Hi, i was also looking into this a while back. Ended up looking at "endurance lasers". They seem to have these low wattage units properly designed and cooled. All the best with your project, i will be following this
I have been using my CNC 3 Axis Router successfully for several years, but now I want to experiment.
I currently run Mach3 with Aspire software and now want to try Laser engraving.
I do not want to build a complete new machine as I have one which is perfectly adequate.
I want to go gently gently and start off by replacing my spindle motor with a 15W 450nm laser head of the type shown.
Question are
- Is there a freebie software to control my 3 axis system, recommendations please!
- Will the laser head I have chosen be able to cut 5mm plywood? If not what are my options ?
- How is focus achieved
- How is depth of cut achieved
Hopefuly someone can help.
Thanks
George
Similar Threads:
Hi, i was also looking into this a while back. Ended up looking at "endurance lasers". They seem to have these low wattage units properly designed and cooled. All the best with your project, i will be following this
Arduino Nano/Uno loaded with GRBL 1.1f as a controller and bCNC or UGS (Universal Gcode Sender od LaserGRBL
On my machine I use Mach3 when a spindle is on machine and LaserGRBL when my 2.5W laser is on.
Works like charm. GRBL has adaptive power controll of a PWM for laser during acceleration/deceleration.
HTH
Make no mistake between my personality and my attitude.
My personality is who I am. My attitude depends on who you are.
Maybe, with a lot of passes? A diode laser is going to be marginal at cutting even 3mm wood.Will the laser head I have chosen be able to cut 5mm plywood?
Gerry
UCCNC 2017 Screenset
[URL]http://www.thecncwoodworker.com/2017.html[/URL]
Mach3 2010 Screenset
[URL]http://www.thecncwoodworker.com/2010.html[/URL]
JointCAM - CNC Dovetails & Box Joints
[URL]http://www.g-forcecnc.com/jointcam.html[/URL]
(Note: The opinions expressed in this post are my own and are not necessarily those of CNCzone and its management)
Thanks, I'm using a C11 multifunction board from CNC4pc.com which utilizes the parallel port, I would like some more info on adding the Arduino and software control.
Here is an old post from years ago where I show how I connected an Arduino running Grbl to a parallel port BOB. You would have to do the same but use the pinout from your board and what each pp pin does to figure out where to wire it on the Arduino.
https://www.cnczone.com/forums/gener...-software.html
To learn more about Grbl go here: https://github.com/gnea/grbl/wiki
For a laser I think this is the most advanced interface: https://github.com/arkypita/LaserGRBL/wiki and LaserGRBL – Free Laser Engraving
Hi Eriks,
Whats an Endurance laser ??
So you are using your original 3 axis stepper? Do you have any build details for the Arduino? Connection diagram ec?
How is Focus achieved?
Is the Z axis utelised to control depth of cut?
Lots more questions to come no doubt.
I was looking at using the laser head show in my earlier post, can that be used with the Arduino ?
How about cutting thin plywood say 3 to 5mm thick > can it be done.
Can you recommend a laser head ?
Thanks
Gerry
UCCNC 2017 Screenset
[URL]http://www.thecncwoodworker.com/2017.html[/URL]
Mach3 2010 Screenset
[URL]http://www.thecncwoodworker.com/2010.html[/URL]
JointCAM - CNC Dovetails & Box Joints
[URL]http://www.g-forcecnc.com/jointcam.html[/URL]
(Note: The opinions expressed in this post are my own and are not necessarily those of CNCzone and its management)
If you want to use Arduino Nano, here are the files so that you can make an adapter board.
The D-25 is feemale, as on your computer.
Pinout is the same as for Mach3, Pin 1 is PWM!!
All home/limit switches are NC.
GRBL-LPT-B_Cu.pdf
Make no mistake between my personality and my attitude.
My personality is who I am. My attitude depends on who you are.
Welll...
I do use Mach3 and GRBL with a board that iI attached pic and pdf.
I just switch LPT cable from computer to my adapter board.
On the other end is 5 axis breakout board (of course, chineese made)
OK, maybe I cheateed a little bit, I recompiled GRBL with a bit different pinout to be compatible with my BOB pinout.
Anyway, dynamic laser power works like a charm, no overburn at edges.
BTW the USB connector is for powering BOB (needs 5V.
Make no mistake between my personality and my attitude.
My personality is who I am. My attitude depends on who you are.