a newbie question, what i need for a laser cutter?

okuzster

a newbie question, what i need for a laser cutter?
August 28, 2016 05:35AM

Registered: 8 years ago
Posts: 64

i was reading topics, but they make me confused in other way. i got a simple question, i would be happy for an answer.

i recently build a delta with ramps, and i have a 2.5w, 12v laser diode which only needs +/gnd from power supply to power up.

can i wire that laser to ramps e.g. on heating bed pins? or i need a driver board to connect it? is ramps powerful enough to supply 2.5w?

thanks in adv

Reply Quote

cozmicray

Re: a newbie question, what i need for a laser cutter?
August 28, 2016 01:12PM

Registered: 11 years ago
Posts: 1,049

Right you read the topics and comments with closed eyes!
The answers are there!

Thanks for providing concise info so we can help NOT!
What laser? From Changs beauty products on eBay?

angry smiley

I would use a separate power supply
with a switch that can be turned OFF quickly
before you fry your eye.

If something happens -- you don't fritz your RAMPS

I suppose you could use D9 on a SSR to have firmware ON/OFF control

What laser?
Most have supply and a trigger.

What firmware? What software?

Do you want to control power ---- PWM

Reply Quote

okuzster

Re: a newbie question, what i need for a laser cutter?
August 28, 2016 02:45PM

Registered: 8 years ago
Posts: 64

this is my laser diode [www.aliexpress.com]

i already connected it to power supply with a switch, but i need it to control by board.

i am using marlin firmware for delta, as software using repetier host or installing gcodes to sd card and plug it.

controlling power would be better, but i don't need that at this moment, simple turn on/off mode would work.

i know all infos i need should be somewhere in there, but i cant scan too fast english sources, and already spend few hours digging in forum, so i tried to ask directly.

i'll look now how can i control d9/heat 2 output on firmware, if i can make it, i'll post it here.

Reply Quote

VDX

Re: a newbie question, what i need for a laser cutter?
August 28, 2016 04:15PM

Admin
Registered: 16 years ago
Posts: 13,948

... you need a fast PWM capable input pin for driving the diode - ON/OFF-switching the power with common pulsing rates will wreck the driver after some time.

Common laserdiode drivers have a power input and a separte control input ...

Viktor
--------
Aufruf zum Projekt "Müll-freie Meere" - [reprap.org] -- Deutsche Facebook-Gruppe - [www.facebook.com]

Call for the project "garbage-free seas" - [reprap.org]

Reply Quote

okuzster

Re: a newbie question, what i need for a laser cutter?
August 28, 2016 05:36PM

Registered: 8 years ago
Posts: 64

hi Viktor, my laser module have no separate control input. only power input.

at this point i am not even sure if PWM possible. i read 4 cables needed for PWM.

have an idea what is the best i can do at this point?

Reply Quote

VDX

Re: a newbie question, what i need for a laser cutter?
August 28, 2016 07:18PM

Admin
Registered: 16 years ago
Posts: 13,948

... open the module and check, which type of driver is used.

If it's only a simple constant curren driver, then you'll have to search another with modulation input ...

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 08/28/2016 07:18PM by VDX.

Viktor
--------
Aufruf zum Projekt "Müll-freie Meere" - [reprap.org] -- Deutsche Facebook-Gruppe - [www.facebook.com]

Call for the project "garbage-free seas" - [reprap.org]

Reply Quote

okuzster

Re: a newbie question, what i need for a laser cutter?
August 29, 2016 01:11PM

Registered: 8 years ago
Posts: 64

i am not able to reach to driver, is it possible to add driver with modulation externally?

Reply Quote

cozmicray

Re: a newbie question, what i need for a laser cutter?
August 29, 2016 01:28PM

Registered: 11 years ago
Posts: 1,049

What you purchased is the laser diode head.
Needs a proper 5V driver to supply proper constant current to diode head.

Once again this is what you get with a purchase from Wang Foo - rice - chopstick company
or NOT knowing what you need for a proper project

If you don't provide the right supply -- this is a doorstop
or will fritz (cease to work) quickly, ---- maybe kill whatever is driving it.

Drivers provide high current supply to diode
and a means to properly turn laser ON/OFF

Notice the seller provides laser diodes with drivers
Ask seller if you can swap it for a laser with driver
or
sell you a driver

confused smiley

Reply Quote

okuzster

Re: a newbie question, what i need for a laser cutter?
August 29, 2016 02:17PM

Registered: 8 years ago
Posts: 64

hi ray, now i also think there is no driver as you said. i messaged to seller.

i did use laser a bit without a driver, but since you and viktor warned me that it'll kill it quickly, i stopped testing it now.

Reply Quote

rastaman46

Re: a newbie question, what i need for a laser cutter?
September 06, 2016 07:28AM

Registered: 9 years ago
Posts: 93

In my experience with this situation I can tell you

Remove that internal CC module (Take care on diode don't damage it)

Get cheap Chinese TTL module and u be able to run it from rams just fine.

Regards

Reply Quote

VDX

Re: a newbie question, what i need for a laser cutter?
September 06, 2016 08:15AM

Admin
Registered: 16 years ago
Posts: 13,948

... and be sure to adjust the correct current value for your diode with the trimpot on the TTL module and a dummy-shuntresistor in place of the diode, before connecting the module to the diode!

Viktor
--------
Aufruf zum Projekt "Müll-freie Meere" - [reprap.org] -- Deutsche Facebook-Gruppe - [www.facebook.com]

Call for the project "garbage-free seas" - [reprap.org]

Reply Quote

rastaman46

Re: a newbie question, what i need for a laser cutter?
September 06, 2016 10:06AM

Registered: 9 years ago
Posts: 93

Is this good idea?

Quote

Pull down resistor is used for prevent the momentaneous laser powering on when Arduino resets and put the driver input control at high impedance state.

Regards

Reply Quote

Attachments:
open | download - 20141119_200754_zpsb209a805.jpg (45.5 KB)

rastaman46

Re: a newbie question, what i need for a laser cutter?
September 06, 2016 10:13AM

Registered: 9 years ago
Posts: 93

What I fount is this is really good starting point on how to sett all up and get running

[www.vicious1.com]

Regards

Reply Quote

okuzster

Re: a newbie question, what i need for a laser cutter?
September 06, 2016 02:22PM

Registered: 8 years ago
Posts: 64

thanks all,

at this point i cant trust myself on removing diode off to module without damaging it. so i gonna try to solve it with some other way. if i cant, i'll take the risk.

Reply Quote

rastaman46

Re: a newbie question, what i need for a laser cutter?
September 06, 2016 03:29PM

Registered: 9 years ago
Posts: 93

If you remove brass part first it will rip wires easy without any damage to diode

Then remove all that gunk with CC module without any care

Regards

Reply Quote

okuzster

Re: a newbie question, what i need for a laser cutter?
September 06, 2016 03:35PM

Registered: 8 years ago
Posts: 64

it's all painted black on my module, not sure if any brass used also.

but for my module, there is a fan, focus head and rest is one piece. most of the wires are stucked in white thermal-paste like material in main piece.

Reply Quote

rastaman46

Re: a newbie question, what i need for a laser cutter?
September 06, 2016 04:06PM

Registered: 9 years ago
Posts: 93

remove focus head and you will see brass inset with 2 holes.

take a peace of wood then drill 3mm holes 2 off in 12mm centres use small screw drivers to fit these holes works as special tool spanner.

then just screw brass part out slowly and gently (While doing this it will rip wires of the diode ) Done then just clean heat sink part

Regards

Reply Quote

okuzster

Re: a newbie question, what i need for a laser cutter?
September 06, 2016 04:09PM

Registered: 8 years ago
Posts: 64

thanks! i 'll try that when i got a ttl driver.

Reply Quote