X-Carve Laser Ideas

[picengravertoo]

Our PicSender gcode streamer gives the ability to switch back and forth to different grbl versions. Information is here.

Where is the laser engraving category?

I don’t have a spindle on our Shapeoko, only a laser, but I do test different versions of grbl back and forth quite extensively with PicSender. You can switch to the grbl 9j for your spindle or vector laser gcode files, then switch to the J-Tech PWM grbl for raster laser engraving. After connecting to the com port in PicSender, select the yellow GRBL button, then Display Settings, then Save. Name the file something like X-Carve GRBL 9j. Return to the main screen, select Close, not Exit. Open …

Here is my take on how a 4th axis rotary can be controlled with the 3axis grbl to engrave on round stock.

Pen Engraving

You could setup a rotary fairly simple on an X-Carve. It would only require 3 axis motion to engrave text on the contour of a Pen. You could use a drum switch to change from one axis’s stepper (X) to the rotary stepper. You would need a way to lock the X axis stepper in place when switching to the rotary stepper and that can be done with the shaft coming out of the back of it. An aluminum disc that locks on the shaft with a set screw and it has a brass screw perpendicular through the disc that …