Atomstack A5 M40

This is the laser engraver that I purchased in December of 2022. I use it to cut out thin wood and acrylic sheet materials for my projects. My original need for the laser was to use it in creating brass etched metal label tags. This process cuts the design into a layer of lacquer paint which is then acid etched into the brass or in my case electro etched. BIG TIP, IT HAS TO BE LACQUER PAINT.

Air Assist

I had an old oxygen concentrator that I repurposed the compressor to provide air to the laser. Because it produces a high volume and significant pressure, I added a bypass through a muffler (also from the concentrator) to adjust the flow. I chose to inject the air with a section of small diameter stainless steel tubing. This required drilling a hole in the aluminum case of the laser module. I tried to just follow the outside edge of the laser nozzle and it works perfect! Nerve racking to be sure messing with a brand new diode module but not difficult. The hole needs to be made into a steep angle which I did mostly with a small round needle file. I drilled through a small piece of acrylic to make the brace keeping the tube in position and secured it to the case with some red RTV. IMHO for the record I feel that all laser modules should have air assist built into the design. It becomes the first thing the new owner is going to need and makes the engraver so much better to use!

The very first etching run

One of the first 3mm plywood cuts with air

Some detail notes:

Spot size fairly square at 0.08mm (advertised)

Use interval of 0.1mm
Max speed is 10,000 mm/min ?
Recommended open space speed not sure but 3,000 mm/min seems safe.