Comments on: Cheap Chinese Laser Cutters – Buying one

By: Bertus Kruger

Bertus Kruger — Sun, 16 Nov 2014 01:01:40 +0000

yes… that is one of the pains. This machine has closed source Chinese software that is very limiting. basic shapes and engraving abilities. Options is to convert it to Arduino CNC Shield + GRBL but for that you still need to turn the Cad into g-Code that is then sent to GRBL via serial.

By: Bertus Kruger

Bertus Kruger — Sun, 16 Nov 2014 00:41:59 +0000

I have used the spindle enable pin to control the laser but left the PWM manual(The original machine uses it to control the laser)

By: Giovanni Mascellani

Giovanni Mascellani — Thu, 06 Nov 2014 23:24:03 +0000

Which software and which protocol do you use to interface with the cutter? Is this usable with Linux? I know that there are laser cutting machines that present themselves as a printer and can be used by just feeding them a PostScript with proper lines width and color. Is this the case with this machine?

Thanks!

By: Andy

Andy — Wed, 22 Oct 2014 10:25:08 +0000

I have one of your Arduino Shield boards on a router I built. I couldn’t find an out put on the board to switch the spindle on and off. How do you trigger (and pwm) the laser?

By: Bertus Kruger

Bertus Kruger — Fri, 17 Oct 2014 08:11:10 +0000

No real updates at this stage. The limitation of having z axis movement makes it very hard to do precision cuts cause the laser can not be focused for different materials.

By: David Katz

David Katz — Wed, 24 Sep 2014 16:27:31 +0000

Any updates? I have been looking at these (specifically your version) and have trying to learn more before taking the plunge.

By: Bertus Kruger

Bertus Kruger — Mon, 19 May 2014 08:18:28 +0000

I bought these : http://www.aliexpress.com/snapshot/6060078529.html

they are pretty good quality. I must admit that CO2 lasers are pretty user friendly and nothing to be scared of with the right safety gear. 😉

One piece of advice. As with all hobbies the cost is usually in the accessories. This laser comes with the bare minimum and will need extra money for proper fume extraction and water cooling. But saying that, bigger machines have the same costs.

By: Bertus Kruger

Bertus Kruger — Mon, 19 May 2014 08:13:58 +0000

Hi. I bought it of Aliexpress http://www.aliexpress.com/item/The-best-JK-K3020-220V-Laser-Engraving-Machine-laser-cutting-machine-laser-machine-co2/735652925.html

The sellers name is Shenzhen Scotle Technology Ltd. They are very easy to deal with and I have bought most of my electronics gear from them to do normal and SMD soldering.

By: Marian Paździoch

Marian Paździoch — Mon, 19 May 2014 08:00:48 +0000

And what laser blocking glasses do you use?

By: Marian Paździoch

Marian Paździoch — Mon, 19 May 2014 07:46:56 +0000

Could you give us name of the seller – so we can buy it also. How much did you pay for it?

By: Bertus Kruger

Bertus Kruger — Sun, 27 Apr 2014 04:53:31 +0000

Hi.

Yes… GRBL will be used. Also thinking of adding a Raspberry Pi to give it a web-interface.
The Laser used two Nema17 stepper motors. The Y-Axis has a stepper with a shaft on both sides and drives 2 belts on each side of the axis. X-axis is a single belt drive.

By: gp

gp — Sun, 27 Apr 2014 01:11:26 +0000

Interesting find. Are you planning on using GRBL and your shield with this? Any idea yet what kind of steppers this laser cutter is using internally?