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OpenBuilds ACRO Laser System

Discussion in 'Laser Cutters' started by Mark Carew, Sep 12, 2017.

  1. BNMaker

    BNMaker Well-Known
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    Yes. I would love a movable table... For now, as I am mostly cutting thin polystyrene and cardboard, I rarely need to move the table height. I would like to start engraving timber, though.
     
  2. BNMaker

    BNMaker Well-Known
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  3. BNMaker

    BNMaker Well-Known
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    DXF is AutoCad interchange format - many apps can read it.

    Inkscape and Adobe Illustrator are two that spring to mind.
     
  4. BNMaker

    BNMaker Well-Known
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    Your laser is ATTACHED to your Z axis mount, but you control it through PWM, if you have a PWM capable laser module. If you connect your laser to your Z+ pin on your controller, it's likely something will break.

    If you are running the GRBL CNC shield, best go back to the maker and ask specific connection info - I'm not familiar with that board.
     
  5. Leo Chan

    Leo Chan New
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    So this diagram is wrong??? CNC SHIELD ACRO DIAGRAM.png
     
  6. BNMaker

    BNMaker Well-Known
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    That diagram shows the laser attached to the PWM control pins.

    If you have a diagram of the connection, why did you ask the question?

    I’m confused about what you want.

    Edit: well that diagram certainly does show the laser connected to the Z- endstop pin... are you running modified GRBL code?

    [​IMG]

    According to Protoneer, the designer and maker of genuine CNC Shields, you connect a laser to the SpnEn pins: Laser TTL - Protoneer Product Forum
     
    #396 BNMaker, Aug 29, 2018
    Last edited: Aug 29, 2018
  7. BNMaker

    BNMaker Well-Known
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    Further confusion...

    Protoneer say to use SpnEn, openbuilds say to use Z-

    GRBL Shield help.

    I’ll send an email to Bertus (the designer of the CNC shield) and get a definitive answer. Although I’m not sure Openbuilds aren’t using Chinese cloned parts, so it may be more appropriate to make them do the heavy lifting for saving $10...
     
  8. Leo Chan

    Leo Chan New
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    So is it connect to SpnEn or Z-:nailbite:
    Untitled.jpg
    And I also confuse that this Laser Module can direct connect to SpnEn or Z- without TTL modulation?
     
  9. Rick 2.0

    Rick 2.0 OpenBuilds Team
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    Which version of grbl do you have installed on the arduino?
     
  10. Leo Chan

    Leo Chan New
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    GRBL version 0.9j
     
  11. Rick 2.0

    Rick 2.0 OpenBuilds Team
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    During the process of upgrading grbl 0.8 to 0.9, pins 11 and 12 on the Arduino were swapped to give pwm output to the spindle. This resulted in swapping the SpnEn and Z+ outputs on the board. Protoneer revised their boards to the proper pinout starting with V3.10 but the Chinese V3.00 opensource boards (falsely labeled as Protoneer boards) do not reflect the pin change. But the output labeled Z+ on the V3.00 boards does map back to the actual SpnEn pin when using grbl V0.9 or higher.
     
    Mark Carew likes this.
  12. Leo Chan

    Leo Chan New
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    So i just plug my laser module to Z+ due to my CNCShield is V3.00 version?
     
  13. BNMaker

    BNMaker Well-Known
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    If what you have is the same as that picture, you’re missing a constant-current laser driver, heatsink, fan, power source.

    All you have there is a diode in a holder, no control electronics, no way of managing ttl/pwm.

    You cannot just add that to a CNC controller and expect it to work.
     
  14. Leo Chan

    Leo Chan New
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    So any TTL Module suggestion? Something cheap and functional?
     
  15. BNMaker

    BNMaker Well-Known
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    I was wrong. Your module does contain a driver, but doesn’t support ttl.

    Plus, at 200mw, I’m not sure what you expect to do with it - it will barely mark paper.

    It’s a laser pointer, effectively

    https://www.aliexpress.com/item/New-Focusable-Laser-Module-Red-Dot-Laser-Generator-Diode-200-250mW-650nm/32596767779.html.

    If you want a usable laser, x-wossee has a great TRUE 4.5W unit for US$99 that can actually cut and mark stuff. https://www.ebay.com/itm/4-5W-Engraving-Laser-Head-with-thermal-protection-PWM-NUBM08-455nm-445nm/152781917480

    That only needs a 20x20 heatsink and fan and will plug straight into a 12v power supply and your PWM pin and can actually do decent engraving and cutting of things like 3mm ply/mdf, 1-3mm black acrylic, balsa, fabric, cardboard, and can even engrave coated metal plates.

    Sorry for my previous response - it was late and I didn’t notice the power of that diode module and just shot from the hip.

    What do you want to use a laser for? 200mw is 1/5 of a watt - and even with a watt you would be pushing it to mark paper.
     
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  16. Tenesor Quintana

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    Hello from Canary Islands

    Sorry I'm so "rookie" in this world but here is my questions...
    I just bought the Acro 1510 system and I still have not decided the laser to buy. I would like to cut plywood (maximum 22mm in several passes) engrave wood, iron, stainless steel and iron.
    Another question: can I add a rotary shaft to engrave tubes? Are there 5-axis controllers that can be adapted to also give movement to the Z axis?

    Thanks in advance
     
  17. Steven Yampolsky

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    I've accumulated what seems like at least 100 hours of operation on my acro laser with xPro board. This morning, I turned the unit on and the drivers did not lock in place! the voltage to the board is good, the laser can be turned on and off as well as other commands can be issued($$,$x, etc) but the move commands don't do anything! What gives!? How do I go about troubleshooting something like this?
     
  18. lunknowl

    lunknowl New
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    hi, is there any open source for z axis control mount?? ex j-tech z staging
     
  19. Peter Van Der Walt

    Peter Van Der Walt OpenBuilds Team
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    Some troubleshooting tips:

    1. Check $4 =1 (The xpro's onboard drivers have inverted enable signals)
    2. Check $1=255 (Else the motors only locks when moving, plus the timeout specified in $1 after all moves stop. Setting $1 to 255 forces it to be always on.

    Failing those, hardware/wiring/etc
     
    Mark Carew and Rick 2.0 like this.
  20. Peter Van Der Walt

    Peter Van Der Walt OpenBuilds Team
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    Not as a kit at this time, but you should be able to whip something up from some 2020 and mini-v wheels and plates (;
     
  21. nportelli

    nportelli New
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    So does that mean a proper board bought from Protoneer should be on the SpnEn pins? Something to try I suppose since on the Z+ pins the laser is always on. It is confusing since Arduino CNC Shield – 100% GRBL Compatable shows that the d11 pin is the Z endstop.
     
  22. Gunit

    Gunit New
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    Hi, just got my laser ACRO going, can someone tell why my engravings are coming out mirrored or backwards? Thanks for your time and help.
     
  23. Gunit

    Gunit New
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    Could it be my X axes wired backward? Thx
     
  24. Gunit

    Gunit New
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    Got it fixed.
     
  25. Peter Van Der Walt

    Peter Van Der Walt OpenBuilds Team
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    Protoneer has updated Grbl 1.1 compatible boards, or save yourself even more headache and get a CNC xPRO V4 Controller Stepper Driver (clearly labelled, well tested and supported natively in all our software/videos/examplesettings, etc
     
  26. Gunit

    Gunit New
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    Hey is there a video out there to help me set this up, i just cant seem to get things right. when i try and do a homing cycle it will crash into my limit switch and just keep going, but when i jog into the limit switch it will stop and the alarm activates like it should.
    Thanks for the help.
     
  27. Gunit

    Gunit New
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    So no one can help,:banghead:
     
  28. syl

    syl New
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    I have the ACRO system in my cart, I have an "old 3d printer" which I am going to re purpose the 24v steppers and power supply. Does the Acro Kit ship with the timing belts and pulleys needed or should I add the mentioned parts to my cart. Also when will the CNC xPRO V4 Controller Stepper Driver be ready for shipping to customers?
     
  29. Gunit

    Gunit New
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    It comes with the belts and pulleys.
     
  30. syl

    syl New
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    Thank you very much! I am looking forward to building this laser engraver!
     

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