If you bought or going to develop a laser engraver with Arduino boards and GRBL firmware, here is a small but important configuration that significantly affects your laser process results.

GRBL is an open-source firmware that runs on an Arduino for converting g-code commands to the motion control of CNC machines. The controller was primarily developed for CNC milling, controlling the spindle rpm, which is known as spindle mode. The laser process has almost the same control loop, except for the tweak of laser power. Therefore, laser mode has been introduced in GRBL v0.9 or higher. You need to correctly configure the GRBL settings when installing the firmware to your machines.

This laser is very portable, and also the laser can go without usb connection to the computer. You can use only two 2A usb power supply. One for the laser, and other for the motors. When you open the package, you can see the laser engraver, a micro sd with all the necessary to the laser, and a pair of glasses for use the laser in totally security. Check out this open-source, laser-cutter controller software. It’s designed to support home-made laser cutters, diode based laser engravers, and even converted Chinese laser cutters. With built-in CAM for PolyLine DXF, and SVG, it can even create rasters from images. Laser GRBL is a robust piece of software that lets you make the most of your DIY Laser Engraver by customizing items with a prime marking. The clean interface can be used by beginner and advanced users alike and most of the space is dedicated to showing the preview images that will be engrave. LaserGRBL is free and opensource, but it’s development require time and money. Do you like LaserGRBL? Support development with your donation! Francis Ramirez on Portable Fiber Laser Marking Machine For Stainless Steel Logo Text Image Marking(computer not included) Edword on 3018 DIY Mini CNC Engraving Machine,PCB Milling Machine,Wood Router,Laser Engraving,CNC Router GRBL Control,Craved Metal; Categories. The nc files exported by inkscape software can basically support. This product is not a grbl open source solution, it is a firmware and software developed by neje itself. Use image engraving, not suitable for professional players; The third generation version will support both NEJE control software and GRBL control software.

What is the difference between laser and spindlemode in GRBL?

The planner moves the laser point to your defined coordination and tuning the PWM power of your laser diode in both laser and spindle modes. So, what is the principle behind that makes them result differently?

The main difference between them is how the spindle/laser output is controlled with motions. In the spindle mode, every time a spindle state (such as M3, M4, or M5) or spindle speed (Sxxx) is altered, the controller temporarily stops the feed motion. This gives time to allow the spindle to speed up/down. However, if it is used to control a laser, the staying leads to scorching, uneven cutting depth, or bumpy engraving marks! The laser mode prevents unnecessary stops whenever possible and adds a new dynamic laser power mode that automatically scales power based on the programmed speed along the path. So, everything is nice and smooth with the laser mode in GRBL. The detail of GRBL V1.1 laser mode can be found from GRBL v1.1 Laser Mode · gnea/grbl Wiki.

Enable laser mode in GRBL

Assuming you know about how to send a command to your machine with a GRBL sender, enabling/disabling the GRBL Laser Mode is super easy. You just need to change the value of the profile $32 in the GRBL setting.

  • To Enable: Send GRBL a $32=1 command
  • To Disable: Send GRBL a $32=0 command

Upgrade to GRBL v1.1

There are two major reasons for the firmware upgrade. The first interest is to enable speed and power overrides in real-time during the laser process. The override function is a new feature of GRBL v1.1 while GRBL v0.9 does not.

The second important consideration is to enable the safety door setting for the emergency cutoff of laser power. The laser source does not power off while the step motors for the XY movement are de-energized in the HOLD mode of GRBL v0.9. A stationary laser point can cause serious safety issues, including laser and fire hazards. Upgrading to the latest firmware enhances the safety of the system.

How to compile the GRBL firmware with Arduino IDE

  1. Download and unzip the latest release from the GRBL GitHub repository.
  2. To check if the library has been installed, Open Arduino IDE,
    click Sketch > Include Library > Manage Libraries…
  1. Open examples > grblUpload > grblUpload.ino in Arduino IDE.
  1. Configure the board model, processor, and port number, and then press Upload to compile and burn the new firmware to an Arduino board.

Useful links

DIY 500mW Laser Diode Engraver
Last Update: May 15, 2019 Specification Model Craftweeks LX-500-1 Case Size (W x D x H) 45 x 42 x 31 cm Max. Part Size (W x D x H) 25 x 29 x 12 cm Work Area 210 (X) x 210 (Y) mm Drive Step Motors Max. Speed Max.…
Laser

The Engraver Master was successfully upgraded recently,the engraving speed faster than before。

Download Engraver Master:

Directly to generate the tool path and no need to trans-code. The engraving speed and the laser power is adjustable. There are more function like :change the size of the picture, enter text, import the NC file or dxf file. The file format that can be imported is:jpg,jpeg,png,dxf,g-code(NC file),and so on.

Grbl Laser Engraver Software Mac

Here are the user guide for Engraver Master:

step 1. Installation

After installed, you will find an icon Named Engraver Master on computer desktop and the Start Menu. Double click the icon to start :

step 2. Software connected Interface of the Engraver Master:

Connection succeeded:

Connection failed:

Reasons for failure to connect:

1>If connection failed ,check the Device Manager of computer,find USB-SERIAL CH340 Port Device.

If there is an exclamation point on the device,it means the installation failed .

you should delete the icon ,and install again. Sometimes the software install succeeded but

can not connected to the machine , restart the computer.

2>The installation is no problem,but can not connect the machine, you should check the USB cable

or your USB port of the computer, change a USB cable or change a USB port.

3>Exclude the above reasons,Check the NANO which is on the control board

(the blue module connected to the USB cable) ,when there is a small light kept flashing,

maybe the firmware was missing,update the firmware as follow:

4>If the firmware is update and still can not connected , basically, it can be judged

that NANO has been damaged. Change a new one. Sothink logo maker pro key generator.

Software anatomy

NC Sender is the most common mode of engraving,it can satisfy most of the engraving needs,fast and Very good effect.

Here are the details.

Load NC file: load NC file (g-code file);

load CAD DXF filetips: Some versions of the file are not compatible, When you save DXF files,

select version: AutoCAD 2000, and the unit is mm).

Start /speed: Repeats(Repeated several times when used for cutting);

Speed(to adjust the speed); test size: test the size before start,for positioning).

Create image Nc file: load picture from computer,adjust the details and size.

Select the mode that you like. Look at the difference:

Create text Nc file: enter the text and select one of the font ,setting the char height

and line height, then create. Outline is just like the cutting mode .

Grbl Laser Engraver Software Mac Windows

** Let's do some exercises**

Load picture:jpe,jpeg,png

step 1.Load a picture :

Grbl Laser Engraver Software Machine

step 2.Next:

Step 3.Set the size:46,click on ‘OK’.

Device Setting Tips: Different laser module requirements of different device settings.

the speed of 500mw laser should set :900-1500,and 1000-1600mw set 1200-2000, 2500-5500mw set 1600-3000.

If you want to cut something , the speed should setting more slower.

Grbl Laser Engraver Software Mac Download

when the settings' done, click on Test the Size and Start.

Grbl Laser Engraver Software Mac Pro

DONE!!

Load NC file or G-code file

about how to create an NC file ,tutorial: http://bachinmaker.com/wiki/doku.php?id=create_nc_file

Device Setting Tips: Different laser module requirements of different device settings.

the speed of 500mw laser should set :900-1500,and 1000-1600mw set 1200-2000, 2500-5500mw set 1600-3000.

If you want to cut something , the speed should setting more slower.

when the settings' done, click on Testthe Size and Start.

Support Information:

e-mail:support@bachinmaker.com

HELPs