Converting Laser Scan Gap to DPI

Chinese lasers tend to use a term called "Scan Gap". Scan Gap is how far the laser moves on the Y axis for each pass of the laser. Scan Gap is where you enter your DPI for engraving. DPI is in inches and Scan Gap is in Metric, so you do some maths.

DPI/25.4 = dpmm (Dots per millimetre)
1/dpmm = Scan Gap

Eg.
300/25.4 = 11.811 dpmm
1/11.811 = a scan gap of 0.0846

Some Converted for ease of use
1200 = 0.02116
800 = 0.03175
600 = 0.04233
500 = 0.05080
400 = 0.06350
300 = 0.0846
200 = 0.12700
150 = 0.1693
100 = 0.2540

My Laser Engraver Arrived

My Laser Engraver has Arrived finally after so long waiting. came on the 22nd ordered back in November 13th 2007

Its a big machine of 44" x 37" x 52" or so in external size. It was well packaged in its crate. the delivery guy was a total waster who did not bring the machine to my house but dropped it at end of road in tonnes of rain.

We got it to the main shed to storage for the night with the help of a neighbour's tractor and front bale lifter. Blasted rain we were soaked by the time it was got to the shed. Had to wrap the thing in plastic to make it cat proof. Plastic used was for protecting furniture while painting, its also the thinnest plastic I have seen in my life.

Laser then spent a day in the shed as the infernal Irish rain was still coming down nonstop. Floods all over the place.

Third day the 24th the rain stopped! finally I could get my Machine out of the crate and into its new home. A small ugly portacabin but functional. Keeps the noise away as well. My brother helped me get the cabin in shape or rather out of shape. As to get the laser in we had to cut the cabin below the window to the ground, remove 4 bolts holding the steel and remove the windows itself. Then we removed the wooden sheet from the interior of the wall which was firmly glued to the insulation foam. Then that section was swung out like a big door. The laser was moved from the shed to the cabin by using the crate walls as a sort of rolling road. We tied a rope to the machine legs and I pushed. A ramp was created with bricks and crate sides and the laser was shoved into the cabin. At which point it was obvious cabin was small and laser was big!

I am currently getting it to work and trying to find some basic stuff in this annoying country. I need a 6 inch duct pipe as the machine has a 6 inch connection. This is annoying as the Manual shows a 4 inch connection from the Outside back of the machine while mine has a 6 inch connection Inside the machine. I need a reducer and the idiot in the hardware shop had no idea what I wanted. got a short length of 4" vent pipe and it turned out to be a ripoff its cheap and crap quality need to find one of heavier construction and the reducer.

Distilled water was also annoying to find another rip off but this is Ireland and I work with what I can get. I needed 10L and by right 15L for the cooler machine that cools the laser tube. I could only could get 10L and that with being charged twice as much for the second container as the first and then finding the expiry was gone out bt a few years hen I got home.

Blasted Chinese plugs I have three to replace with proper plugs probably get some kettle leads some place as they will do fine.

I need acetone, isopropyl alcohol, cotton swabs, lint free lens tissue/cloth and powder free gloves as I have to clean the optics from all the crap dust and bits of foam in the machine. Opened the focus assembly and the amount of junk in the air cone was unreal lens of course has crap on it as well and I found a fingerprint on one of the mirrors.

Laser Blog more info, further machine details and projects I will be doing.

LG900 Laser engraver I Want to Get

The Laser engraver I am thinking of getting, in the next few months. A LG900 from Wklaser, who seem to have a decent reputation. Only thing is the damm size of it. 54" x 40" x 42" which is massive. It relies on old style water-cooled Glass CO2 tubes. They only last 1,000-2,000 hrs but are cheap at $250 minus post and vat. The newer RF metal tubs are air cooled, a lot smaller and LOT more expensive. One of the RF tubes would cost more than the complete Chinese laser + complete set of spares + CIF to door + VAT. but last 10 times as long, or so they claim.

Importing Laser from China for 20 May 2007

I am thinking of setting up a sign making business and as part of this I am looking to get a Laser Engraver/cutter from China as they are way cheaper that those in Europe, 10 times as much in some lasers case's. I unfortunately know very little of importing stuff from china especially from companies that give prices as FOB and payment as TT. I would like help in this, mainly in who I have to talk to to get the Laser here, Freight Forwarders and Custom Brokers are some I understand I need. The Laser is in China and I am looking to bring it into the West of Ireland, someone to handle all the paperwork or most of it is what I need the most. Anyone who can help give a IM or email please. If you do this all the better and if you sell laser engravers or cutters 40-60W give me a message as well with a quote/pricelist as always interested in more information.
Anyone able to help me??
GONE OFF IMPORT DUE TO BEING A PAIN IN THE WALLET ON THIS SIDE