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Yet another laser engraver / cutter

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I build a 1.6 W 450 nm laser cutter / engraver mostly from China parts.

Discussions

wongkaikit95 wrote 07/14/2017 at 09:38 point

Hello, I really like your project especially the laser diode protection. However, there is one part I don't really understand. Can you share with me about the laser diode connection with the power transistor BD809 ? Is the -ve of laser diode connect to emitter of BD809 or common of BD809?

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dechemist wrote 07/14/2017 at 20:53 point

@wongkaikit95: You may understand something wrong. The transistor is connected instead of the laser diode. See the schematic above.


Regards

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mehrdad wrote 05/03/2017 at 16:55 point

hi , thanks for sharing this neat project, however I've been trying to use GRBL 1.1f version (which has laser mode feature) to engrave with my 100 watt CNC laser , but the engraving speed so slow and increase the feed rate is not affected so much , may I have your advise how to reach to maximum possible speed ?

BR

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dechemist wrote 05/03/2017 at 17:22 point

Hey,

have you calibrated your plotter correctly (microstepping, axis length steps / mm, acceleration (important !) etc. ?) Normally if you change the feed rate, the motors _must_ move more quickly. Maybe the motor driver can not handle the fast pulses from grbl ?! I guess you bought a laser plotter with software ? Or is it complete DIY ? If you have a software I would try to control the machine with that an see if you still have the speed issues. If not the problem is with GRBL and your hardware. 

Do you have  a blog / page whatever with pictures ? I am curious what your plotter looks like :)

regards

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manuel.aravena wrote 02/15/2017 at 01:46 point

dear dechemist, i've an issue with my 2w blue laser 12V, bought in china with a Good Laser A-11 driver. This driver is next generation of Walye you show. I've recently upgrade to GRBL 1.1f on Arduino UNO. I'm very ignorant in this topic, thus i need help. I use a IRF 520 Mosfet to control de laser via M3 and M5. It works fine. But when i connect direct from the A-11 driver the power inthe laser is higher than using mosfet. I had connected pin11 (wich controls Mosfet) to TTL + and TTL- to ground and the laser is On, as in direct connection. I've measured voltage in direct connection 5,5 V and more or less the same through mosfet. I want to use TTL but i want to get the maximum power in the laser. Can you help me? Of course i have done nothing on the A-11, like current or voltage regulation. (sorry my english)

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dechemist wrote 05/03/2017 at 17:14 point

Hey,

I am really sorry for the long response time ! I must have overseen the eMail notification. You probably already solved your issue but I will answer it anyway. The MOSFET you are using is not fully "open" at the voltage you are applying (5.5 V). So you measure a lower voltage since they kinda act as a resistor. When working with 5V-logic like your TTL signal, use logic level Mosfets, at 5.5V they are fully open (see explaination: https://arduinodiy.wordpress.com/2012/05/02/using-mosfets-with-ttl-levels/)

regards

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Dimitar wrote 03/05/2016 at 18:27 point

Thanks for your help!To set driver I will use the method with BD809.I have the same drivers and 2W M140 blue laser diode.How to connect BD809-kathode to (-) from laser output and anode to (+) from laser output?

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dechemist wrote 03/05/2016 at 08:00 point

Hey, to answer your question: If you want to set the max current for your laser first set the PWM to 100 %, then connect the ampere-meter (set to measure current not voltage !) in series between the power supply and the laser diode. That means one clamp vom the ampere-meter is connected to the power supply the other is connected to the wire of the laser diode. The second (e.g GND) wire from the laser diode goes directly to the power supply. Before you switch on the power supply make sure that it is set at the lowest output, then switch it on and carefully increase the output current to the max current of your laser diode.

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Dimitar wrote 03/03/2016 at 09:18 point

Hello,

I am a beginner in laser engraving. How must be connected ampere meter for setting laser diode driver max output current? If it is possible, add connections scheme.

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dechemist wrote 02/15/2016 at 21:35 point

Hey,

thanks for your comment. I will see if I manage it to do some engraving examples this weekend ! I have to buy new plywood boards.

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georgefomitchef wrote 02/13/2016 at 17:01 point

The best engraving with a diode laser


We would like to give 50 USD as a special prize for the best engraving using 2W or 3.5W

diode laser

http://endurancerobots.com/products/laser-cutters-accessory/laser-cutter-accessory-engraving-samples/

Not necessarily Endurance L-Cheapo.

Please send your pictures to gf@endurancerobots.com or place them in our facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/Endurance-1399951053640252/?pnref=lhc

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dechemist wrote 03/05/2016 at 08:07 point

Hey, how come you still advertising your page but not adding my photos I send you ? Are they not good enough or is the laser not powerful enough ? At least an answer to my mail would have been nice ;)

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