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Thread: How to laser areas with paths

  1. #21
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    Default Re: How to laser areas with paths

    Well that ($7=25) changed the noise to barely hearable but it's still there. Can you explain me, why it makes this noise even if it's not in movement? The info is telling me it is the step idle delay.
    The change also slowed it down to a speed that makes me want to throw away the laser again ;-) $7=255 is of course way better. Will it damage the stepper motor?
    The new qr code you sent me: The laser needs almost 4 times als long as with the very first one and almost cuts through th 3mm balsa wood I use.
    Perhaps you explain to me the parameters I can and should modifiy and what consequences they have and I try around a little.
    As far as I can see I will urgently need the full version of your two programs PicEngrave Pro and PicSender. Do you accept paypal?



  2. #22
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    Default Re: How to laser areas with paths

    That is why I stated it's hard for me to generate gcodes here and then you test there. We do not except PayPal, but our distributor Darky Labs does. They sell a nice laser diode engraver also that will engrave with varied intensity. More expensive then what you purchased, but allot better system.

    https://darklylabs.com/
    Our software.
    https://darklylabs.com/product-category/software/

    The $7 setting is for how strong the driver holds the stepper motor in place when idle. As long as the stepper and driver does not get too hot, a $7=255 setting is fine. That is what we set it at on our Shapeoko 2 with grbl 9g flashed to an Arduino UNO & the gshield V5 stepper driver. It has nema 17 steppers.

    Last edited by jeffery926; 11-24-2015 at 03:27 PM.
    Pic Engraving Software Products
    https://www.picengrave.com


  3. #23
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    Default Re: How to laser areas with paths

    Bought it :-)
    And almost there. Cloud you give me a last guess what settings I have to modify to close the gaps between the lines (see pic)?
    Photo-2015-11-25-20-02-46_FullSizeRender.jpg



  4. #24
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    Default Re: How to laser areas with paths

    The stepover is controlled with the Pixel Resolution setting. By default it's set by .01 inch or .254mm and will engrave the same size as your image. If you decrease the stepover to eliminate the gaps, then you need to resize the image in the editor.

    Open the image in the editor. Select Auto in the Adjust Image Size and then click on the box for Pixel Resolution (size). A window will open then type in your Pixel Resolution (stepover) and select OK. You will notice it will show the width and height Engraving size. To change the size, there is two boxes that shows the pixel size for width and height. They both have up & down arrows. Click on up if you want it larger and down if you want it smaller. Watch the Engraving size changing and adjust to the size you want. Don't worry about what the image is doing on the screen until your finished sizing it. Then click on the image and it will fit back on the screen again. Adjust the image and sharpness to what looks good for you and then save it to another file name so the original does not change.

    Pic Engraving Software Products
    https://www.picengrave.com


  5. #25
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    Default Re: How to laser areas with paths

    I totally got it now! Found the perfect settings to get the best results.Thanks again so much for all your help!
    I totally love your lasers. Especially the possibility to "print" greyscale. As soon as I earned enough money with my laserwork, I will buy the Emblaser.

    Until then perhaps I can reactivate my first-try-laser. It's this one: NEJE Fancy DK_8 Laser Box / Laser Engraving Machine / Laser Printer for DIY Cellphone Case - Free Shipping - DealExtreme
    I thought I could speed it up a little with the help of your software and use it mobile/on the go. But it uses grbl 0.8 something and obviously won't work with pic sender. It tells me the connection is not possible.
    Do you have an idea how I can get it to work?
    Maybe updating grbl will solve the problem? If yes - I haven't got the slightest glue of how to update the grbl version...



  6. #26
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    Default Re: How to laser areas with paths

    I believe grbl 8 uses a 9600 baud rate, so try changing to it before connecting to the com port.

    You need to be careful updating to another grbl as it may be set to a different pinout for the arduino board.

    Pic Engraving Software Products
    https://www.picengrave.com


  7. #27
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    Default Re: How to laser areas with paths

    I have already tried changing the baud rate and it's per default set to 9600.
    I can connect via "grbl controller" at 9600 baud. That works, but grbl controller - as you said before - is quite crappy. Especially with this laser.
    So there is no other chance getting it to work with pic sender you say?



  8. #28
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    Default Re: How to laser areas with paths

    I have a LaserMode grbl 8 hex here that connects at a 115200 baud rate that I know works with PicSender. It has pin 12 for switching on/off with M03/M05 commands. It's also setup with Pin 11 for PWM varied intensity laser control using Z0-Z255 commands.

    Give me a little bit to find standard grbl 8 hex to test with PicSender and try to find the problem your having.

    Pic Engraving Software Products
    https://www.picengrave.com


  9. #29
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    Default Re: How to laser areas with paths

    I just flashed grbl 8c from here:

    https://github.com/grbl/grbl

    It connects at 9600 baud rate without any issues with PicSender here. I even jogged our Shapeoko 2 around using it, so it's something at your end. Does it come up with any messages when it does not connect?.

    Pic Engraving Software Products
    https://www.picengrave.com


  10. #30
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    Default Re: How to laser areas with paths

    That gives me hope.
    But when trying to connect via PicSender it says "GRBL not found. Check Com Port Settings And USB Connection"
    Grbl Controller 3.6.1 connects immediately...



  11. #31
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    Default Re: How to laser areas with paths

    Ok, now this is a different machine then the other one, so the Com port # may be different. Did you change the Com port # in PicSender for it?

    Pic Engraving Software Products
    https://www.picengrave.com


  12. #32
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    Default Re: How to laser areas with paths

    I used the same com port that worked when connecting via grbl controller. I also checked back in the system settings. I definitely chose the right com port.
    I tried on a Win7 PC and another machine with win 10. Same result :-(



  13. #33
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    Default Re: How to laser areas with paths

    This is odd and not sure why there is a connection problem. Try this. Unplug the USB cable from your PC to the board, then reconnect it and let your PC find it again, then open PicSender and try to connect again.

    If that does not work, then the only thing I can think of, PicSender will not communicate with that particular serial communication chip on the board. There is no telling which one they use because most likely it's a counterfeit/knockoff Arduino Nano board and only made compatible with the Open Source streamer they recommend.

    Pic Engraving Software Products
    https://www.picengrave.com


  14. #34
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    Default Re: How to laser areas with paths

    That didn't work but at least I can tell you that they use the "Prolific USB-to-Serial Comm Port" driver.
    And I took a look at the Arduino board. The chip says Atmel Mega 328P AU 1503. And there are two further boards by schmalzhaus.com (easydriver) thar seem to be responsible for the stepper motors.
    Does this tell you something?



  15. #35
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    Default Re: How to laser areas with paths

    The Atmel Mega 328P chip is where grbl is flashed and does all the work to control the stepper drivers & Laser from gcode commands. The serial communication is done by a separate chip on the board somewhere.

    We are researching this.

    Pic Engraving Software Products
    https://www.picengrave.com


  16. #36
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    Default Re: How to laser areas with paths

    I just wanted to come back to you and ask, if you were able to figure out something about the compatibility of this special laser?
    Furthermore it would be interesting to me if I was able to laser greyscale images with the help of your software? Do you know I my laser might be able to do this - and if yes, what will I have to set in your software to do so?
    Many thanks in advance again!



  17. #37
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    Default Re: How to laser areas with paths

    Are you running the latest version of PicSender?

    www.picengrave.com - PicSender

    Pic Engraving Software Products
    https://www.picengrave.com


  18. #38
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    Default Re: How to laser areas with paths

    It says: v.2.4.4 build 264. Seems new.



  19. #39
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    Default Re: How to laser areas with paths

    V2.2.4 is the latest. This update only addressed some clone serial communication chip issues, but evidently not all.

    Pic Engraving Software Products
    https://www.picengrave.com


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