Michael Klements | Add A Radial Fan Air Assist System To A K40 Laser Cutter @MichaelKlements | Uploaded July 2020 | Updated October 2024, 5 hours ago.
I've seen quite a few people have added an air assist system to their K40 laser cutters. There are a number of reasons given, the most common being improved engraving quality and better cutting performance. There are two commonly used low-cost options, the first is to use an aquarium compressor and the other is to use a radial fan. I tried out the radial fan option as the fans are significantly cheaper than the aquarium air pumps. I've put a comparison between two engravings and cuts with and without the air assist on at the end of the video.
Make sure that you turn off and unplug your K40 laser cutter before working on it and allow the machine to stand for 10 minutes before working on it. While this addition is made to the low voltage DC side of the supply, there is always a risk in working in the open electrical compartment with the power still on.
Here's a step by step written guide along with the laser cutting files for the three different head brackets - the-diy-life.com/how-to-add-a-radial-fan-air-assist-system-to-a-k40-laser-cutter
Guide to the red dot laser pointer modification - the-diy-life.com/how-to-add-a-red-dot-pointer-to-a-k40-laser-cutter
Parts List and Purchase Links:
24V Radial Fan - amzn.to/3iwrkn7
7mm Drag Chain - amzn.to/2W5AZHN
Latching Metal Push Button - amzn.to/2D4eg83
2 M3 x 15mm Hex Head Screws & Nuts - amzn.to/2AtFG5W
M4 x 25mm Hex Head Screw & Two Nuts - amzn.to/2AtFG5W
2 M4 x 15mm Hex Head Screws & Nuts - amzn.to/2AtFG5W
22AWG / 1.6mm Electrical Wire
K40 Laser Cutter - amzn.to/3eSPciW
If you’ve got any suggestions for K40 modifications, DIY projects or tutorials, let me know in the comments section below.
I've seen quite a few people have added an air assist system to their K40 laser cutters. There are a number of reasons given, the most common being improved engraving quality and better cutting performance. There are two commonly used low-cost options, the first is to use an aquarium compressor and the other is to use a radial fan. I tried out the radial fan option as the fans are significantly cheaper than the aquarium air pumps. I've put a comparison between two engravings and cuts with and without the air assist on at the end of the video.
Make sure that you turn off and unplug your K40 laser cutter before working on it and allow the machine to stand for 10 minutes before working on it. While this addition is made to the low voltage DC side of the supply, there is always a risk in working in the open electrical compartment with the power still on.
Here's a step by step written guide along with the laser cutting files for the three different head brackets - the-diy-life.com/how-to-add-a-radial-fan-air-assist-system-to-a-k40-laser-cutter
Guide to the red dot laser pointer modification - the-diy-life.com/how-to-add-a-red-dot-pointer-to-a-k40-laser-cutter
Parts List and Purchase Links:
24V Radial Fan - amzn.to/3iwrkn7
7mm Drag Chain - amzn.to/2W5AZHN
Latching Metal Push Button - amzn.to/2D4eg83
2 M3 x 15mm Hex Head Screws & Nuts - amzn.to/2AtFG5W
M4 x 25mm Hex Head Screw & Two Nuts - amzn.to/2AtFG5W
2 M4 x 15mm Hex Head Screws & Nuts - amzn.to/2AtFG5W
22AWG / 1.6mm Electrical Wire
K40 Laser Cutter - amzn.to/3eSPciW
If you’ve got any suggestions for K40 modifications, DIY projects or tutorials, let me know in the comments section below.
