to work of if the ripples are related to belt pitch or stepper motor poles. Here is her picture with similar treatment.

8 Likes

This helps a great deal. I was able to get a screenshot from the Pre-Release Glowforge: delivery, unboxing, setup, first prints! video, and compare it against your images.

Looks like it would require a few steps.

  • Preparing the GF for “Transport” eg, reinstalling the foam items that hold the tube and everything in place
  • Checking if you can turn the GF upside down… (would make modification much easier if we can invert it).
  • Removal of the grounding strap screw, and other mounting screws for the brace
  • Appropriate spark/dremel abrasive disc debris mitigation (carefully enclosing and covering the insides to prevent debris/grit/dust getting anywhere we don’t want it). Taping the dry side of a damp cotton cloth/towel etc.
  • Saran wrap will work too, be careful to ground yourself.
  • Use a shroud, and perhaps additional vacuum suction to exhaust grit as you cut the floor out (leaving enough lip around the edges to support the honeycomb crumb tray)
  • Test mount Brace
  • Mark edges/Cut Lines
  • Cut Brace

Wave Magic Wand

  • Install Stiffening Plate
  • SUCCESS

I will admit at this point, I’m thinking an entire stand solution would be best. eg Very similar to additional “Trays” on large office laserjets or similar to the stand below (Bretford Printer Stand)

The complete “stand” would allow for a set height (eg: 10" of additional height) of course you’re going to lose a few inches to the stepper motor, idler/casters, rollers & , and also eliminate a lot of other problems (laser radiation leakage, venting fumes/smoke, fully enclosed and grounded work area). It could also incorporate accommodations for internally (within the enclosed/sealed laser burn area) mounting the rotary indexer of your flavor, eg: aluminum T-slot, or enough mounting points, kind of like a machinst / welding fixture table.

Again, the workpiece size constraints would be the limited by the opening created in the floor of the GF, AND being able to get the work surface within the range of focus +/- any in-the-wild (user discovered) range. (eg: burning beyond a normally acceptable focal length for creative purposes. etc)

8 Likes

Wow, I was hoping someone would tackle this task! Well done!

A couple notes here:

  • The case of the glowforge is very important in keeping it square and rigid. If the bottom section is removed you will need to reinforce the opening quite well to keep that rigidity. Otherwise you will have issues with the lid shutting correctly and the lid camera being where it needs to be.
  • That metal track running underneath carries the cooling and electrical from one side to the other.
  • you need adequate clearance for the air intake under the print button area.
8 Likes

This guy built one that the cutter pushes to rotate… I would love to see GF make an accessory like this…

28 Likes

Yes!

Seems way more simple and logical than a complex Z axis motor system some use.

1 Like

That’s ingenious.

1 Like

Wowwy-zowwy! I’m completely fine with manual indexing, just like on my lathe. Thank you!

1 Like

I wish they had put in a Bluetooth board. That would have been a great way to pair devices and accessories. Bluetooth blast gates, rotary indexers, Arduinos, pick and place devices, etc.

Maybe they could put out an upgraded print head.

5 Likes

Who’s to say there isn’t a bluetooth chip in there that’s just not enabled? There’s a speaker that as far as I know hasn’t made any sounds yet…

6 Likes

I know. I got a little excited today thinking about it.
Giggle :slight_smile:

The motherboard/controller has what looks to be 2 (two) USB ports, but it is very difficult to see them.

4 Likes

This is same principal I used in the way mine works. Mine is obviously more customized to fit the gf though =)

3 Likes

Happy cake day @mad_macs !!!

1 Like

There isn’t one.

2 Likes