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Processing Step/Dir Signal

A project log for Galvo Laser Cutter/Engraver

A GCODE compatible galvo laser cutter/engraver.

dominik-meffertDominik Meffert 06/13/2020 at 16:060 Comments

Now that I know how DACs and OpAmps can be used for creating the right signal for the galvo drivers the next thing will be processing the Step/Dir signal from a machine controller (Arduino CNCShield, Ramps and so on).

For that I want to use at first just an Arduino UNO or NANO to do it in the easiest possible way.

If it turns out that more speed is needed, I can later switch to a more capable microcontroller.

I tried to read step/dir pulses created by an Arduino UNO with another Arduino UNO and it worked so far with up to 60kHz.

For testing the output I tried to drive a servo with the received Step/Dir signal at low frequency.

Reading Step/Dir and sending it to the DAC works, too.

The next thing will be testing with a real Step/Dir signal from a cnc or 3d printer controller and building a cleaner test setup.

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