Laser engraver running MACH3

Chinese 40W CO2 laser engraver modified to run in Vector cutting mode using MACH3 software. The MoshiDraw software that came with the laser was almost useless. Uses home made chopper drives on the steppers to replace the weak stock driver and give a clean parallel port interface for MACH3. ***** Massive speed improvement, but still not as fast as others you will find on Youtube. I can't complain, this puppy was less than $1000. Next video... Set 20 Cockroaches loose on engraver surface and see who survives;-)

Category:

Science & Technology

Tags:

• laser engraver
• laser cutter
• cricut cutter
• mach3
• co2 laser
• cutting laser
• burning laser

[vmaxcruzer]

That thing is noisy! If you play it backwards it says that the devil is the path to long life. I MUST NOW KILL SOME ONE.......

[lasersafe]

@vmaxcruzer .... And all this time I thought it was just a voice in my head... You heard it too?? Honestly now, you didn't see me with the shovel did you?

[lasersafe]

Using the Z direction bit isn't perfect. I can see the error of my ways when the XY axis makes a radius cut. It takes longer to move in an arc than in a straight line. This results in a higher laser "dose" during the arc. If you are cutting all the way through an object it isn't a problem, but if you were engraving acrylic to a certain depth you would be going deeper during the arcs.

[twehr01]

I have identical laser. Planning to convert to mach3, as well. Could use some help with understanding how you are controlling laser output. Looks like you are using z. Others use spindle speed. Curious about your thoughts. Would love to have conversation offline or in private email. thanks!

[lasersafe]

It is my understanding that I would need special software to create the variable speed settings of the spindle speed in the Gcode. Right now I have only purchased Mach3 and a program called BMPtoCNC and I have done very little reading of the manuals. Since I knew how to use Z, I simply tapped in with a transistor to make the laser turn on and off with the Z direction bit. I then set the Z speed in Mach 3 to be as fast as possible.

[lov3r1]

modified? not all laser work on vector mode???

[8nwidth]

Wow, it sounds fantastic!

[mto267]

You you give a example how you wired up this machine?

[TheRooster602]

I know this is off topic but the SOUND is incredible. Could you configure it to make the right sounds so it could play music? And if you did, what would the image look like?

[jwlrymkr]

Great video and that machine is hauling *ss!

[lasersafe]

You should also realize that these cheap systems are indeed "cheaply built". The model I purchased has no means for adjusting the distance between the mirror and the engraving surface. The focus area (rayleigh length) of these lasers is pretty short, so as built it can only engrave or cut very thin materials. If you wanted to engrave a thick piece of wood, you would have to remove the bottom plate to allow the wood surface to be at the proper distance.

[twehr01]

You have to change out the controller board. You need a 2 axis controller and some means of controlling the laser. That can usually be picked up from a "spindle" bit on the parallel port. Some work involved there. That is part of this discussion below.