What’s the best method for an air assist upgrade? I’ve gone back and read all posts here regarding air assist for the the past year but I’ve just confused myself.
I see that people either use 1. 3d print air assist, 2. use light objects nozzle (requires new lense or gasket) 3. use the Saite kit on ebay.
Some people also use the wire track or self-retracting tubing (i see some people have issues with the track so maybe i’ll just use the self-retracting tubing).
Finally is it better to use an air compressor or air pump or what and how big? I don’t have an existing source of air.
I currently use an airbrush compressor and the Light Objects air assist nozzle on my K40, but shop air and a 3d printed nozzle on my Redsail LE400. I will be replacing the 3d printed with the Light object setup for the redsail, and will be switching the K40 to a shop air source.
Personally i went with the Light Objects air assist head, i still use the original lens that came with the K40 (mainly because the new lens i ordered from LO was utter trash for some reason) I just lined up up over the hole and closed it up and it has stayed there without issue.
I use a cheap high flow aquarium air pump from Ebay the airflow and i must say I’m very happy for how much it cost me. It eliminated all flaming / flaring and about 90% of the charring.
As for the lens from LO, it was the correct lens that i was advised to get to fit the LO air assist head but it didn’t work at all well, couldn’t cut anything with it and the engrave line was fat, tried it both ways just incase it was made wrong but it made no difference, then after a full power test it just shattered, so I’m guessing it was faulty.
@1981therealfury sounds like it was a different focal length. I think the supplied one is about 50mm but LO also do one that is about 38mm (from memory). If you had the different one your piece would need to be 12mm closer or you will get exactly the results you noticed.
@Simon_Cook
I did a ramp test as soon as i started experiencing issues, the lens didn’t focus tightly anywhere along the axis but did have a more focused area in the middle of the ramp, so I’m not sure it was a focal length issue. The one i ordered from LO was an F50.8mm.
Yea, i agree, these K40’s come in lots of different configurations and design iterations, Almost every one i see is different in some way to mine haha.