I think I have finally found as ideal a design for laser guides for the Crossfire Pro as I need. I’ve looked at a number of different scenarios from forum posts and YouTube videos and come up with this blended solution. My prior guides were poorly located but still did OK…this new scheme is much better. The visibility is great until you get within one half inch of the material, and there is no splashing on the lasers.
Parts:
One - Guide plate cut on Crossfire Pro from 1/8” aluminum or 14ga steel (I can attach the file if desired)
Two - 12mm “line” laser guides – Amazon…your choice of price ranges
Two - FreeMascot 360 Degree Stand (don’t use the mounting plate) - Amazon
Four - 3.5mm short screws (typically found in most computer mounts and boards)
Four - #12-28x3/4 bolts (any head type)
Cut the guide plate and paint or finish as desired (no lead in/out)
Drill the two 1/4 inch holes for the 360 degree stands bolts (pilot holes are already cut)
Peel the labels off the lasers (the fit was that tight in the stands)
Bolt the guide plate to the four screw holes in the top Z-axis motor
Mount lasers in stand holder
Replace the wing nuts on the stand clamps with the 12-28 bolts (to get better grip)
Bolt stand holders to guide plate is seen in the pictures here
Tighten all bolts after rough alignment
Lower torch to ¼” from test metal and manual fire torch on and off quickly.
Raise torch and carefully move the lasers to the center of the cut hole
Loved this project, unfortunately had a non-machine X45 torch. So I combined an older project that kept the torch from rotating during movement with laser mounts.
I have power going to a inexpensive disconnect which feeds to a double outlet. Both the Langmuir box and a power supply for the lasers are connected to this double outlet. So, when I turn on the disconnect (which is right up front), the computer box turns on and the lasers light up. It’s nice because you can instantly see when the unit is under power.
could you link a usable power supply for the lasers? Im ordering the lasers and mounts now but dont have any clue on the type of power box ill need for them
They are just 5v powered and I cut the plug end off an old 5v phone charger transformer and used this for power. You do need to have the polarity right.
The lasers I have state that the longest life will be achieved sourcing 3.2V to them but since the lifespan will be thousands of hours at 5V it isn’t a big deal.
I actually wound up buying a pre-made kit of a laser and a mount that comes with a USB adapter and a wall plug, just gonna join the USB cables and run it to my computer to power them easy
in case anyones wondering, the 4 screws that mine needed to mount the bracket to the Z were m3 x 6, my lasers will be here saturday so this weekend i should get it setup finally
