Got the steps/mm done and I have no jumpers on the cnc shield and I disabled the Z axi, but anytime I try a test file (the laser is not connected yet until I got all the motion working) goes to the top right and crashes on the corner, I don't have switches like on my printers so can I set the size so won't hit the sides?

 

make sure set 0 where you want it (normally lower left) I found if i manually jogged the gantry in laser web it would show the home position at a weird place like -40,-30 when i first connected it. If i left it that way then it would move much more than expected when you started a job.

 

Please elaborate a bit more like, Controller used, Software IE Laserweb wiring?

 

I bought everything from openbuilds kit, i am using laserweb4, and the wiring is correct ive checked over 6 times to confirm. The laser is the 6w from opt lasers.

 

It was working good before? or it is since you build it?

 

Thishasbeen the state of the build the entire time. I cannot seem to get enough power to even burn through a piece of paper.

 

Having this values in GRBL $30 -255 $31-0 suggest to disconnect the laser module and measure with a voltmeter the power out of the PWM pin of the xpro, Manual Command "M3 S255" and check, you should have almost 5v, then type "M5" and the power should be 0v. my two cts

 

Got my machine to work and I didn't connect yet the laser because I'm waiting for a part but I connected a pen to see moving, can we have a pen mount with the acro where a servo would work as a Z axi?

 

Is better that you go with a 2 phase 4 wire Micro stepper motor...

 

That's a good idea, thanks I will try that.

 

I'm also having some issues with my ACRO / opt laser 6w diode. It was working fine for about a week or so, and now doesn't cut as well anymore... I have to use 3 to 4 times lower speed to cut the same materials as last week and some materials won't cut at all anymore.

I've tried everything I can think of without any luck.

I'm starting to think that the diode itself might be faulty / broken. Is it possible for a diode to lose power, or would it be cutting at all if it was broken?

Here are the things I've tried so far. And I'm using xPRO V3, GRBL 1.1f and a custom g-code software.

- I replaced the wires between the laser and controller / power supply.
- I checked the PWM wire with max power as suggested before, and it is around 4.5V. The main power wire to the diode is slightly under 24V.

- I'm focusing the lens the same ways as before. While focused, the laser still marks materials with a nice sharp line, just doesn't cut through as well.
- There is some scattered light around the main dot though while focusing, I don't remember if it was also there when it was working properly.
- Tried other lenses also (G2 and G7), didn't help.

One thing to note is that I lowered the speed of the top fan (because I'm cutting really thin fabrics and it was moving them around), but since the unit has overheating protection, it shouldn't cause any problems?

 

Here's also pics of my manual z-axis and table / wire setup.

For the z-axis I used some spare wheels and v-slot rail to clamp down the diode. There are wheels only on one side, the other side has a piece of foam agains the rail. This creates enough friction for the laser to stay still, but it's still quite easy to move it up and down.

The table is a ping pong table, and x-axis / laser wires are attached to the ceiling with elastic bands. They are fully stretched out in the home position, and then when the gantry moves, they pull the wires up so they never touch the table. I've tidied them up since taking the pics and thinking of replacing them with some kind of spiral cable setup, so the actual cables would be elastic.

 

Received the part I needed for my laser installed and the laser is not working (tested before so works when connected directly to the power supply that came with the laser), the fan that's on top of the laser works and has all the movements, changed the configuration from 0 to 1 and still not working.

 

The circuit I'm using is this one without the stop ends.

 

Ok got the laser working raising the voltage on the laser driver but I'm getting only 10 volts doesn't go higher and the laser only lights up once in a while when moving.

 

I was reading about the chinese laser drivers and.... I probably fried my diode)) so now I ordered the 4 diodes and the resistor. I still want to use as a plotter as well and I got a motor from a dvd working as Z axi.

 

Hello! Finally translated. If someone could take a look and give a comment that would be awesome. I hope this will help you connect the laser! It should work with other type of lasers too

http://optlasers.com/Opt-Lasers-PLH3D-6W-Acro-Openbuilds-Laser-Head-Connection-EN.pdf

 

While i don't have an Opt laser, this looks like a great little manual to me. Nice work

 

Has anyone built this in the UK? Postage from the open build store is very expensive so I was looking for a uk supplier of the hardware minus electronics.

 

I bought mine from Ooznest in the UK. They don't have it as a ready made bundle though, so you have to order everything separately.

 

What are the mounting plates that I need to make the 3 motion bits. I cannot match what ooznet has against the parts list.

What laser did you use?

 

Oh yeah, forgot about the plates, I got them made by a local laser cutter, so they were not from Ooznest. Everything else was from there.

The only place in Europe I could find them is Vslot Europe, but it was faster to get them cut locally:

Laser ACRO System

The laser I use is the Opt Laser 6W.

 

Could you 3D print the plates? Although I might have a way to get them laser cut. The finished cutter isn't able to do 6mm acrylic is it? Just a mad thought to print plates to build it and then cut new pieces.

I would plan to run a 24v system using the arduino and CNC shield with some TMC2100's. I do have a spare smoothie ware board but think this might be a bit more work than is needed

 

I have some modified Stls on Thingiverse just look for the group acro system