You published this build at a perfect time for me, I just received my laser and driver from Jtechphotonics. I was going to add it to my small machine and run it with Mach 3 but decided to build a stand alone system pretty much like what you have here. I like what you did for the Z, small, light, and easy to adjust the focus for different thickness materials. I am going to use a Ardunio Uno or Mega with a CNC shield to run the machine. Also not sure if you know this already but if you use the Z pin to output the PWM for the laser strength you can vary the laser output and engrave in 8bit grayscale. It's actually pretty cool, check out Picengrave and this build over on instructables for more info http://www.instructables.com/id/CNC-Laser-for-Printing-Images-and-Engraving-Shapeo/?ALLSTEPS
Hello I want to add a stepper on the z axis to keep a good focus when i cut thick materials ( 8cm foam for example ) , you can also do it manually of course ... I try this , but i met some problems ( but i don't remember what kind of problems ..) so i move forward and use the spindle speed to adjust the laser power ( but i now that there is some problem with this method to engrave pictures correctly ..)
I am going to add a small Nema 17 stepper on my laser slide just so i can do engravings on 3D carvings and keep the laser in focus. Like this: merging the laser gcode with the cnc mill gcode will allow shading on 3D models. Your build looks great, looking forward to seeing some more pictures !! Thanks Gerald
So the relief was already carved and now he is going back and burning etching it with the laser! Thats really cool! I wonder if you could do the same concept with injet nozzles and topographical map carvings or face profiles for instance Thanks for the share
The machine he has setup has a spindle and a laser mounted to it, so he carves a shallow 3D relief first then goes back over it with the laser to shade it. The process works with grayscale depth map images. Another piece of software merges the Gcode from the 3D relief with the laser to provide shading while following the contour of the relief. And that has been done with inkjet nozzles, might try searching for one of those "How it's made" episodes, I recall them doing a piece on how topographical maps were made and if i remember correctly after it was pieced together they loaded it in a large printer and inkjet the details on... edit: Found it....
Sorry for my late answer ... This is a 2.8 Watt diodes from http://jtechphotonics.com/ It s a little bit expensive , but there is no comparison with Chinese diodes and chinese drivers.
Its a nice looking system, I like the lock out safety idea http://jtechphotonics.com/?product=1-7w-445nm-laser-diode-and-2-0-amp-adjustable-driver-kit
I just purchased a NUBM44 bare head with driver assembly from here: XYZ Mount Modules - DTR's Laser Shop 6.8W at full power. It will need additional control to do gray scale engraving of course. Not bad for $235. Thurmond
hi, i try to use your design .dxf to make one but somehow the size of bearing hole is too far away. the hole for motor is correct
Hello I will check that , perhaps is hter a mistake on this file ( i try many version ..) . I look at this as soon as possible .
Love your build! Just curious how you constructed that z-axis part. Is it manually adjustable? (looks like it based on the red knob). Could you share how you did that? Trying to make something similar but haven't worked out a good design yet
Hello Yes , it is a manual adjustment . I used 2 nut plates and a little 2040 profile to make a carriage , Z adjustment is make my a 8mm leadscrew and a 3D printed knob. I will take some pictures , so you will have more informations .
Sorry to bother again... Would you be able to share more info (text, pictures) on how you built the Z adjustment / stepper motor? Thanks!