Adding different laser module

#1

Hi!

I’m thinking of adding a different, more powerful laser module to the XY plotter.

Anyone who has experience in doing this?

Thanks!

#2

i’m on the same boat.

There is conversation on the product site which talks about the ttl input with this image. But i don’t know the exact connection and changes in the firmware.

If anyone with more experience would chime in it’d be great.

#3

Have a look at this thread: http://forum.makeblock.cc/t/upgraded-xy-plotter-6w-laser/3787/35

It’s not the same module, but it might give you some direction.

#4

Thanks for the reply Jason, i’ve checked your thread, really cool stuff!

You talk about using the enable pin to drive the laser (and the intensity?) but the one i am thinking about getting doesn’t seem to have such pin. So i don’t know how can i change the laser intensity and on/off state from software.

The laser comes with it’s own driver and power supply by the way.

Thanks.

#5

It looks like their driver does support TTL logic / switching:
http://forum.banggood.com/forum-topic-147004.html

The thread has pictures of the driver and it looks like it has TTL logic inputs on the driver.

#6

Actually here’s an interesting thing: The laser runs at 12v and the power supply it comes with is rated 12v with 2.5 amps.

So my thinking is; why not just run the laser directly from the M1 output of the Orion? It supports up to 3amps (laser’s max current is 1.3) and outputs 12v PWM. That way i can control the laser from mDraw and the orion’s m1 output will take care of the modulation and on/off for me?

Could you find any flaw with this logic?

Thanks.

#7

As long as you upgrade the power supply I imagine it’ll be fine. You’ll need enough to run the laser and both steppers, with some room left over. Otherwise it’s probably ok.

#8

I’ve hooked the M1 and the output of the voltage conversion box to the scope. The M1 spits out a square PWM signal with variable duty cycles controlled from software, as expected. The signal coming from the conversion box was a somewhat smoothed PWM with 8v max.

I’m kinda confused if this kind of PWM smoothing is necessary for the laser or not.

#9

the most powerful 8W (8000 mW) laser http://endurancelasers.com/diode-lasers/8w-solid-state-diode-laser/
you may upgrade you Makeblock plotter XY 2.0 with it!

#10