Laser Engraver With Arduino

This machine is designed to make the laser engrave in wood and opaque plastic, having an Arduino and the GRBL as machine automation basis. The machine axis are just the X and Y axis, which move a laser with power 1w 445nm, and this article aims to provide everything you need to make, without waiving of mechanical and electronic knowledge.

With around 170 euros can make one.

My portuguese blog: www.logicamecatronica.com (like my blog on facebook please)

Step 1: Materials

You will need some material for your machine, in which I produced a list of required material. You will need tools.

Bill of materials:

1x Arduino Uno

1x Motor Jaw Shaft Coupler 5x5mm

1x Laser 1w 445nm (you can choose another, but i recommend max 3w on this cnc)

1x CNC Shield v3.1

1x Laser driver 12v

2x stepper motors Nema 17

1x power supply 12v 5A

1x laser diode 1w 445 nm 5.6mm

1x heatsink 5.6mm laser diode

3x GT2 Timing Pulleys 20 tooth 3m GT2 Timing belt

1x 12v fan cooler

1x 605ZZ ball bearing

12x Pulley Wheels Roller 695ZZ1x 5.6mm TO18 Laser Diode Case

2x stepper motor driver DRV8825

2x limit switches

1x switch power 3D printed pieces

1x plugin 230v cable

1x USB cable (in future we will use Bluetooth)

M5 Nuts

various length of M5 screwdrivers

flexible cable wire for electronics

1x pair of safety glasses Note: Never look directly into the laser, always wear protective glasses, link these glasses are cheap and effective, look directly at the laser runs the risk of blindness and cataracts. http://www.dragonlasers.com/Laser-Safety-Glasses....

On Rat rig:

5x 500mm V-SLOT 2040 – Black

8x OpenBuilds Universal L Brackets (Single)

1x OpenBuilds Tee Nuts (25 Pack)

5x OpenBuilds Tee Nut (1 Unit)

Step 2: Electronics

The wiring diagram of this machine is very simple, just follow the following schedule (the used resistance is 1k ohms)

Step 3: 3D Printed Pieces

Printed pieces in 3D, you'll need a 3D printer or else order from any website online already printed pieces.

http://www.thingiverse.com/thing:819755

This printed pieces are from another user of insctructables (tobias.sobkowiak)

Step 4: Mounting

With this photos you can mount easily your machine.

Step 5: Software

Necessary software (works only on Windows 7 or higher and requires framework 4), I used the CamBam (is paid) and 3DPsender, made by a developer who also made a laser engraver, call 3DPBurner.

GRBL hex file: https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B5Y1gEmSHMjMS1R4RUhsamV3QXc/view?usp=sharing

Xloader to flash Arduino: http://russemotto.com/xloader/XLoader.zip

how flash and setting of GRBL: https://github.com/grbl/grbl/wiki

3DP Burner Send: https://github.com/villamany/3dpBurner-sender/releases

3DP Burner image2code: https://github.com/villamany/3dpBurner-Image2Gcode/releases

CamBam settings: https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/40132197/CamBam%20settings.docx

Step 6: Results

The expected results of the machine will be these.

Download all files here: https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/40132197/M.%20laser.zip

Thank you and i hope that you enjoy :)

Comments

[RafaelO28]

You can cut acrylic?

[NingA]

diode laser engraver can cut black acrylic also

[slanwar]

You can/t cut acrylic with a diode laser you will need a CO2 laser

[webbmark916]

Seems that i cant get the drop box files for this proj

[SteveH5]

Hi. My electronics setup is identical to your layout and I find the laser switches on full power whenever I switch on the power supply and the USB is connected. Is there a trick to prevent full power at startup? Many thanks

[om.associated]

Not able to download STL files...

[Aswin thambi]

Hi,iam also made a cnc based on your project.
But when i operate that,both the axises are moving together with a single axis command.
the machine move diagonally with any X or Y axis command.
can you help me to fix it?

[jmdang]

Hi, may I know why some people will add in the MOSFET inside the circuit? Do I need both resistor and MOSFET for the laser engraver?

[mtelawi]

Can you please provide us with a pictures for all the items, or a video of the machine running?

[Billgabo]

Your Laser CNC can cut canvas (the fabric of backpacks) or leather?

[Adrian-ClaudiuB]

hello, what is the role of that 1k rezistor between the wires that comes from cnc shield to laser ttl ? i run some tests and the laser works the same with or without it, obly the resistance mesured with rezistor is like 4.8 v and without 4.99 v. cand you explain to me ? thanks

[amccoy9]

Why is there a resistor between the positive and negative TTL lines? Won't that short it?

[JoãoC7]

If you knew what a resistor is you wouldn't ask that question...I hope i know it already... ;)

[AlexisC80]

Do i need a bigger resistance for a bigger laser? lets say a 10w laser?

[JoãoC7]

No, the resistance has nothing to do with the laser size. The resistance is there to limit the current from the Arduino pin. Just to turn on and off the laser.

[thanhvietnguyen]

Please can you fix the link:

https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/40132197/M.%20laser.zip ?

[ToddD56]

Please, Please, Please post new link for software.

[JoãoC7]

You can use GRBL 1.1 and LaserWeb for controlling the laser. And for designing use Inkscape, all free software. ;)

[radioman02]

I have the Arduino Uno R3. My laser is a 12 volt 500mw(below) on the R3, where do I connect it so the R3 controlls the on and off, the laser has it's own power supply. Thank You for the help

[IanK66]

Hi Radioman02

Did you manage to get the laser module working, please share information.

Regards

Ian UK