Full Spectrum Laser Cutter

Freeside's Full Spectrum MLE-40 laser cutter is a 40 watt CO2 cutter that has is being retrofitted with an arduino uno controller running GRBL firmware to allow it to run Laserweb software for ease of use and open-source goodness on the hardware and firmware side.

Research Links

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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1ioctbN9JV8&t=335s

https://github.com/synthetos/grblShield/wiki/Using-grblShield

Microcontroller:

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Arduino Uno running GRBL firmware. [link or code for firmware]

The motor controller is a Syntheos gShield V5 board. https://synthetos.myshopify.com/products/gshield-v5

Motors

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The X and Y motors are 400 steps per rotation nema17 motors.

Wiring

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wiring diagram

Power supply:

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Note about generic 40w co2 cutter power supplies:

Quite often the documentation for these supplies is sparse to nonexistint. They all appear as blue metal boxes about the size of an ATX computer power supply with 2 or 3 green pin headers on one side and a red high voltage wire coming from the other. Pinout to the green headers is generally similar but not always the same from one supply to another. Also there's seldom much if any labeling to note what a supply's pinout is, if your supply came with documentation for it's pinout the congrats! If not here's a likely incomplete guide to what it might be.

http://donsthings.blogspot.com/2017/01/k40-lps-configuration-and-wiring.html

Pin use	Laser tube negative	Case/Mains ground	AC1	AC2		Signal Ground	Water Protection	"Switch Light Control" (active low)	Signal Ground	Control Signal (Via potentiometer or PWM 0-5v)	5v output		24v output	DC power ground	5v output	"Switch Light Control" (active low)
Possible Labels	L-	G, FG	AC	AC		G	P, WP	L	G	IN	5V		24V	G	5V	L
Extra notes		Case/Mains ground	Doesn't matter which is live/neutral	Doesn't matter which is live/neutral		Signal Ground	Short signal ground to WP to bypass water protection. Won't fire if not grounded.	TTL?(active low)	Signal Ground	potentiometer or PWM 0-5v	Probably only meant to be used with IN and adjacent Gnd for potentiometer control.		for stepper motors, usually 2-4A max	DC power ground	Usually 1A max	TTL?(active low)

40w CO2 laser power supply from ebay.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/110-220V-40W-CO2-Laser-Power-Supply-Engraving-Engraver-Cutter-Machine/302659966406?epid=1773715012&hash=item4677f095c6:g:o-wAAOSw18xanYWm:rk:3:pf:0

CO2 laser power supply pinout

This pinout is not to be trusted until proven correct, but is likely along the right lines.

With high efficiency and short response time, this laser power supply is dedicated for CO2 laser device. This power supply has excellent compatibility with laser device and can be directly connected. It can take feedback interface which can be used in closed-loop control and testing the working current of laser. With this power supply, laser device will be easily started up and well operated with higher conversion efficiency and longer expectation of life.

Feature

   Protection switch: test the external water, ventilation, etc., to protect laser device
   TTL voltage level control: can be set high or low lever
   Easy control: the start and stop of laser can be easily controlled by TTL level.
   New function: timely scene judging which part is damaged, laser tube or laser power.
   Good compatibility: it can be applicable to 40W laser tubes from different manufacturers.
   High Security: input and output of power supply are separated completely to avoid getting an electric shock.
   Open circuit protection: with well-grounded enclosure, the power supply can work in open-circuit for a short time, which could avoid the damage of laser power supply because of the bursting of laser tube, thereby enhancing the life of power supply.

Application

   The power is adjustable through it's TTL control or by a 5K variable resistor, small design with excellence PWM control circuitry. It supports any CO2 laser for up to 40W. Application for engraving, seal-cutting, etc.

Laser power adjustment:

   By adjusting the output current of power supply through resistor
   Through PWM control (magnitude being TTL voltage level)

Specification

   Output power: 40W
   Relative humidity: ≤85%.
   Cooling way: natural air cooling
   Input voltage: AC 110V-220V adjustable
   Maximum output voltage: DC 25KV
   Maximum output current: DC 20mA
   Environmental requirements: temperature -10~ 40℃
   Isolation Withstand voltage: Input-output, input-enclosure: AC2000V-10mA-60s;
   Response time (from time of input being available to the output current being up to nominal value): ≤1ms.

Package Included

   1x 40W Power Supply

Laserweb

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Open source laser cutter software for Gcode generation. Can do vector and raster cutting. [Insert laserweb settings]

NOTES FOR NOOBS!

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The CO2 laser tube runs way happier and lives a much longer life if kept below 20C/70F! Toss ice in the cooling water bucket. A frozen jug of water works great for this. There's a fridge 5 ft from the cutter. Use it.