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Laser V

Discussion in 'Laser Cutters' started by Robert Hummel, Nov 30, 2013.

  1. oni305

    oni305 Veteran Builder

    Right now I'm working on an extension for Inkscape to convert the image in B/W (with different algorithms) and to generate the G Code.
    Some preview:
    mockup.png
    Example conversion:
    david.jpg firefox.jpg
    lexluther and kram242 like this.
  2. Robert Hummel

    Robert Hummel Custom Builder Staff Member Builder

    That is awesome!
    Let me know when ya need a tester ;)
    See how it performs with Laser V :D
    Ty :)
    Happy it got you up and running
    I have bin looking for the same thing, sure hope the above program will come to reality.
    Man I wish I could program!
  3. Yusuf Tumer

    Yusuf Tumer Well-Known Builder

    Hi Robert,

    Thank you for putting this awesome build up. I will be following it closely and changing a few things to suit my needs for my build. To that end, I was just wondering if it is possible at all to modify your driver board to allow it to drive a 1.5-2W laser?
  4. Robert Hummel

    Robert Hummel Custom Builder Staff Member Builder

    Yes it can be moded, the LM317t is rated for 1.5 amps so a lower value resistor, cooling fan and a relay rated @ 2 amps is all that is needed :)
    Yusuf Tumer likes this.
  5. Tweakie

    Tweakie OpenBuilds Team Staff Member Builder

    My laser is operated with Mach3 software so the situation is slightly different.

    It is usual practice, with lasers, to reduce the image depth to 1 bit then dither the image (various algorithms available) and then raster engrave the dot pattern. In recent years it has been demonstrated that an 8 bit image can be read and each of the 256 pixel values allocated a different laser power level. This will allow actual ‘shades of grey’ (as opposed to the illusion of shades) to be engraved.

    With diode lasers it is the actual diode current which is varied according to the image pixel value. With my C02 laser I am varying the PRF (Pulse Repetition Frequency) in accordance with pixel value to obtain the same result.


    Tweakie.

    a1.jpg a2.jpg a3.jpg a4.jpg
    Yusuf Tumer and kram242 like this.
  6. oni305

    oni305 Veteran Builder

    lexluther likes this.
  7. Woodie49

    Woodie49 Journeyman Builder

    This may be a dumd qustion, but how do you get the drawings to print out full size?
    Thanks
  8. Woodie49

    Woodie49 Journeyman Builder

    Is there a photo of the A4988 Step Stick some where?
    Thanks
  9. Robert Hummel

    Robert Hummel Custom Builder Staff Member Builder

  10. Robert Hummel

    Robert Hummel Custom Builder Staff Member Builder

    There is a photo in my build log of the stepstick
  11. lexluther

    lexluther Well-Known Builder

  12. lexluther

    lexluther Well-Known Builder

    ;)

    Attached Files:

    kram242 likes this.
  13. Woodie49

    Woodie49 Journeyman Builder

    "This may be a dumd qustion, but how do you get the drawings to print out full size?"
    Thanks
    I was talking abouth the parts for the Motor mount plate and the Gantry plate.
    Thanks
  14. Robert Hummel

    Robert Hummel Custom Builder Staff Member Builder

    I am taking it you want to print templates in order to cut out your own plates?
    In this case I'm not sure as I have always just generated g-code and cut on my mill.
    I will see if I can figure it out when I get home from work.
    Ps the motors I used are not standard type steppers so the motor mounting holes would need to be modified to fit your motors
  15. Robert Hummel

    Robert Hummel Custom Builder Staff Member Builder

    Well I ran the scaled g-code on laser v and for some reason I have no control over the mm a sec so I had to find something the laser would affect at the speeds it was lasering
    Here are the results
    image.jpg
    oni305 likes this.
  16. lexluther

    lexluther Well-Known Builder

  17. oni305

    oni305 Veteran Builder

    Nice ;)
    I haven't put any setup on the speed in that file, so it will run at the default speed
    GRBL:
    $4=500.000 (default feed, mm/min)
    you can modify this parameter, or send a command like "G00 X 00 Y00 F value" [i don't knov if only "F value" can be sent]
  18. Robert Hummel

    Robert Hummel Custom Builder Staff Member Builder

    I see :)
    I tryed adjusting $4 but had no luck, then adjusted $5 and it worked ;)
    image.jpg
    Last edited: Feb 15, 2014
    kram242 likes this.
  19. Woodie49

    Woodie49 Journeyman Builder

    Still wating on the full size drawings for the Motor mount plate and the Gantry plate
  20. Robert Hummel

    Robert Hummel Custom Builder Staff Member Builder

    I have not had the chance to figure that out or test print them.
    Really it should be just a matter of deleting the cam instruction and you will be left with the outline of said part.
    Then export it and print, I have never printed anything from sketchup before just always have used the cam features
  21. Woodie49

    Woodie49 Journeyman Builder

    Will have to wait because I don't have any idea of how to do that.
  22. Robert Hummel

    Robert Hummel Custom Builder Staff Member Builder

    What hardware do you plan on using?
    Motors?s
    If you are looking to make my build I will gladly help you along the way
  23. Woodie49

    Woodie49 Journeyman Builder

    Like yours, with thise Motors Neama 17 motors
    eBay item number:
    121158802114.
    I have a 4x3 sheet of 1/8 aluminum I was thinking of making the Motor and Gantry mounts out of.
    I don't see any thing for the Laser holder in the parts list.
  24. Robert Hummel

    Robert Hummel Custom Builder Staff Member Builder

    That should work fine, I will del all the cam in the files for you and try to line up some nema17 holes then post the for you. May take a bit as I'm super busy
    I added info on the laser housing in the build log
  25. Woodie49

    Woodie49 Journeyman Builder

    How do you contack someone at OpenBuilds? Trying to fine out when they will get the out of stock parts in.
  26. kram242

    kram242 OpenBuilds Team Staff Member Builder

  27. Woodie49

    Woodie49 Journeyman Builder

    What length of the Low Profile Screws?
    Thanks
  28. Robert Hummel

    Robert Hummel Custom Builder Staff Member Builder

    I used 8mm on all plates and connection points also the bolts that came with the mini v wheel kits are what was used on the carriages
  29. Scott Gillaspie

    Scott Gillaspie New Builder

    Hi all,
    Brand new to this site, and, wow am I impressed! Been looking at building a "tube and mirror" machine for a while, but after hearing all the stories about the Chinese tubes breaking or leaking gas, I kind of lost interest. Then I stumbled across this site. I have been staying up way too late every night since, reading everything I can. Robert, this build is exactly what I was looking for! Couple of noob questions. I know on the tube type, the focal length is critical, but I have not seen any mention of focal length for the diode type. Is it not as critical? Also, I want to use the laser for cutting foamboard, and some of the plans have lined that are only cut 50% through. Is there any way to adjust the power for the different areas or would I just run one job at full power for the cuts, dial it back, and run another job for the "scores"? Just curious. Keep up the fantastic work!
  30. Robert Hummel

    Robert Hummel Custom Builder Staff Member Builder

    Ty for the kind words :)
    I would say your best bet would to be go full power and then test the depth of your cuts playing with feed rates eg... 200mm for cut and then 1000 for score.
    The diodes focus to a point rather then a micron type beam like tubes so the thicker the mediam that is being cut the more of a slanted edge is noticed.
    This can be fixed by using fiber optics to focus the diode but will cost more.
    If you build it the way I did your going to find its best for say 5mm foam before you notice a slant, etching as you see in my build log and vinyl cutting :)

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