Messages

1

General Mach Discussion / Re: How do i setup Mach3 to control a laser with TTL input?

« on: June 12, 2009, 01:18:41 PM »

I think the answer is to hook a Digispeed up as my laser accepts 0-5v input for power.

I would still require fast switching (PWM). For example, when engraving glass you get much better results if you have a lower DPI. The laser causes micro fractures so having them close together causes them to join and blur the result. Individual micro dots creates a much cleaner result.

Still not sure if Mach is the way to go since it appears limited regarding raster.

Zax.

2

General Mach Discussion / Re: How do i setup Mach3 to control a laser with TTL input?

« on: June 12, 2009, 09:58:49 AM »

Laser737, very interesting... and simple solution.

I would prefer to control laser power density with PWM, as not all materials like full on. I also need the ability to raster as most of my work is engraving.

At the moment I use ArtCam to setup designs and then Newlydraw to output them, but would sure like to get away from that software.

Zax.

3

General Mach Discussion / Re: How do i setup Mach3 to control a laser with TTL input?

« on: June 11, 2009, 09:39:34 AM »

Laser737. care to share some more details.

What controller board(s) did you use for the X/Y axis, and how did you wire them?

How is the laser interface controlled, directly from a breakout board?

What settings did you need for Mach3 to allow PWM of the laser?

Can it raster engrave too - any examples?

Thanks,
Zax.

4

General Mach Discussion / Re: Gerber Dimension 200 Router

« on: June 11, 2009, 09:32:37 AM »

Signman, the Gerber system is proprietary so can't be easily converted.

The ARC station is a micro controller and servo driver all in one, it communicates with the Gerber software and does not accept step/direction type inputs.

Zax.