K40 laser work area side brackets - without spring

thingiverse

The K40 lasers feature a clamp that secures work pieces in place while lasering. The initial setup dictates that the focal point of the laser should be positioned at the top surface of the rim surrounding this clamp mechanism. The clamp can accommodate materials measuring approximately 3.5 x 8 inches. However, many suppliers market wood in 4"x24" sizes, making it feasible to use the 4-inch wide pieces cut to length by taking advantage of the area behind the clamp. My design draws inspiration from several others who employ brackets that maintain a uniform top surface level for work pieces regardless of their thickness. In these cases, this level corresponds to the top of the rim pushed on by the brackets. One illustration showcases scraps of 1/8th inch basswood at the ends to secure the steel bar in place. This allows the placement of a 1/8th inch thick work piece anywhere along the bars. The holes drilled for receiving 16D nails may eventually be replaced with bolt/nut combinations, enabling precise adjustments and lowering of the metal cross pieces. Nails tend to creep upwards, but this issue is resolved by filing down the burrs near the head and securing them with tape. The metal featured in the pictures consists of 1"x1" angle steel, which maintains straightness and allows the use of magnets to hold thin materials. Unfortunately, the steel's heaviness compared to aluminum necessitates the utilization of stronger springs. The system can accommodate work pieces up to approximately 3/4 inch thick. Note that due to narrow tolerances, one end of the bars, springs, and nails must be assembled after the brackets have been positioned. Then, they can be slid front to back as needed to establish the desired distance between the bars. Printed with a Davinci 1.0 Pro using PETG default settings and 100% infill.