Laser added. :)

X-Carve Upgrades
109

There are a few commands that are used to control the laser on and off. There are some programs that will automatically insert the correct commands or you can manually do it. Also there are some arduino GRBL firmware optimized to be used with the laser. There is a lot of information on this subject already on this forum. Do a search on laser and you will find it. If you use the PicEngrave software, you will have the best customer service out there for this type of laser use. Just a very satisfied user, not involved with the software in any way

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110

so picengrave is the best to use with this laser?

111

Iā€™m having a really hard time with this. I cant get the new grbl to upload either

112

Software depends on the usage. PicSender for all uses and then it depends on what you are going to use the laser for. PicEngrave for photographs. Any other program for vector cutting. You need to find.the programs that work for you. Everyone will have an opinion. Once you read up on the operation, you will have a better understanding.

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113

I really need some kind of tutorial on how this works. maybe a video? I donā€™t really mind peoples opinions I want someone that has done this and can walk me through this maybe message me on facebook or something

114

This a super nice idea.

I have two questions:

  1. Do you still use glasses even with that box around?

  2. What about laser fumes? Did you finally do something to extract them or filter them?

I also want to add the laser to the x-carve, but I am afraid of those 2 possible problems.

Thanks!

115

how long does it take to upload the new grbl software

116

With the small box around the laser, I havenā€™t used the glasses. I do use a large sheet of the orange plexi off to the side in case some one walks up my drive way (declined) and happens to see the small gap between the wood and the box. As far as fumes go, I set up a small fan to blow the fumes out of the garage. I havenā€™t felt that they were overly obnoxious or dangerous. I wouldnā€™t recommend cutting plexi without a lot better ventilation than a small box or rotating fan.

117

The grbl upload is pretty quick with either the hex loader or the picengrave software. You can use the Jtech grbl as designed or you can use the current grbl hex. The current grbl does have some latency as noted by picengraver folks but it does seem to work.

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118

So you mainly engrave wood?

119

Ok, I was able to upload grbl 0.9i and when I start using the router my projects stop at 61% and rtn to home like the image is complete.

120

Yes, primarily wood. I tried to work with plexi but you have to go very slow (from my experience- perhaps I am doing it wrong)

121

I havenā€™t had that experience. Picengravertoo thoughts?

122

I havrnt tried that yet i have a couple orders for signs that i need to get out and now its only doing half the job which one on that github page am i suppose to upload to my grbl

123

The Demo for PicLaser only generates about half of the gcode file for testing. The PicSender Demo will only run about half of a gcode file also. You did not state what programs your using.

124

I am using easel to route out some acrylic i havent even begun using the laser yet i was trying to get it set up then i had to run a few signs off and it just stopped at 61%

125

Does anyone have photos of the wiring they did for the tech laser form the laser power source to the gshield. As I want to start utilizing my laser but as of now I donā€™t think I wired it properly to alter the laser output power to get different color etchings. A little help would be fantastic.

126

JTechPhotonics seems to have a custom fork of GRBL for its laser upgrade, but Iā€™ve only seem the binary image from their download site. Does anyone know if the source is available somewhere (like in github)? I assume it has to be available since GRBL is GPL.

127

Unfortunately Jay has not posted the files yet but does plan to. He is actually working on a newer version which should include the files as well. Was looking for them myself when was using a gshield in my 40 watt CO2 laser. Needed to invert the enable signal.

128

Awesome thread. Im looking into grabbing one of these kits soon, but i am curious, will these lasers cut fabric? Im looking to make laser cut morale patches in the future. Ive not been able to find mucb info on cutting fabrics thoā€¦