Low cost laser Engraver

[dixonjk]

I am thinking of buying a few laser engravers so as I can get the lowest price on one for myself. I do not want to spend $10,000 on one, which is the lowest I have seen so far. Please let me know if anyone has an intrest in buying one aswell. I posted an ad in the classified section with pictures. I hope this type of post is okay to write! I am hoping to be able to get the cost of the unit to around $3,000. Please let me know if I woudl be able to sell the extras I would be buying. please email me directly dixonjk@earthlink.net

[hkxy]

laser

[zoltan]

What is able to do this laser engraver? As I am from Romania, what would be the additional cost of shipping it to me? I would like to buy one, but for this I must borrow money and I need to know exactly what it means from cost point of view. Actually, I would like to start (finally) a small business based on my CNC knowledge got here and by building three machines (two MDF and one AL). The machines I do not think can sustain even a small business, but a laser could be a start....I hope...

[hkxy]

You like the laser the machine?

[sidi_steve]

I purchased one of these laser engravers. For the price, it is hard to beat.

There is one big problem with the one that I purchased, however.

The included software really only supports pixel based graphics, as in .bmp and .jpg

The software is easy to use and easy to configure. I took my time setting it up to be sure that I was doing everything correctly, but probably could have been cutting and engraving in less than an hour.

The software is for both designing what you want to engrave AND for controlling the engraver. Now like I said, it is easy to use. But, it doesn't support vector based files directly. It would be nice to "plot" (I mean engrave or cut) straight from a CAD program. But so far, that just isn't working.

According to the Users Manual, there are 4 output modes

1) Output from their software to the machine

2) Install a printer driver and print to the device from windows applications
They recommend NEC p2200 driver...

3) Output from their software to a .plt file

4) Print from DOS

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Well, options 1 and 3 work fine. The .plt file appears to be pretty standard hp-gl.

However, I have not been able to get options 2 and 4 to work. I wrote an email to the seller, but was told that option 2 doesn't work. I wrote an email to the manufacturer and was told that I could buy new software that would "solve my problems."

I will let people know if the seller or manufacturer offer any assistance. I would like to think that since it is in the manual, that I will be lead to a solution.

For what it is worth, this laser is a LOT of fun to play with. I probably won't use it much as an engraver, but mostly as a cutter. But, watching it engrave is very satisfying.

I really hope that I can figure out how to use it with IntelliCAD. If I can, then I would give this small engraver rather high marks.

Steve

[sidi_steve]

Actually, while I am here, I'll ask the question, but post a similar one in plotters...

This laser appears to be basically an hpgl plotter, but with a laser rather than a pen. I have played with numerous hpgl drivers, but none seem to make this thing go.

At first, I was getting various errors (no paper, device not ready...)

Thanks to some help, I made a parallel cable with pins 11 and 12 tied to ground via 1k resistors and with pin 15 disconnected entirely.

This improved the situation, as I was now not getting error messages. But the drivers still won't control the "plotter" - i mean laser engraver.

Any advice on how to establish control of this thing?

It would be nice to keep it as an hpgl plotter, as the PU and PD commands turn the laser off and on.

Thanks

Steve

[JavaDog]

Is hooking up a scope and monitoring what is going on when it is "printing" from its proprietary software as possibility? Do some reverse engineering.

Or:

I would think that, depending on steppers or servos, that you could replace the proprietary drivers with something from Gecko and a breakout board - then drive with Mach3? Maybe? Not sure if Mach3 can turn-on/off a laser, plus you have to adjust power levels too, right? Might want to see what the homebrew laser guys use to drive their machines...

[sidi_steve]

I do have a "spare" 3 axis card laying around...X Y and laser power adjust. Laser On/Off could be one of the other commands.

This is a possibility and a likelihood that I will have to go this direction.

But for the fun of it, I would like to take this as far as I can with its current board.

How can I learn more about monitoring what is going on? Is there any software that can monitor/track/record what is going on in the par port?

How else does one monitor what is going on?

No need for a tutorial, but a point in the correct direction.

Thanks

[PedroS]

Hi , i searched a bit in the internet and found some parallel port monitoring software

try SysInternals PortMon at www.sysinternals.com/utilities/portmon.html

or checkout www.geekhideout.com

By the way , what is the manufacturer of those laser machines in pictures?
I work on a GCC Mercury LaserPro for raster engraving and cutting mainly acrylics, wood and engraving glass.

[hkxy]

I may solve you any about this machine difficulty and the question

I am this machine manufacturer,Very many people sell the old machine in the proxy,But he already eliminated in Asia and China,Because I designed have made the new machine

The software may support PLT,DXF,BMP,JPG...
Software support color,Line,Time,Energy control
Supports CAD2002-2006,Output,Similar also has POTOSHOP,CORELDRAW
Uses new DSP the chip

The mechanical drive components also have the improvement

HKXY

[sidi_steve]

Hi Pedro,

Thanks for the links. I should have some time tomorrow to continue to work on this.

The manufacturer:
Best I can tell, I believe it was made by
Jinan Hengxing Computer Equipment Manufacturing Co., Ltd.

http://www.hxlaser.com/en/index.htm
the "Rabbit HX-40A"
http://www.hxlaser.com/en/products/chapter.htm

though I purchased mine thru:
http://www.iehk.net/Products/IE300.html

----

The GCC Mercury LaserPro looks like a VERY nice machine. Software really does make a big difference...

Thanks again

Steve

[hkxy]

The GCC machine is the very good machine, but the price is high

HX-40A is the popular machine, the price is low, but needs you to have the appropriate preparation.
Asked you know HX-40A the price?