Hi Stephen...thanks for the information. I assembled my CNC controller but for the 5v and the 12v , I used an old computer power supply. I have used it this way for over a year with no problems and I bought 5 computers to $20.00 so they are cheap.
Stephen, I am in the process of adding a laser to my CNC using Vectric Cut2D and Mach3. Your video has been very helpful in this process and I really appreciate it. I am only able to get the laser to fire for a spit second using the #16 pin with my Mach3 settings as you have them. My trouble seems to be with the Post Processor. Would you be willing to share the PP that you use?
Randy - It is a SunFounder 2 Channel DC 5V Relay Module. Here is the link on Amazon: www.amazon.com/SunFounder-Channel-Optocoupler-Expansion-Raspberry/dp/B00E0NTPP4/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1492042646&sr=8-2&keywords=2+relay+arduino Hope that helps. Let me know if you need anything else. -Steve
I was probably talking about the 4th motor which is sometimes called the 'A Motor' or 'A Drive'. This is not to be confused with the A disk drive. Thanks for watching.
OK. I understand the question. The z-axis is used to trigger the laser on and off. I set the Z depth to -0.01". When Mach3 (CNC software) sends the breakout board the command to move down, the voltage for direction triggers a relay. When the Z axis goes to +0.01" the voltage comes off and the relay shuts down the laser. Basically I am using the direction on the breakout board to run the laser relay. I have the A-axis to raise and lower only before the laser is triggered to get it to the focal height above the work piece. I hope that helps.
I wonder if you could help me? I bought a 10 watt laser and I'm having a problem turning it on and off. I'm electrically challenged. I'm not to clear about connecting a relay. I have a 5V relay with a 5V power supply. My router is 48V, and the laser is 12V. Do I need a 12V relay? Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Dan - Not sure if I am going to be able to help you too much. The relay should be a 5v relay. The NO, NC, and Common connection are separate from the coil portion of the relay and are usually rated for up to 230v. I used a 5v relay board that I purchased from Amazon or eBay. The PC uses 5v to run the breakout board that in turn controls the relay board with the same 5v logic. I used the direction of the z setting to turn on and off the relay. I think it is in the video. Hope some of this helps.
no dice cant get it to work. using mach 3 mkx lv controller and shoot me please like now. Im jumping! laser stays constant. Question hard wire into a axis z axis or output port 7????????????
Sorry about the delay. The relay should be triggered by the direction of the signal. When want the relay fed by the direction signal. Down for on and off for up. Hope that helps. Did you get it to work? If not let me know. - Steve
I don't know ho long it will last. If the relay stops I will post a video. It has been through thousands of on/off cycles so far if not tens of thousands.
Thanks this gives me confidence to embark on fitting a laser to my CNC. Love your very tidy wiring, I am the same.
@Victor Cameron Excellent thanks for making the video and sharing.
can you share wiring diagram?
of your laser to mach3
Hi Stephen...thanks for the information. I assembled my CNC controller but for the 5v and the 12v , I used an old computer power supply. I have used it this way for over a year with no problems and I bought 5 computers to $20.00 so they are cheap.
That should work fine.
Stephen, I am in the process of adding a laser to my CNC using Vectric Cut2D and Mach3. Your video has been very helpful in this process and I really appreciate it. I am only able to get the laser to fire for a spit second using the #16 pin with my Mach3 settings as you have them. My trouble seems to be with the Post Processor. Would you be willing to share the PP that you use?
Thanks for the video!! Could you post purchase/part# info on the relay for the laser module?
Randy -
It is a SunFounder 2 Channel DC 5V Relay Module. Here is the link on Amazon:
www.amazon.com/SunFounder-Channel-Optocoupler-Expansion-Raspberry/dp/B00E0NTPP4/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1492042646&sr=8-2&keywords=2+relay+arduino
Hope that helps. Let me know if you need anything else.
-Steve
Thanks
Thank you for the video. Question: Why does the A drive need to be configured?
I was probably talking about the 4th motor which is sometimes called the 'A Motor' or 'A Drive'. This is not to be confused with the A disk drive. Thanks for watching.
I was referring to the A motor not a disk drive. Since the z axis is not used why does it have to be configured?
OK. I understand the question. The z-axis is used to trigger the laser on and off. I set the Z depth to -0.01". When Mach3 (CNC software) sends the breakout board the command to move down, the voltage for direction triggers a relay. When the Z axis goes to +0.01" the voltage comes off and the relay shuts down the laser. Basically I am using the direction on the breakout board to run the laser relay. I have the A-axis to raise and lower only before the laser is triggered to get it to the focal height above the work piece. I hope that helps.
This clears everything up. Thank you for responding.
I wonder if you could help me? I bought a 10 watt laser and I'm having a problem turning it on and off. I'm electrically challenged. I'm not to clear about connecting a relay. I have a 5V relay with a 5V power supply. My router is 48V, and the laser is 12V. Do I need a 12V relay? Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Dan - Not sure if I am going to be able to help you too much. The relay should be a 5v relay. The NO, NC, and Common connection are separate from the coil portion of the relay and are usually rated for up to 230v. I used a 5v relay board that I purchased from Amazon or eBay. The PC uses 5v to run the breakout board that in turn controls the relay board with the same 5v logic. I used the direction of the z setting to turn on and off the relay. I think it is in the video. Hope some of this helps.
nice video. what did you use write the g-code for your laserCNC?
I am using CamBam. It works great. For anything complicated I can use CAD software and bring it in as a DXF. Thanks for asking.
@@WassellWoodworking thanks for the reply. Is it possible to take a simple 2D image and convert it to g-code with CamBam?
no dice cant get it to work. using mach 3 mkx lv controller and shoot me please like now. Im jumping! laser stays constant. Question hard wire into a axis z axis or output port 7????????????
Sorry about the delay. The relay should be triggered by the direction of the signal. When want the relay fed by the direction signal. Down for on and off for up. Hope that helps. Did you get it to work? If not let me know. - Steve
Hi Stephen, nice video and thanks for sharing. If using a relay to switch the laser (TTL I assume) on and off, how long will the relay last?
I don't know ho long it will last. If the relay stops I will post a video. It has been through thousands of on/off cycles so far if not tens of thousands.
laser module ttl or ppm
That's great, thanks, so that works great for vectors but did you get it to work with raster images, photos? New subscriber
Great question. I have not experimented with raster images. If I do, I will post it.
I have a problem with delay in CNC Laser, anyone can give me a troubleshooting?
I use Mach 3 btw
Gracias me ayudo a aclarar mis dudas
De nada. Me alegra que haya disfrutado del video.
just something i noticed. the steps are not the same on the Z and A axis. Z = 1600, A = 2000.
I will take a look. Thanks for pointing that out.