I am new to PWM control and need some help. I have a DIY CNC router that DOES NOT use spindle control and I am adding a 6W diode laser.I have followed many of the online youtube videos on setting this up in Mach3 but can't seem to get it working. I have several questions that I think may point me in the right direction.

  1. My breakout board does not have a spindle relay. Any instruction I have found use a board with a spindle relay. Do I need a new board?
  2. My board only has a 5V input. Any boards with a spindle relay also have a 12-24V input for the PWM. Do I need a new board?
  3. If I get a board with the spindle relay, do I connect the TTL input to the laser controller to the relay output or to the PWM ports on the board?
  4. If I get this working, can I manually turn the laser on and off using the spindle control in Mach3?

Any help would be greatly appreciated