Struggling to get xy plotter working with laser

#1

We got this as a laser engraver, and having built and set it up, it’s not working…
Symptoms are when print is pressed in benbox the head doesn’t move, the laser flashes randomly and it doesn’t do anything else.
Tried numerous file types, playing with configurations, checking all connections etc
Any suggestions?

#2

I have the same problem, until I installed Benbox 2.9.35 (beta) and updated firmware from inside benbox and now it works… But remember its a Beta version.
This may not be the best solution but i did get up and running.
(sorry for my bad spelling)

#3

Hi!Please refer to this post.

#4

hiya,
I’ve installed the latest software and re installed arduino tool and the flush firmware.

but benbox cannot see the engraver. it isn’t giving me an option of the com port. arduion tool worked, and so did the flush firmware but benbox wont see it.

can you help?

#5

hello! Benbox software isn’t giving you the option of the com port.Please refer to this website.[http://learn.makeblock.cc/driver_installation/][1]

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I hope to help you solve this problem. If you have any questions, you can contact me.
Best Regards！
Thanks！
Albert
[1]: http://learn.makeblock.cc/driver_installation/

#6

Thanks but I already did this. I now go to benbox and com 11 shows up, but when i try to update the firmware it seems to get stuck on updating.
I select Leonardo which is the board I have, and i can find the hex file, but it seems to be stuck on thinking about it.
if it can find com 11 then it should be able to move the plotter with the arrows but there is no response from the plotter

#7

and now it has stopped seeing com 11 again!

#8

Hello, can you tell me your specific motherboard model to me?
Leonardo→

         →

Orion→

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#9

I have the leonardo board

#10

for a minute it started to operate then disappeared again. but there was no response after importing gcode into the box and pressing play.

#11

and now it seems to have found everything in benbox and still not moving the plotter!

#12

Hello!Whether there are symbols when you upgrade the firmware?

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If it’s not.you can use rhe Arduino tool.to update firmware.
Download Benbox2.04.20 and find out Arduino tool.
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I hope to help you!
Best regards!

#13

Albert,
when I run Benbox and update the firmware, I do not get the green tick to say it is done, in fact I do not see anything change at all. The only way I know something was uploaded to the Orion is I hear the servo click. But I do get Benbox working fully, so that does suggest the upload succeeded.

Is there any chance that the version of the software you took that screenshot off is slightly different to the version we have all downloaded?

#14

Hello.You can contact me by e-mail!You can take some photos or videos, so I was able to confirm the problem.
my E-mail：albert@makeblock.cc.
Thank you!

#15

I have emailed with some pictures. It’s very odd behaviour, I get the green tick when I upload the firmware, so that seems fine, but when I press the left or right arrows the laser comes on, and when I press the up down arrows, the plotter moves left only in very small increments.

#16

Please check your email, thank you.

#17

Hello,
I have excatlly the same problem as “treecarver” after upfǵrading to version 3 and then downgrading to 2.12.45 again.
CITATION of treecarver
"It’s very odd behaviour, I get the green tick when I upload the firmware, so that seems fine, but when I press the left or right arrows the laser comes on, and when I press the up down arrows, the plotter moves left only in very small increments."
END OF CITATION

Solution or workaround? Thanks in advance.

PS: All Software and drivers are fully removed and reinstalled with revo uninstaller.

#18

Hi Gerhard.
I Have the Same problem. Arrowkey is switch for Laser.
Did you fix IT?
Greetings from Germany :blush:
Andreas

#19

Hi 0700show,

Main Board of your XY is Orion or Leonardo?
For the issue about the Arrowkey: 1. make sure you have upgrade the correct firmware; 2. Check if there are wires reversed.

#20

Hi Support!
I have none of the boards posted above :frowning:
It’s a small Board in red. Label ist Benbox and P3.
There are 4 Mini-IC’s in a row “in the middle”.

But I get slowly closer to the solution:
Firmware Upload works fine.
AFTER MY FIRST UPDATE THE SETTINGS WENT MAD!
step / dir / min / max etc. were all on ZERO,
next firmware: all on “-.1”

My last Try (i Think) was: makeblock-328p-20141225
Some settings showed up. BUT
When I press the arrow-keys left and right, the laser ignites.
So I tried to change the parameters:
When I type LASER ON: 10 LASER OFF 11
The Laser on/off Button works.

I Think I “only” need the Values. But it is almost impossible to try to fill in all the fields with values betrween 0 and 255. It’s like a lottery.

Maybe you can help me a little bit further.
Thanks a lot & Greetings from Germany
Andreas!