Dual purpose CNC

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

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

Quote:

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Originally Posted by ZASto

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

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I Ideally I wanted to use my existing control board, the electronics are already in place driving the steppers so why go and add an Arduino ?? Does your 2.5watt laser cut 5mm plywood ?
Thanks for you reply.

George

Quote:

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Will the laser head I have chosen be able to cut 5mm plywood?

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Maybe, with a lot of passes? A diode laser is going to be marginal at cutting even 3mm wood.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by ger21

Maybe, with a lot of passes? A diode laser is going to be marginal at cutting even 3mm wood.

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Aha! learning starts, so what I proposed to use is a diode laser ??
What alternatives is there to enable me to engrave or cut 5mm Ply ??

Quote:

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Originally Posted by George

I Ideally I wanted to use my existing control board, the electronics are already in place driving the steppers so why go and add an Arduino ?? Does your 2.5watt laser cut 5mm plywood ?
Thanks for you reply.

George

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If you are running through a parallel port breakout board you can simply connect the wires from a, old parallel port cable to the Arduino without the need to change anything.

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 ??

Quote:

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Originally Posted by ZASto

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

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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

Quote:

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Originally Posted by George

Hi Eriks,

Whats an Endurance laser ??

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I was just looking at the laser you showed in the pic....endurance lasers make something similar but with the higher wattage (10W) units in these type of lasers they use heatsinks with peltier cooling.

Try here:
Improve your 3D printer or CNC machine with an Endurance laser attachments (add-ons)

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.

Attachment 422208

Attachment 422210

Quote:

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Originally Posted by ericks

I was just looking at the laser you showed in the pic....endurance lasers make something similar but with the higher wattage (10W) units in these type of lasers they use heatsinks with peltier cooling.

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Thanks eriks, So it's similar. The one I have shown is 15Watt. Will the 10W version cut through 5mm Plywood. Do you have a manufacturers model or part number on your laser, where can I buy ?

Quote:

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Originally Posted by George

Thanks eriks, So it's similar. The one I have shown is 15Watt. Will the 10W version cut through 5mm Plywood. Do you have a manufacturers model or part number on your laser, where can I buy ?

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I did not buy one, was just doing a bit of research. The strongest they do is 10W. Best to visit their site, if you contact them they are very good at answering questions

endurancelasers.com

Quote:

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Originally Posted by ZASto

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.

Attachment 422208

Attachment 422210

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You will need to verify that the pinout of this board is correct for the breakout board you are currently using. As far as "Being the same as Mach3", Mach 3 has software customizable pinouts so that cannot be guaranteed.

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.