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Post by cipispe on Dec 29, 2017 21:34:24 GMT
Hello. I ordered a laser head 4000mW with TTL control (it will arrive maybe in a month). TTL must be connected to cooling fan port (I will have to do something to convert 24v to 5v for TTL).
Everything seems in control but I still have a problem: I can not control hotend fan (from firmware Marlin 1.1.4 or Simplify3d or Cura or printer display). Any setting for fan power is ignored by my printer. Do I have to activate something in Marlin ? Thank you in advance and HAPPY NEW YEAR !
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ralf
Junior Member
Posts: 93 
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Post by ralf on Dec 30, 2017 0:40:17 GMT
The danger of engraving lasers are very underestimated! A class 4 laser shouldn’t operated in an unsave environment like an open modified 3d printer. As an example, a 4000mw laser like yours can cause damage to your eyes in a distance of 300 meters! The so called Nominal Ocular Hazard Distance (NOHD). Additional to that there is the problem of diffuse reflection which you never get under controlI, those reflections can damage your eyes without you notice it!!! In my job i’m operating lasers (up to 500 Watts 😬) so i know what I’m talking about. And forget those cheap safety goggles they come with the lasers/engravers they just let you think you are save, but you are not. Sorry for being so strict to this topic. www.lasersafetyfacts.com/4/ |
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Post by tanephar on Dec 30, 2017 8:28:10 GMT
Just so you know hotend fan is hard wired to power supply so there is no setting for control, but listen to what the man called Ralf says.
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Post by cipispe on Dec 30, 2017 8:46:45 GMT
Thank you very much for infos (you really opened my eyes).
I will try to make a safe enclosure for the printer (completely opaque, with a cooler fan and videocamera for inspection). It cant cost too much.. Also not sure 4000mw is the real power of the laser.
Thanks again.
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Post by kioskfan on Dec 30, 2017 20:14:55 GMT
I have a project on my slate to build a laser cutter for thin woods and paper but the burnt edges are keeping me from starting. I've read that some use inert gases to displace the air and that prevents the black edges. Anyone know if this is true and what gas is best?
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ralf
Junior Member
Posts: 93
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Post by ralf on Dec 30, 2017 21:42:42 GMT
Hello Kioskfan, nitrogen is mostly used to get a oxygen free environment, CO2 works as well and the prime solution is argon wich is the most less reactive. The oxygen is causing the burned edges, so, no oxygen, no burning. The goal is to eliminate the oxygen at the point of the action. The best would be a evacuatible chamber, for home use there would be a flow of gas sufficient (like MIG welding) but there will always small burned edges unless you build a vacuum chamber😆
In my opinion a class 4 Laser is to dangerous to operate in a “tinkering/hobbyists” environment unless you really know what you do....
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Post by cipispe on Dec 31, 2017 8:31:15 GMT
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Post by kioskfan on Dec 31, 2017 20:17:50 GMT
The part cooling fan turns on and off via software maybe that's the one you want to use?
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Post by cipispe on Jan 1, 2018 20:21:45 GMT
Tanephar said that is no setting for fan control...and this is the sad truth  . There are 2 Gcode commands for hotend fan control: - M106 = PWM control (I wanted to use it for on / adjusting the power of laser) - M107 = Turn Fan off (laser off). None of this commands is working, I tryed in Pronterface. My fan can not be turned on/off via software. I guess I am stucked and have to buy a control board for the laser. I wrote to the printer seller but no response yet. Thanks anyway. |
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Post by tanephar on Jan 2, 2018 8:23:35 GMT
Just been looking at schematics of board circuits and there is no PWM circuit this is a Ramps1.3 board, I also noticed that the laser unit was 12v so you would require a circuit of some kind to step down from 24v supplied. I think the reality is this a 3d printer not designed to mash up and turn into a laser unit.
As I said in my earlier post the fan is powered fan the PSU, that is why it starts when you supply power to the unit and stays running until you power off.
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Post by cipispe on Jan 2, 2018 11:40:48 GMT
Thanks again. Now is cristal clear. I was expecting too much from this cheap printer. I will construct a new laser engraver with 12 v board and GRBL firmware. It seems this is a simple solution.
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Post by kioskfan on Jan 2, 2018 16:51:17 GMT
Thanks again. Now is cristal clear. I was expecting too much from this cheap printer. I will construct a new laser engraver with 12 v board and GRBL firmware. It seems this is a simple solution. Really inexpensive hardware is available, I use grbl with adruino. "First Test of the GRBL bCNC Controller" |
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Post by cipispe on Jan 2, 2018 18:32:04 GMT
Hello.
What can I say...it looks great. Thanks a lot for sharing the video.
I also found there some great resources (including your blog).
I read about you wife and I was a little bit shocked. Sincerely I wish you and your wife all the best, rapid health recovery...
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Post by tanephar on Jan 3, 2018 8:16:06 GMT
Hello. What can I say...it looks great. Thanks a lot for sharing the video. I also found there some great resources (including your blog). I read about you wife and I was a little bit shocked. Sincerely I wish you and your wife all the best, rapid health recovery... I followed the links out of curiosity, to your wife's blog too, and I must say to you Brian and your wife best wishes and wellness for the years to come. I have been caring for my elderly Mother for the last 8 years, she is now 98 by the way, and I can totally relate to the lack of information you are given by healthcare professionals. But enough of that. I hope that all goes well and you life long and fruitful lives together. Happy 2018 |
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Post by kioskfan on Jan 3, 2018 16:47:09 GMT
Thanks guys, you're very kind.
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