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mach3 laser
« on: July 04, 2017, 07:21:08 PM »
Hello all
this is my first post here and I've little experience in mach3
I'm making CO2 laser machine and now I've XY table moving correctly with mach3 and parallel port
but I want to configure it to work with laser and I don't know how to set pwm pin to engrave photos and cut dxf
sorry for my bad english
Thnx

Offline Tweakie.CNC

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Re: mach3 laser
« Reply #1 on: July 05, 2017, 01:50:53 AM »
Hi Shady,

Welcome.

By far the easiest method I have found for PWM laser output power control is described here: http://www.machsupport.com/forum/index.php/topic,12444.msg194200.html#msg194200

It will take forever to go through the whole thread but you may find some things there that are of interest to you.

Tweakie.
PEACE
Re: mach3 laser
« Reply #2 on: July 05, 2017, 11:13:54 AM »
Thanks for your reply Tweakie

but how can I generate compatible gcode to work with this method of wiring ?
and is this compatible with mach3 photo engraving plugin?

Offline Tweakie.CNC

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Re: mach3 laser
« Reply #3 on: July 06, 2017, 01:19:45 AM »
Hi Shady,

This explains the use of the M11/M10 commands:  http://hobbycncart.com/publ/cikkek/mach3_temaju_cikkek/switching_a_laser_under_mach_control/8-1-0-29

For vector work you may need to modify the post processor that you use to replace the +Z commands with the M10P1 and the -Z commands with M11P1 and then set the S### to your desired laser power level.
The photo engraving plugin is slightly different - it places it's output on the Digital Trigger pin and the M11/M10 commands are not used. The S### command is inserted manually.

Tweakie.
PEACE
Re: mach3 laser
« Reply #4 on: July 06, 2017, 09:13:35 AM »
Thanks for your reply Tweakie
how can I insert S### manually ?

Offline Tweakie.CNC

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Re: mach3 laser
« Reply #5 on: July 06, 2017, 10:56:12 AM »
Hi Shady,

The attached Gcode file (originally used as a test with Mach4) has been modified for use with Mach3 and the M11/M10 commands.
It alternately switches between cut and engrave toolpaths (using S5000 and S10) as shown in this short video: 
https://youtu.be/8fUg6ebWut0

Hope this helps.

Tweakie.
« Last Edit: May 14, 2019, 05:03:05 AM by Tweakie.CNC »
PEACE