Difference between revisions of "LaserCutter"

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Line 28: Line 28:
  
 
* Replace driver-board with [[https://github.com/makerbase-mks/MKS-DLC32 Makerbase MKS-DLC32 board]] ESP32 based driver-board
 
* Replace driver-board with [[https://github.com/makerbase-mks/MKS-DLC32 Makerbase MKS-DLC32 board]] ESP32 based driver-board
−
** Get optical end-stops to work.
+
** {{Cbox}} Get optical end-stops to work.
−
** Get LCD-module mounted on front-panel (requires bezel and/or longer cables)
+
** {{Cbox}} Get LCD-module mounted on front-panel (requires bezel and/or longer cables)
−
** Test PWM-driving of laser-PSU via optocoupled 2-wire interface (see wiring-details)
+
** {{Ucbox}} Test PWM-driving of laser-PSU via optocoupled 2-wire interface (see wiring-details)
  
 
* Set up self-contained water-cooling arrangement using PC-cooling radiators.
 
* Set up self-contained water-cooling arrangement using PC-cooling radiators.
−
** Find suitable water-basin
+
** {{Cbox}} Find suitable water-basin
−
** Purchase submersible pump and wire it so it is on when machine is turned on.
+
** {{Cbox}} Purchase submersible pump and wire it so it is on when machine is turned on.
−
** Consider design for flow/temp-alarm circuit (that would trigger shut-off)
+
** {{Ucbox}} Consider design for flow/temp-alarm circuit (that would trigger shut-off)
  
 
* Re-work the laser-delivery head into one with Air-assist.
 
* Re-work the laser-delivery head into one with Air-assist.
−
** Purchase air-assist laser-delivery head as a replacement OR modify current head
+
** {{Ucbox}} Purchase air-assist laser-delivery head as a replacement OR modify current head
−
** Purchase and mount air-pump; create wiring for it . Consider 'turn on' when starting to cut, not 'always'
+
** {{Ucbox}} Purchase and mount air-pump; create wiring for it . Consider 'turn on' when starting to cut, not 'always'
−
** Consider chain-link cable-guide for air-delivery tube
+
** {{Ucbox}} Consider chain-link cable-guide for air-delivery tube
  
 
* Align gantry after last modifications
 
* Align gantry after last modifications
−
** Gantry has been removed and might need another removal
+
** {{Ucbox}} Gantry has been removed and might need another removal
−
** Align using the 'ABC' method, using painter-tape, or consider a 'reverse' method with laser pointing from 'head' back to tube
+
** {{Ucbox}} Align using the 'ABC' method, using painter-tape, or consider a 'reverse' method with laser pointing from 'head' back to tube
  
 
* Look at Z-bed mechanics
 
* Look at Z-bed mechanics
−
** Current bed is hard to adjust and is manual. Purchasing an extra stepper , some guide-pullies and a longer belt would allow for auto-adjust via software.
+
** {{Cbox}} Look at bed mechanics and fix the problematic clearings
 +
** {{Ucbox}} Current bed is hard to adjust and is manual. Purchasing an extra stepper , some guide-pullies and a longer belt would allow for auto-adjust via software.
  
 
* Consider FluidNC firmware instead of current firmware
 
* Consider FluidNC firmware instead of current firmware
 
** This is very likely to work without problems; requires careful flashing.  
 
** This is very likely to work without problems; requires careful flashing.  
 
** Might need patches to support LCD , if possible at all
 
** Might need patches to support LCD , if possible at all
 +
 +
== Status Log ==
 +
Here is a short list of the tasks that have to be performed and which have been done already:
 +
 +
* {{Ucbox}} (28-12-2022) Fine bed leveling
 +
* {{Ucbox}} (28-12-2022) test PWM laser control
 +
* {{Ucbox}} (21-12-2022) Collimate laser
 +
* {{Ucbox}} (21-12-2022) Set up design plan for cooling system protection pcb
 +
* {{Ucbox}} (21-12-2022) Wire up auxilary 12V supply to pump and fans
 +
* {{Cbox}} (17-12-2022) Mount additional 12V PSU for the cooling system and wire it up to share the main power connector
 +
* {{Cbox}} (14-12-2022) Fix Homing coordinates and general firmware config issues
 +
* {{Cbox}} (14-12-2022) Fix up stepper motor connection that occasionally doesn't work
 +
* {{Cbox}} (07-12-2022) Rough bed leveling
 +
* {{Cbox}} (07-12-2022) Fix Z-Bed clearances and fix it so it can move freely
 +
* {{Cbox}} (03-12-2022) Mount LCD housing
 +
* {{Cbox}} (01-12-2022) Design and print LCD housing
  
  
 
[[File:IMG_0970.JPG|320px]]
 
[[File:IMG_0970.JPG|320px]]
 +
 
[[File:IMG_0971.JPG|320px]]
 
[[File:IMG_0971.JPG|320px]]

Revision as of 02:44, 18 December 2022

TechInc Inventory
Description It cuts with lasers
Make Rabbit Laser
Model HX-40A
Category Mechanics
Operational Status BROKEN
Super Users Justa
Received at
Acquisition Details On permanent loan from Justa
Owner User:Justa

NOTE: THIS IS THE "WHITE" LASERCUTTER. THE ONE THAT HAS BEEN IN PRODUCTION HAS BEEN THE "RED" LASERCUTTER

That one belongs to 'sawugo' and is documented here: https://wiki.techinc.nl/LAOSLaserCutter

Change History

- full rewrite of info on 2021-12-23

Short introduction

The lasercutter is a HX40A engraver/cutter, fitted with a 40Watt laser-tube, a small XY-table and originally comes with a controller-board for which only WinXP software exists that requires a PC with special USB-dongles for the license required by the software. The controller-board has all markings sanded off of all the chips and it is connected to the PC with the paralel-port like it is still 1989..

That'd not be so bad, if the software even did a good job of controlling the laser; which it doesnt. It is a nightmare.

The intention for the machine is to convert it to something modern. This work is in progress and is documented here.

Modifications

  • Replace driver-board with [Makerbase MKS-DLC32 board] ESP32 based driver-board
    • checked box Get optical end-stops to work.
    • checked box Get LCD-module mounted on front-panel (requires bezel and/or longer cables)
    • unchecked box Test PWM-driving of laser-PSU via optocoupled 2-wire interface (see wiring-details)
  • Set up self-contained water-cooling arrangement using PC-cooling radiators.
    • checked box Find suitable water-basin
    • checked box Purchase submersible pump and wire it so it is on when machine is turned on.
    • unchecked box Consider design for flow/temp-alarm circuit (that would trigger shut-off)
  • Re-work the laser-delivery head into one with Air-assist.
    • unchecked box Purchase air-assist laser-delivery head as a replacement OR modify current head
    • unchecked box Purchase and mount air-pump; create wiring for it . Consider 'turn on' when starting to cut, not 'always'
    • unchecked box Consider chain-link cable-guide for air-delivery tube
  • Align gantry after last modifications
    • unchecked box Gantry has been removed and might need another removal
    • unchecked box Align using the 'ABC' method, using painter-tape, or consider a 'reverse' method with laser pointing from 'head' back to tube
  • Look at Z-bed mechanics
    • checked box Look at bed mechanics and fix the problematic clearings
    • unchecked box Current bed is hard to adjust and is manual. Purchasing an extra stepper , some guide-pullies and a longer belt would allow for auto-adjust via software.
  • Consider FluidNC firmware instead of current firmware
    • This is very likely to work without problems; requires careful flashing.
    • Might need patches to support LCD , if possible at all

Status Log

Here is a short list of the tasks that have to be performed and which have been done already:

  • unchecked box (28-12-2022) Fine bed leveling
  • unchecked box (28-12-2022) test PWM laser control
  • unchecked box (21-12-2022) Collimate laser
  • unchecked box (21-12-2022) Set up design plan for cooling system protection pcb
  • unchecked box (21-12-2022) Wire up auxilary 12V supply to pump and fans
  • checked box (17-12-2022) Mount additional 12V PSU for the cooling system and wire it up to share the main power connector
  • checked box (14-12-2022) Fix Homing coordinates and general firmware config issues
  • checked box (14-12-2022) Fix up stepper motor connection that occasionally doesn't work
  • checked box (07-12-2022) Rough bed leveling
  • checked box (07-12-2022) Fix Z-Bed clearances and fix it so it can move freely
  • checked box (03-12-2022) Mount LCD housing
  • checked box (01-12-2022) Design and print LCD housing


IMG 0970.JPG

IMG 0971.JPG

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