Messages

1

Show"N"Tell ( Your Machines) / Re: The Laser Project.

« on: November 16, 2014, 11:49:28 AM »

Looking into that as well. Thanks Guys

2

Show"N"Tell ( Your Machines) / Re: The Laser Project.

« on: November 03, 2014, 09:02:23 PM »

Hi Guys,

This is the little sub-panel fitted in it's place on the controller board. I used a couple of spots of cyno to fix it's position on the IC's before making the through connections to the main board. The function of these two switches will be software programed to control such things as ‘last setting store and retrieve’, 'PRF frequency', 'menu selection' etc. What started out as a simple project just keeps growing 

Tweakie.

Hey,

Do you have a build file like the J48 Controller for this addon? I got my hands on a 30w J48-1S-LSI laser. We were throwing it out and wanted to project it instead of landfilling the laser.

Thanks Tweakie

3

Show"N"Tell ( Your Machines) / Re: DC-K40 Laser conversion issue

« on: August 27, 2014, 05:08:41 PM »

SOLVED!!!!!  

the whole problem was from the fact that the onboard parallel port was 3.3v.  I spent so much time assuming that i had a signal, that i didn't check to see what the actual voltage was.  now it works exactly as it was supposed to!!

for those who run across this thread or have this same problem, i ordered this parallel port from newegg.com for around $14 with free shipping (which is why this post is 10 days later.  shouldn't have cheaped out and paid to get it sooner!)

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16815166006&Tpk=15-166-006

Glad to see you got yours working! Are you able to vary the Laser Power Output "Variable" or is it ON - OFF like mine now? I want it to be variable power.
Going to order one myself, we both had the exact same issue. Could you post screen shots of you MACH 3 setup for this Laser?


Thanks in Advance
Jeff

4

Show"N"Tell ( Your Machines) / Re: DC-K40 Laser conversion issue

« on: August 27, 2014, 05:04:31 PM »

Hey Tweakie!

I solved my Laser issue! I dumped the Blue board and went with break out board & 2 driver boards for X & Y. I forced myself to read the MACH 3 manual  . I ran the Z DIR pin into the Relay on the Break Out Board. I then ran the Output of the Relay to the "L" on my PSU. I turned on the Spindle Control on MACH 3. No Ground wire needed. IT WORKED! This is not exactly what I wanted it to do "REALLY ?!?" I wanted it to be variable controlled but I will take this win anytime!! I will figure that out later.


Thanks Tweakie for your help

Jeff

5

Show"N"Tell ( Your Machines) / Re: DC-K40 Laser conversion issue

« on: August 06, 2014, 12:04:50 AM »

first off, thanks for the wiring Tweakie!!  I have been high and low trying to find a pinout for this power supply, contacted the seller and the manufacturer.  apparently they only make them and its up to others to figure out how to use it...

anyway, did you ever figure out how to fix the firing problem?  Mine is doing the EXACT same thing, the laser fires on Z down, and sputters on Z up leaving little trails on the rapids and it's driving me crazy.  My wiring is exactly as in the diagram except on my board its pin 6 for Z direction.  Any suggestions would help a lot.  Thanks in advance...

derrick

Sorry no, I cannot get it to stop firing the laser. I just about gave up on the whole thing. $500.00's of disappointment. I do know for a fact I'm getting a 0.01v  to the pin 14. I'm guessing if it's not exactly 0.0v it will fire the laser - super sensitive to this. Everyone I ask will not give you a simple response. Go read here or go read this, that's not helping. I have followed the conversion to the "T" and no go for me.

6

Show"N"Tell ( Your Machines) / Re: DC-K40 Laser conversion issue

« on: June 06, 2014, 01:19:32 PM »

I new that. Had a brain fart when I wrote that asking what pin to use on the output for the motor  . I found a video of a guy who used the "Mist/Pump" part of Mach3 to make sure the laser was off when it should be off. I will figure out sooner or later what will work on this thing.

Thanks
Jeff

7

Show"N"Tell ( Your Machines) / Re: DC-K40 Laser conversion issue

« on: June 05, 2014, 03:23:21 PM »

Hey Tweakie,

I read your write up on your web site about using the Z axis as the switch for the Laser. That looks to me the way to go. Using the Spindle Relay is not working out on the Blue Board. I get trace lines left by the laser when it jogs from cut to cut. So which one(s) do you use ZA+ ZA- ZB+ ZB- and what should I connect the GND too? Do I need to use Mach3 Mill or Mach3 Plasma?

Thanks Tweakie

Jeff

8

Show"N"Tell ( Your Machines) / Re: DC-K40 Laser conversion issue

« on: May 21, 2014, 08:55:00 PM »

I have the exact same setup as the "p00ky" has. I have my "Z" on pin 4. I have setup the Laser to run off the Z up and down. My problem is even when Z is pulled up I still get laser fire, not much but enough. The laser is not totally disengaging so on travel I get burn lines. No big deal with my router churning away it has been pulled up, but a big deal with a laser though. I was wondering if there is a way to put something in line that would either be on or off not variable?


Thanks Tweakie

9

Show"N"Tell ( Your Machines) / Re: DC-K40 Laser conversion issue

« on: May 12, 2014, 04:05:07 PM »

Connect the GND directly to GND and not through the spindle relay connection.
 

Tweakie.

Hey Tweakie

I have the exact same power supply. You said "Do Not Hook The Ground Wire to the Spindle GND". So the wire I soldered to the board (GND) hook to the ground what? Do I hook to the ground on the board next to the Power supply or the ground on the laser power supply?  The info I'm following is on CNC forum on retro fitting to a blue board. I soldered a wire to the 4 pin on the 25 pin hookup on the bottom of the board. The instructions say hook that wire to (TH or L). Mach3 is working the motors just fine. My problem is this laser hook up. Forest Gumping my way through this.

Thanks in Advance
Jeff