Created this commissioned retirement piece with the new EX control software. The AVID support was awesome as Centroid is not Mach4 (which I was brought up on). The concept of measured tools format provided great accuracy when tool changing between the vbits, endmills and laser work. The milling and laser toolpaths are much smoother, especially the laser ones. I will be ready for AVIDs ATC when it hits the street.
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Very nice project. That maple has some awesome grain too!
Thanks Jim:
I was looking through your laser videos as I remember something about you recommending a specific model OPT for fine laser engraving but can’t find it.
With the current Opt lineup, there are two lasers I recomend (these are the two that I have kept as well).
The XT50 is a 6W laser with a 0.002" beam diameter (worst case), and it is very symmetric. So you can do engravings well over 500 dpi in some cases (because the spot size can be much lower than the max depending on material, speed, and power). It will also cut wood up to 0.125" at around 7ipm. Really super fine cut. It also has enough power to engrave steel, SS, and Titanium.
Then the XT8 is the latest big one and is great for fast cutting, and engraving up to about maybe 170 dpi or so. This one is better for engraving larger items, especially for vector work because you can fill and deep etch much faster.
Thanks I will have to get an xt50.
right on! great photos
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