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
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1ioctbN9JV8&t=335s
https://github.com/synthetos/grblShield/wiki/Using-grblShield
https://github.com/LaserWeb/deprecated-LaserWeb3/wiki/Firmware:-GRBL-1.1
Microcontroller:
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
The X and Y motors are 400 steps per rotation nema17 motors.
Wiring
Power supply:
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. | Use a discrete not gate to signal from an arduino, laser turns on with 0v, off with 5v. stays off with floating pin | 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.
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
Open source laser cutter software for Gcode generation. Can do vector and raster cutting. [Insert laserweb settings]
NOTES FOR NOOBS!
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.