Hey guys, I need some help. I have a NewCNC Series 1 router that I am trying to add a 15W Optlaser to. I am pretty new to CNC machining so please excuse any shortcomings in my description of the issue. In order to function the laser, I need to provide a TLL/ PWM signal and a ground. I have a USS Smoothstepper that connects via port 1 to a PDMX-122 BoB and have open output pins available (15,16,17) on the BoB.
I have connected the TTL lead of my laser adapter to Pin 16 and made the following adjustments to Mach3:
Spindle Setup: Checked used spindle motor output - Checked PWM control - PWM base frequency = 5000 - Minimum PWM = 0
Motor Outputs: Spindle enabled - Step Pin = 16 - Dir Pin =17 (I had to assign 17 a Dir pin as Mach would not let me leave the Dir pin unassigned) DirLowActive = X - StepLowActive = X - Step port = 1 - Dir port = 1
Pulley Selection: Pulley number 4 - MIn speed = 0 - Max Speed = 10000 - Ratio = 1
Motor Tuning Spindle: Steps per = 1 - Velocity = 10000 - Acceleration = 2000 - Step pulse = 5 - Dir Pulse = 5
I also made the following changes in my Smoothstepper config:
Spindle: Checked PWM, and set base Hz to 5000
I then created a simple test text file to run using the postprocessor that the laser mfg. provided. I looked into the code on this and it basically removes any Z commands and replaces them with M3 and M5 to turn the laser of and on when rapid move is required. I then ran the program and had two issues. My spindle operated at the same time as the laser, and the laser never powered up enough to make any burns or markings on the plywood sample piece I had on my bed. The motion all worked as expected in X/Y with no Z movement so the issue seems to be with powering up the laser. I checked voltage at the pin of my BoB when running the program expecting to see 0-5 volts but had no reading. I am thinking I am not getting a PWM signal to my output pin on the BoB. Any ideas on what I need to change or that I might have missed would be greatly appreciated!