V-Slot Laser cutter and engraver

-Open source
People can be freely modify our software and hardware to expand the processing area and add such as adding additional functions.

-1.6 watts diode laser
It adopted 1.6 watts diode laser for the laser parts. The output is strong enough that it can cut 0.079inch (2mm) of material.

-Mechanical parts.
We adopted open builds V-slot (http://openbuildspartstore.com/) for our mechanical parts, therefore it is simple and easy to assemble.

-Computer software
Computer software works on the Browser. It’s producing by HTML, JavaScript, Python and this is Cross-platform. You can use with Windows、Max OS X、Lunux、Raspberry Pi.

- The control board
The control board used Arduino Mega.
(Arduino - ArduinoBoardMega2560)
Arduino Mega’s program is based on GRBL (Bengler: GRBL)

・Composition of the Smart Laser Mini

・Laser

For the Laser diode, we use Blue Laser Diode 1.6 W in TO56 Package by OSRAM company Ltd.

http://www.osram-os.com/Graphics/XPic1/00088311_0.pdf/PL TB450B.pdf

Laser diode is cooling by the heat sink and fan, also it reduces the temperature rise of the laser diode.

And, ｔhe cover for blocking the light of the laser are mounted on the laser module.

Download Data file

DIY Laser cutter and engraver by smartDIYs

・Axises
Smart Laser Mini’s axises are OpenBuilds’s V-Slot Linear Rail(20 x 20mm)とDelrin Mini V Wheel. By adopting V-Slot, the number of parts will be reduced and the mechanism will become simple.

V-Slot™ Linear Rail

Delrin Mini V Wheel™

・Acrylic parts

Smart Laser Mini is used 5mm thickness acrylic for materials such as Plates.
Download Data file

DIY Laser cutter and engraver


・Motors
Use 3pcs of NEMA17 Stepping motors(JK43HS34)

・Controllers
It built 2pcs of A4988 drivers dedicated shield to the Arduino Mega.

It called “Smart Laser Mini Shield

Built Smart Laser Mini Shield to the Arduino Mega

Arduino Mega

Arduino - ArduinoBoardMega2560


A4988 drivers

Pololu - A4988 Stepper Motor Driver Carrier


Smart Laser Mini Shield designed using the KiCad.

KiCad EDA


Download Smart Laser Mini Shield’s design data file from GitHub.

・KiCad data files

・Circuit diagram (pdf)

・Parts list

smartDIYs/SmartLaserMiniShield · GitHub

・Firmware
The controller software is based on the GBRL (Bengler: GRBL) which modified the Lasersaur (Lasersaur Manual). The computer and controller are connected via COM (USB), and the communication is working by G-Code.

・PC Software

PC Software also based on Lasersaur.

It made by Python, HTML and JavaScript therefore It can work in a variety of platforms such as Windows, Mac and Linux.

This PC software is Server-client system.

Start the server software on the PC that you want to work on and start a browser session as a client on the same PC to access the server software.

Also, it is possible to perform server and client software on different PCs and control them through the Internet.

The software on the server side is created based on the light Web framework Bottle of Python. The software on the client side is created in HTML and JavaScript.


・Software Download
Download Smart Laser Mini’s software from GitHub

smartDIYs/SmartLaserMini · GitHub

・Work data
As for the Smart Laser Mini, there are two types of working techniques.

1. The vector cutting

The vector cutting can cut along the outer shapes also It can be created in SVG or DXF format.

2.The raster engraving　

Raster engraving is for impressing an image while horizontally scanning just like filling.

Raster engraving can be put into practice by pasting SVG, PNG or BMP format images.

・Work with Raspberry Pi

Smart Laser Mini also works with Raspberry Pi. As you can see the following blog, we mounted Raspberry Pi 2 and 7inch monitor to the Smart Laser Mini.

・Raspberry Pi 2 , Monitor and Desktop Laser Cutter

・Manual
You can check this Manual. Desktop laser cutter / engraver | Smart Laser Mini This is more details of the Smart Laser Mini.


・Facebook Group
We created a Japanese pubric group called “ Share your work using the Smart Laser Mini”

The group members post and share own work in Facebook. We will create in English version soon.

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