Sh1t happens QUICKLY & fire extinguishers...

[wynn]

Just had a customer complaint a R10k job printed on a too thin board. I am going to see them to see what I can salvage
Thanks for starting this Adrian!

Would it be possible to sandwich another board behind the thin one to bulk it up?

[IanF]

Good news I went to the customer and asked what they wanted me to do, and to my surprise they just said next time run it on thicker board. I was gobsmacked.

[adrianh]

@Ian

Cool.

Here is a bright idea for you. I always found it very hard to see exactly what the laser is up to because the area around the nozzle is quite dark. I used to look at it using a torch.

This is my solution: I bought one of those cheap USB lights, stripped the USB plug off, fitted a bright led. I then clamped the fixture onto the laser head and wired the led into the main power supply. The thing is an absolute Godsend. I can clearly see what its up to now!

[IanF]

@Ian

Cool.

Here is a bright idea for you. I always found it very hard to see exactly what the laser is up to because the area around the nozzle is quite dark. I used to look at it using a torch.

This is my solution: I bought one of those cheap USB lights, stripped the USB plug off, fitted a bright led. I then clamped the fixture onto the laser head and wired the led into the main power supply. The thing is an absolute Godsend. I can clearly see what its up to now!

Here is our laser with a cheap fluorescent light

The mesh at the exhaust outlet saves us cleaning the blower every month now it is only every 6 months. The blower is 2 metres above ground outside.

[Citizen X]

Adrian, terribly sorry to hear of your laser problem and resultant fire. Fortunately your staff are well trained, they knew exactly what to do in the case of an emergency..

[adrianh]

I've got the machine running again. I couldn't find a new belt anywhere so I ended up splicing two belts together. Half of the damaged belt and a spare short one. I replaced the air tube as well.

Although its a nasty incident it does bring many good lessons.

1. Always have a fire extinguisher at hand.
2. Never leave a machine to its own devices.
3. It forced me to clean up because all the junk lying around is a fire hazard.
4. Never block the laser's airflow.

I actually consider myself lucky because I was able to learn these lesson without too much serious damage, many people don't have that opportunity.


...and of course, $h1t just happens and the trick is just to learn from it.