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Mach4 General Discussion / Re: PROBLEM WITH LASER START-UP POWER WITH PMW MACH4 AND POKEYS
« on: November 22, 2021, 03:23:46 AM »
Hi GréG
There have been a number of recent developments within Mach4 to enable better laser handling but I am still not certain if controlling laser switching using the S### word can be done without breaking the CV chain (and causing delays). You would need to install the latest Mach4 build and see if this function has yet been implemented.
If it has not then…
It requires a bit of work but you need to ‘gate’ the PWM signal (pulse width set with the S### word) with the M62/M63 signal. This post (and linked posts) refer to the solution which I currently use. https://www.machsupport.com/forum/index.php?topic=12444.msg265104#msg265104
The laser is enabled with the M03 command but the actual switching is always done with the M63/M63.
If you require a change to the S### word then this is done during the period when the laser is switched OFF (by the M63Px command) then there will be no excessive burn and the laser can, for example, be switched between cut and engrave power levels without issue. Although this was done at a time before the M62/M63 command were implemented (I used my A axis direction signal) this video demonstrate the principle of laser power control. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8fUg6ebWut0&ab_channel=PaulMott
Hope this helps.
Tweakie.
There have been a number of recent developments within Mach4 to enable better laser handling but I am still not certain if controlling laser switching using the S### word can be done without breaking the CV chain (and causing delays). You would need to install the latest Mach4 build and see if this function has yet been implemented.
If it has not then…
It requires a bit of work but you need to ‘gate’ the PWM signal (pulse width set with the S### word) with the M62/M63 signal. This post (and linked posts) refer to the solution which I currently use. https://www.machsupport.com/forum/index.php?topic=12444.msg265104#msg265104
The laser is enabled with the M03 command but the actual switching is always done with the M63/M63.
If you require a change to the S### word then this is done during the period when the laser is switched OFF (by the M63Px command) then there will be no excessive burn and the laser can, for example, be switched between cut and engrave power levels without issue. Although this was done at a time before the M62/M63 command were implemented (I used my A axis direction signal) this video demonstrate the principle of laser power control. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8fUg6ebWut0&ab_channel=PaulMott
Hope this helps.
Tweakie.