26

Re: a laser engraver/cutter on your solidoodle..or any 3d printer

you can control it by software as the power source is the power to heat the extruder.. so a simple gcode command like M104 S100 that set the temp of the extruder to 100 deg, switch on the laser.. a M140 S0 , switch off...

27

Re: a laser engraver/cutter on your solidoodle..or any 3d printer

It's binary - either on or off.

28

Re: a laser engraver/cutter on your solidoodle..or any 3d printer

Any new test pictures to show off?

29

Re: a laser engraver/cutter on your solidoodle..or any 3d printer

elmoret wrote:

It's binary - either on or off.

So Raster control is a function of speed/acceleration vectors versus power. Fun maths to be had there....

30 (edited by ysb 2014-07-08 12:00:56)

Re: a laser engraver/cutter on your solidoodle..or any 3d printer

i will try to do some tests in the next days.. not enough spare time... i try to found grey or colored plexiglass in my local stores but i can found only clear one.. and you cant cut clear material..

31

Re: a laser engraver/cutter on your solidoodle..or any 3d printer

Hello, L-Cheapo inventor here.

Software wise, I use skeinforge simply because it's the most reliable of the slicers I've tried - my printers are on 24/7 (I have also built a "broom" for sequential printing, it will be on indiegogo soon) and it's what has shown to not crash.

I still have about a dozen L-Cheapos left over, if anyone wants them. $200 each, US shipping included, one pair of protection goggles included, second pair add $5.

32

Re: a laser engraver/cutter on your solidoodle..or any 3d printer

ysb wrote:

i will try to do some tests in the next days.. not enough spare time... i try to found grey or colored plexiglass in my local stores but i can found only clear one.. and you cant cut clear material..

The clear plexiglass in my store has a blue protective cover on it. I would imagine that would work?

SD2
E3D V6
MK5 V6

33

Re: a laser engraver/cutter on your solidoodle..or any 3d printer

It wouldn't work, it would just cut through the cover, sorry. For acrylic, I recommend TAP plastic, but they are not ubiquitous.

34

Re: a laser engraver/cutter on your solidoodle..or any 3d printer

Inventables has multiple colors of acrylic that should be laser cuttable.  https://www.inventables.com/categories/ … ls/acrylic

35 (edited by ysb 2014-09-29 16:40:08)

Re: a laser engraver/cutter on your solidoodle..or any 3d printer

thanks.. i will see that

edit: same problem as usual with US based company, Inventable shipping cost as much as the acrylic sheets for canada... (5 sheets : 50$ , shipping 43$... :\ )

36

Re: a laser engraver/cutter on your solidoodle..or any 3d printer

I started a new thread, and than found this one. Anyone else purchased this kit? http://jtechphotonics.com/?page_id=980

Pretty slick setup.

37

Re: a laser engraver/cutter on your solidoodle..or any 3d printer

diyengineer wrote:

I started a new thread, and than found this one. Anyone else purchased this kit? http://jtechphotonics.com/?page_id=980

Pretty slick setup.

seem that i can adapt my L-cheapo laser to work with the adapted software of Jtechphotonic... need to dig in..

38

Re: a laser engraver/cutter on your solidoodle..or any 3d printer

I thought Amber is the color needed to stop laser and UV light? and isnt that what Kaptan tape was for originally?

Solidoodle 2 with Deluxe kit cover & glass bed with heater. and 2nd board SD2 used not 3rd and alum platform not installed yet still wood. also need cooling fan installed to board. use Repetier Host couple vers. Slic3r also have all free ware STL programs

39

Re: a laser engraver/cutter on your solidoodle..or any 3d printer

With a solidoodle 3 printrboard rev E I believe, does it have PWM control for the fan header? Does it need pwm control to engrave photos? I know to cut its simply either on or off as stated above.

40 (edited by LdyMox 2015-11-24 14:57:23)

Re: a laser engraver/cutter on your solidoodle..or any 3d printer

How is this working for people?  I have ordered the L-Cheapo v3 (AKA 3.5 Watt) for my Solidoodle 2. Techincally an x-mas gift for me and is on the way. I plan to build an enclourse for my unit so I don't risk anyone eyes.

What colors of acrylic have people had success in cutting? It seems that clear acrylic is likely a no go and opaque should be good, but there is a lot of middle grounds of Transparents/Translucents in all sorts of variations.

Anyone figure out any better software options to run the laser?

Tammy
Solidoodle 2
E3Dv6 Hotend, MK5 v6 version, Glass Bed, Anti Z backlash slop nut, SureStepr SD8825 1/32 Extruder Driver, makeshift breakaway plexiglass case; . L-Cheapo 3.8 Watt Laser Attachment w/Custom built enclosure
From Buffalo, NY, USA

41

Re: a laser engraver/cutter on your solidoodle..or any 3d printer

shame on me, my laser is waiting a project that need it...

42

Re: a laser engraver/cutter on your solidoodle..or any 3d printer

haha....I know how it is...so easy to get distracted by another shiney project

Tammy
Solidoodle 2
E3Dv6 Hotend, MK5 v6 version, Glass Bed, Anti Z backlash slop nut, SureStepr SD8825 1/32 Extruder Driver, makeshift breakaway plexiglass case; . L-Cheapo 3.8 Watt Laser Attachment w/Custom built enclosure
From Buffalo, NY, USA

43

Re: a laser engraver/cutter on your solidoodle..or any 3d printer

I have been trying to figure this out myself. I have getting the newest version (3.5W) so...maybe it's there or maybe it's not. When it gets here I could look at it and try and find out. Is there a way to visually tell if it has a the right connection?

I will openly I admit that I am a bit confused if PWM control is hardware, firmware/software or a combination of all three needed. I am pretty sure it needs PWM control to engrave greyscale. I asked the L-Cheapo people about greyscale and they suggested GRBL might do it. Of course I don't even have the laser yet so maybe a bit before I can tink with the idea.


diyengineer wrote:

With a solidoodle 3 printrboard rev E I believe, does it have PWM control for the fan header? Does it need pwm control to engrave photos? I know to cut its simply either on or off as stated above.

Tammy
Solidoodle 2
E3Dv6 Hotend, MK5 v6 version, Glass Bed, Anti Z backlash slop nut, SureStepr SD8825 1/32 Extruder Driver, makeshift breakaway plexiglass case; . L-Cheapo 3.8 Watt Laser Attachment w/Custom built enclosure
From Buffalo, NY, USA

44

Re: a laser engraver/cutter on your solidoodle..or any 3d printer

Has anyone actually got it to work?  The intructions are not so great and quite confusing.

Tammy
Solidoodle 2
E3Dv6 Hotend, MK5 v6 version, Glass Bed, Anti Z backlash slop nut, SureStepr SD8825 1/32 Extruder Driver, makeshift breakaway plexiglass case; . L-Cheapo 3.8 Watt Laser Attachment w/Custom built enclosure
From Buffalo, NY, USA

45

Re: a laser engraver/cutter on your solidoodle..or any 3d printer

mine work on my old solidoodle 2 with sanguinololu card.... but the command of the laser is linked to the hotend , not to a fan

46 (edited by LdyMox 2015-11-25 13:22:24)

Re: a laser engraver/cutter on your solidoodle..or any 3d printer

Well I have a SD2 with the Sang, so maybe that is good news to me getting it to work in general. How were you able to generate the correct g-code? Because from what I understand the Z-axis needs to go the opposite direction of 3D printing.

Tammy
Solidoodle 2
E3Dv6 Hotend, MK5 v6 version, Glass Bed, Anti Z backlash slop nut, SureStepr SD8825 1/32 Extruder Driver, makeshift breakaway plexiglass case; . L-Cheapo 3.8 Watt Laser Attachment w/Custom built enclosure
From Buffalo, NY, USA

47 (edited by ysb 2015-11-25 15:49:31)

Re: a laser engraver/cutter on your solidoodle..or any 3d printer

i'm still on this problem tongue

if you want to engrave something, it's not a problem as you need only one layer, and you can use your standard slic3r with some special parameter... but the problem start when you want to cut something...

i will remove dust from my sd2, and i will dig in it...

i was thinking of testing this software : http://jtechphotonics.com/?product=lase … sw-license

there is a trial...

and this tutorial :

http://jtechphotonics.com/?page_id=2012

48 (edited by LdyMox 2015-11-25 15:58:26)

Re: a laser engraver/cutter on your solidoodle..or any 3d printer

Funny enough I was just playing with that trial for Laser Etch 15 mins ago, it looks very promising and for $30 not too bad of price, if it works.  Of course I don't even have my laser yet to even try it LOL.

The only other (free) option, which is actully the tutotial you listed Inkscape addon, by the same company. http://jtechphotonics.com/?page_id=2012. Which I only got to show up by throwing the files directly in my Inkscape extensions folder (and had to copy something over or another LOL).

As for the Slic3R parameters for cutting, I have been lost there... I can't find any setting that the L-Cheapo people listed as "scale the Z axis; just set it to -1". I have been discussing this with them, so if I get an answer, I will report back.  I think this must be critical to making it adjust after each layer in Slic3R to cut as opposed to just engrave.

Tammy
Solidoodle 2
E3Dv6 Hotend, MK5 v6 version, Glass Bed, Anti Z backlash slop nut, SureStepr SD8825 1/32 Extruder Driver, makeshift breakaway plexiglass case; . L-Cheapo 3.8 Watt Laser Attachment w/Custom built enclosure
From Buffalo, NY, USA

49 (edited by ysb 2015-11-25 16:10:34)

Re: a laser engraver/cutter on your solidoodle..or any 3d printer

yeah... same for me, i think the '-1' z they tell you didn't work in slic3er.... just in the older software they use (skeinforge..)

my laser was a v1 beta version so, no PWN control for me... yours is better, and can use a fan link..


there is a slic3r profile here that can be a good start :

http://robots-everywhere.com/re_wiki/in … in.LCheapo

50

Re: a laser engraver/cutter on your solidoodle..or any 3d printer

Yeah, I think maybe mine has some sort of PWN control, but I don't really know. But I think to use it I have the follow similar instruction to the variable controlled extra fan. Which if that is the case means soldering on my Solidodole motherboard which makes me nervous, so I may never do it, or maybe I'll feel adventerous some day, that is if I ever get the laser running, cutting and engraving in general.

I loaded that Slic3R profile prevoiusly, but it does not address the -Z issue; I am hoping the L-Cheapo people have some sort of solution or maybe the previously mentioned software will work

Tammy
Solidoodle 2
E3Dv6 Hotend, MK5 v6 version, Glass Bed, Anti Z backlash slop nut, SureStepr SD8825 1/32 Extruder Driver, makeshift breakaway plexiglass case; . L-Cheapo 3.8 Watt Laser Attachment w/Custom built enclosure
From Buffalo, NY, USA