Integrate OpenBuilds frame with xTool D1 Pro 20W laser head?

I recently got reintroduced to the solid state lasers. Last time I looked, they were 3W to 5W. Not real exciting for what I need to do in cutting wood, at that time.

The 20W laser from xTool seems pretty compelling, it can meet the requirements I have for engraving and cutting. Not sure about speed yet on cutting, but I don't have a defined time spec myself.

Overall their fully made product looks well enough. BUT....I like Open Build items for CNC and machines and I like to build things. With that I get the size/shape of machine that I'd like as well as the toolchain I prefer for being efficient.

So I was thinking I could build my own frame and enclosure and motion system using OpenBuilds. Then integrate the xTool laser head. The piece of information I'm searching is what is the interface/cable scheme look like to the laser head - power and control. In just a bit of googling I've not come across this. I' thinking there is power and then either a PWM/analog signal or is it a communication signal and their is onboard electronics in the head interpreting and acting on that - not sure which yet.

On the mechanical side, what is the mechanical mount?

I believe this is possible to make, just wondering how plug/play it could be versus making some interposing electronics between the Blackbox and the laser head.

If you have looked into this, or have some google fu, I'd love to learn from you.

 

Here is a clue. I was watching a video on the xTool Infrared laser module.
The video:

The reviewer rotated the part around so one could see the back and connector.
This is a part of the screen shot, let's see what we can make out on it.

Left to Right (gosh, I wish I had that infinite movie enhance capability):

• (unsure - two characters)
• (unsure - three characters, last one a "D")
• PWM (95% confident)
• GND (100% confident)
• GND (100% confident)
  
• GND (100% confident)
  
• VCC (100% confident)
• VCC (100% confident)

Just given this, if there is simply PWM for power, it may be possible. And assuming the 20W blue is a similar interface.

 

Thank you at Peter for the push to the docs and details. I'm pretty confident BlackBox can do it. Just a matter of understanding the connection on the laser head. So far the manufacturer hasn't responded, they may or may not, my guess would be they may not since the head isn't expected to be used in other devices. BUT, I'm up for being wrong.

On the mechanical mounting side, it is a dovetail like mount. See image.

 

And a couple more screen shots, this one is of the actual 20W module.

Two connectors, so different.

Left connector, 8 conductors, only a few labeled, guessing electronic power and signal (left to right):

• (Unsure - obscured, may be nothing)
• 3.3V
• PWM
• GND
• GND
• GND
• (blank)
• (blank)

Right connector, 4 conductors, guessing laser power. (left to right):

• GND
• GND
• VCC (24V, likely)
• VCC (24V, likely)

 

I've not bought the unit yet. I did look at Optlaser, their site isn't well organized I feel like and was causing a bit of confusion and anxiety in me.

Aside from that, their laser modules look engineered and are perhaps very nice. Certainly made to be integrated with other equipment. They are a different breed than xTool and the like. But the pricing is far more than I would like. The PLH3D-15W laser, for instance, is $2.2K for an upgrade kit (It isn't clear to me if I can get just the head). I'm getting excited and inspired by the xTool unit, $600, with a discount that can be applied. If there was a comparison on how one is better than the other, I would certainly study that. For the price though I could buy nearly four xTool units for the price of a single Optlaser of similar laser power.

 

I appreciate the conversation!

I hadn't looked in K40, but a quick search shows it doesn't cover the area I like. I'm shooting for around 16" x 30" to 40". The $600 at xTool was just the 20W diode laser head, just for clarity.
Good video by Maker Muse. Timely.

I heard back from xTools on their laser head. They did not share a pinout and don't recommend it for machines they didn't use. I do like a good reverse engineering challenge ;-)

All that being said, I've priced out building an ACRO system vs just buying something that works (like xTools or Muse or Boss Laser - I know they are different categories of products). And so I'm now I'm stuck in an infinite loop thinking through each one. Build a machine with Openbuilds, which I do love doing, or just get something that runs off the shelf (at various price points). My goal is to get to cutting. I'm willing to take a bit of an indirect route.

Does Opt Laser do any sponsored content? I see just a couple videos on the PLH3D-15W. I'd be up for making some content, building the ARCO with the Opt Laser head and then doing videos or posts or documentation. This could get the project cost down to where I'd like to be, helps to get more examples of the Opt Laser product in the wild and can produce some good community content.

 

Just to "think out loud", here is what I'm looking at:

OpenBuilds Table 510 - I've got a really nice table top already. Underside may be split in two. One side to hold Tanos Systainers and one side to be space for materials. Of course I'd fit electronics in here too.

ACRO 1010 - cut down just a bit. I would do the ACRO 510, but I'd like a working area of at least 420mm x 800mm. So going with the large machine, then I can trim the one axis to fit on the table and should give the work area I'd like. Blackbox electronics. Would likely add the Interface CNC Touch too. I'd want cable tracks as well.

I'd love a good Z axis package for ARCO. I may have to tinker one up, look at other builds here, etc.

I'd use this honeycomb table from Amazon. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09PYKXPS...colid=1D6ZT470U75OD&ref_=lv_ov_lig_dp_it&th=1
Would likely use a pressure regulator and solenoid for the air assist. This is so I could use my local compressor and not have to buy a specific air assist.

LightBurn, of course.

Laser Head - OK studying Opt Laser better. I'd really want the 15W, less power doesn't seem like a good idea. My main use case is cutting MDF and Plywood, 3mm to 9mm thick. And light engraving on them too. I can see cutting arylic in time as well.

I'd start in my garage. I'd want to move this to my basment, for that to happen I'd want to add sides/lid and of course some good ventilation. I'm inspired by that ClearView Plastics has created, so I'd look to either buy/make something like that. Clearview Plastics + 3D printer Enclosures + Custom Acrylic Enclosures

 

@Peter Van Der Walt

You are a well experienced engineer, it sounds like, when it comes to machines/lasers. Thank you for sharing more details with, there are elements I wasn't thinking through like the wavelength. I recognize they are different, and I see how they are different in finding documentation of what i want to cut, though wasn't thinking about it in the terms you wrote. Your input is helpful, bring it on, but also putting me in a tailspin on what machine/approach I'd like to take.

You know, it would be a good idea to gather up a bunch of different laser machines and to test their output. Kind of odd, now that I think of it, that I've not come across a video/article on this in my searching.

On the enclosure front, I had one of those shower inspiration moments. I had been thinking of the laser machine on top of the table. With an OpenBuilds table, it could be the frame of the machine. That is, one could fashion the machine to sit inside the table envelope and thus making adding sides a bit easier.

Well, well, well, what to do. Maybe I should just keep saving my money..

 

Thank you @Ianrm, I understand this.

Still noodling over some different ideas.

 

Thank you Anthony for raising the thoughts on specs. I did set out to find these myself, but I think I got distracted as I don't recall seeing them. On the ARCO, what would be interesting to know is speeds. Strength isn't the important one here, unless you mean rigid fame. High speed, low speed, repeatability, micro stepping is what I'd like clarity on. All this can be set in Black Box controller, but you are right, if configured on the ARCO, I didn't see what expected motion system performance could be. The likely answer is, "the machine can rip itself apart" if you want it too. So the sky may be the limit and then one needs to tune it for their application as the head on the unit will add some weight, though hopefully not too much to the system.

I've come up with a killer application in which case the solid state laser would be the only solution, as I see it. That is I've not seen a CO2 laser in the price range of a few thousand dollars do. What I'm thinking is pivoting the laser head, say 45 degree. This could give bevel edges when I am cutting plywood, again assuming the thickness on the diangle is still within the laser's performance envelop. So, my wheels are turning, if I should just take on building a machine. Oh I'd like to, have fun with it, but I also just want to get to making the product/templates.

 

I can't speak for the control board you are using. You may want to see if there is a forum or Discord specific for that.

In general you may need another power supply for the laser to match the voltage inputs. Then you need a PWM output from your control board that translates your tool G-code to a PWM level.