Anyone have a 3D printed Laser mount for use with silicone funnel water shield? I have one that works if you raise up the shield, but would like to have one that I don’t have to raise it up, just move the z to the top.
You might consider this. You would only use it temporarily, leave the shield on. It might work.
What is a Silicone Funnel Water Shield?
I printed this thing and works pretty good but it’s not perfect. And after the first cut you have to clean or at least dry off the ends of the lasers.
It’s one of those things that looks like a good idea, but it isn’t. It is supposed to keep water and debris from splashing up onto the rails and lead screw of the Z axis assemby and/or the trigger of a hand torch. In practice, it does a good job of catching on any tip ups that you can’t see because the shield is blocking your view of them.
I can’t imagine what the purpose would be on a machine with no Z axis and a machine torch.
2 Likes
Probably the same as a machine with no Z axis and a hand torch. Only better.
I’d ditch it. Anything that keeps you from seeing a possible crash from a tip up and quickly hitting the spacebar is a no-go in my humble opine. If you want to minimize splash or spark splatter, better to put some temporary angle up on the edges of the table and / or bend some sheet to cover your lead screws / control box.
1 Like
That is not my machine in the pics, that is just a forum pic grab I posted for the reference for the question above. I personally like the silicone funnel and have yet to have a tip up that was an issue. Not saying it could happen but it would have to be a tip up of a piece less that half an inch in size to not see it and those typically fall into the water anyway. If you haven’t tried the funnel, I would suggest trying it, before just blanket saying it’s bad. Most notable benefit I see is it keeps the sparks and water down a lot, but it also keeps all the water rotating around the cut area and I see a lot less warping on the thin stuff. I have a water spray head to help with warping and the funnel basically does away with it for the most part. The benefit I like the most is that you can stand there and watch the cut looking right at the head with no hood or glasses.
Well David why did you not share that earlier!!!
That seems like a very good idea.
I shared it when I originally made it. I also put the files on Thingiverse. It could be improved, but it works well as is.
5 Likes
almost 4 years ago you posted that file
2 Likes
That was so pre-BBP!!!
…Before Bambu Printer. I never imagined I would have a printer so I ignored all that stuff at the time. It was like showing me a space ship: I am never going to get it that thing!