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Step 8Assemble the Laser Parts
Study the schematic wiring diagram carefully. Print it out if you can. Download it and expand it if you wish.
Slip the small heat sink over the voltage regulator (see photo). You'll have to pry it open a little with your fingers. Don't bend it too far or it won't be snug on the regulator, required for good heat transfer. The two will snap into place. You could still damage it if you overheat it, but now it's less likely.
Unscrew the Lens Assembly
Carefully peel off the 'Danger/Laser' label on the AixiZ lens/laser assembly you got from eBay and stick it on your pantograph to alert others that this is not a toy. Or, stick it to a piece of plastic food wrap and then you can tape it anywhere, or even copy it with your new Laser Cutter / Engraver.
Unscrew the tube with two pairs of pliers (borrowed from the landlord, $0).
Unscrew and remove the black lens housing and the spring inside.
You should now have a long tube sitting on the table, a lens and a spring in one hand, and a short tube with a tiny laser in it. Tear the wires, tiny PC board and white silicone off the back of the short tube. You'll see the back of the tiny laser. Set the tube up on its end with the laser on the bottom, sitting on the slightly open jaws of the pliers. The tiny laser was press-fit into the tube. Use a small hammer and a nail set (or a rock and a nail -- I told you there weren't any special tools) to gently pop it back out. It won't take much force, but this tiny laser is not going to be used on any other project.
You'll put your new laser (scavenged from a DVD burner) in this hole and secure it with epoxy or with a hot-melt glue gun. It must be centered in the hole. Just look down the tube to see it -- a hands-free magnifying glass comes in handy here.
Slip the small heat sink over the voltage regulator (see photo). You'll have to pry it open a little with your fingers. Don't bend it too far or it won't be snug on the regulator, required for good heat transfer. The two will snap into place. You could still damage it if you overheat it, but now it's less likely.
Unscrew the Lens Assembly
Carefully peel off the 'Danger/Laser' label on the AixiZ lens/laser assembly you got from eBay and stick it on your pantograph to alert others that this is not a toy. Or, stick it to a piece of plastic food wrap and then you can tape it anywhere, or even copy it with your new Laser Cutter / Engraver.
Unscrew the tube with two pairs of pliers (borrowed from the landlord, $0).
Unscrew and remove the black lens housing and the spring inside.
You should now have a long tube sitting on the table, a lens and a spring in one hand, and a short tube with a tiny laser in it. Tear the wires, tiny PC board and white silicone off the back of the short tube. You'll see the back of the tiny laser. Set the tube up on its end with the laser on the bottom, sitting on the slightly open jaws of the pliers. The tiny laser was press-fit into the tube. Use a small hammer and a nail set (or a rock and a nail -- I told you there weren't any special tools) to gently pop it back out. It won't take much force, but this tiny laser is not going to be used on any other project.
You'll put your new laser (scavenged from a DVD burner) in this hole and secure it with epoxy or with a hot-melt glue gun. It must be centered in the hole. Just look down the tube to see it -- a hands-free magnifying glass comes in handy here.
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Is this going to be able to cut stainless steel? Aluminum? At least acrylic and plastic sheet?