DC-K40III Laser cut conversion

[raphael150]

Hello Folks,
My name is Raphael, and I'm from Brazil.
I recently bought that cheap chinese laser machine just to cut balsa wood to build my own model airplanes. I do not intend to engrave anything.
The machine works with that moshidraw software, but everyone knows it is a nightmare to work with it.
I also bought a 3 axis TB6560 board controller.
I did a research about these machines and found out lots of people converting it to a professional state-of-art machines, using new board controllers, but these people do not show how to make the conversion step-by-step.
Can someone for God just make a simple converting tutorial, something like "how to install a TB6560 controller board" in these machines to cut using Corel Draw, or AutoCAD? Something easy to "ready-and-do", showing where to plug the wires and which parts should be replaced. My knolege about electronics is not so good, but I'm sure that if someone make this tutorial lots of people like me would easily convert their machines.
Like I've said, I don't want to build a professional machine, just want to make it cut wood. I don't want it to cut fast, I just want to make it cut, doesn't matter the time, so I don't see the need of changing the stepper motors. I don't want to cut stone, or steel, I just want to cut thin wood, so I don't need a powerfull laser. I don't want a professional machine, just want to conect it to Corel Draw and AutoCAD and cut model airplanes ribs and formers.
Can someone help with it?
Thank you very much!
Raphael

[Tweakie]

Raphael,

It is not difficult to do but it is quite involved and will take some time for you to understand everything if you have not done anything like this before.
The TB6560 board is driven from a parallel port so your controlling PC must have an LPT parallel port. The TB6560 requires Step and Direction signal inputs so you would use software such a Mach3 to control the laser (not sure if Corel has a Mach post processor but most CAM stuff does). To work with the TB6560 the stepper motors within the laser must be capable of operating in the Bipolar mode (have 4 or 6 or 8 wires - not 5 wires).
It might help if you take a look at my website where I have a few details about using Mach3 with a laser. Tweakie.CNC

How serious are you about doing this ??

Tweakie.

[raphael150]

Hello Tweakie,
First of all; thank you for your help.
Second, congratulations; your skills are very good with electronics and mechanics.
I’m very serious about it. My unique and exclusive task with this machine is cutting soft balsa and ply: don’t want to engrave anything.
I’ve been reading a lot about laser machines and conversions (including your website), since I’ve bought my cheap Chinese K40III , and found out a lot of information about it. In fact, I kind of know the converting steps (I have some small skills with electronics, nothing comparing to yours…), but I have some doubts, like: can I use the entire machine’s original stuff, like laser’s power source, 24v board and motor’s power source?
I realize that the optical limit sensors have to be changed (so that Moshi board, needless to say it…). My motors have 4 wires, so it is bipolar, right? And it is good for use with TB6560.
I think my machine hardware is good to use, but I’m not sure because I see lots of converting machines with a new power source. I took a shot of my machine hardware (see below).
Another doubt: on lightobject.info I see lots of conversions using a DSP controller board and a separate stepper motor controller for each motor; do I have to use a stepper motor controller? Or my TB6560 board (see picture below) have a motor controller?
My PC has a parallel port (old printer port), and I already have mach3 installed.
If you help me I would be very thankful.
Regards
Raphael

[raphael150]

Tweakie,
Another doubt: where do I conect the laser power control on this TB6560? On Spindle port?
Thank you
Raphael

[Tweakie]

Hi Raphael,

Your existing power supply units will be just fine.

Take a look at Bart's website buildlog.net - CNC Laser Buildlogs to see how he has tackled laser control via the DSP / Light Objects approach. Also consider Henry's
Full Spectrum Eng Control boards to get a fuller picture of all the options available to you before you proceed in one direction.

If using Mach3, yes you can use the spindle control and PWM output to control the laser power for vector work. (I have gone back to using manual power control now as this fits better with switching between vector and raster work).

Tweakie.

[raphael150]

Hi Tweakie,
Thank you for your tips.
If you see someone sucesfully using that TB6560 board on a laser machine please tell me the website.
Regards
Raphael