Converting K40IV CO2 Laser machine to DSP

[wctx1977]

Thank you very much Tim and everybody else for your help, it's working for photos now! I had some problems at the beginning with double images like some other users have experienced before but luckily enough I was able to find the problem fairly quick, it happened to be the axis (X) belt that needed to be tighten a bit. Now I have a new concern, for some reason my machine started acting funny "occasionally", I noticed that (x) axis moves by itself one way or another in a very slow motion and then stops for a few seconds then it continues to move. It does that and it happens also when it is performing a job then the jobs gets interrupted. I need to observe it cautiously to try to see where the problem is coming from. If somebody has experienced something like that before please let me know, I would love to know how to fix that problem.

Edgar

[TeacDance]

Should a new laser-cad program 5,2 work older dsp?

[SScnc]

Just got my DSP today. I have the same Laser power supply as seen in Dennis's pic below. Am I correct that with this PWM Laser Power Supply and the DSP that the big green resistor is NOT needed and can be removed ?

[twehr]

Just got my DSP today. I have the same Laser power supply as seen in Dennis's pic below. Am I correct that with this PWM Laser Power Supply and the DPS that the big green resistor is NOT needed and can be removed ?

That is correct. PLEASE ensure that you are not overdriving the laser tube. Use a mA meter and don't go over 18 mA. The DSP will likely be at about 50%-60% to max out the tube.

[Gadroc]

Pay close attention to what Tim says about overdriving the tube, its very easy to do. Once you have it hooked up you can set the power in the control panel and use the laser button to test power the mA being sent. Start at around 7% and slowly increase the power till you get to around 15ma. I have the same power supply and with the 2012 DSP I max the tub at 15ma at only 32%. Once you know your max set that max in the manufacturer parameters to prevent the software from accidentally going over that.

[TeacDance]

Pay close attention to what Tim says about overdriving the tube, its very easy to do. Once you have it hooked up you can set the power in the control panel and use the laser button to test power the mA being sent. Start at around 7% and slowly increase the power till you get to around 15ma. I have the same power supply and with the 2012 DSP I max the tub at 15ma at only 32%. Once you know your max set that max in the manufacturer parameters to prevent the software from accidentally going over that.

I use 40W PWM CO2 Laser Power Supply light object and use many time 100% power is that ok i don't have any meter

[Gadroc]

I would have a strong suspicion that you could be significantly over driving your tube, which would dramatically reduce it's lifespan. You really should put a meter on even if just temporary to calibrate the machine.

[SScnc]

That is correct. PLEASE ensure that you are not overdriving the laser tube. Use a mA meter and don't go over 18 mA. The DSP will likely be at about 50%-60% to max out the tube.

Pay close attention to what Tim says about overdriving the tube, its very easy to do. Once you have it hooked up you can set the power in the control panel and use the laser button to test power the mA being sent. Start at around 7% and slowly increase the power till you get to around 15ma. I have the same power supply and with the 2012 DSP I max the tub at 15ma at only 32%. Once you know your max set that max in the manufacturer parameters to prevent the software from accidentally going over that.

Okay, thank you both for your very helpful information ! I will do just as you describe. I just got my DSP working tonight, still have some issues to work out with the BuildLog 4 axis board running the steppers but at least I have movement now. I have the AC unplugged from the LPS while working out these issues then will move on to the laser operation.

Thanks again, I appreciate the help,

Steve

[twehr]

Okay, thank you both for your very helpful information ! I will do just as you describe. I just got my DSP working tonight, still have some issues to work out with the BuildLog 4 axis board running the steppers but at least I have movement now. I have the AC unplugged from the LPS while working out these issues then will move on to the laser operation.

Thanks again, I appreciate the help,

Steve

Steve. What are your issues with the 4 axis board?

[SScnc]

Hi Tim,

The biggest problem I had was the steppers would just make a "whirring" sound when I tried to get them to move but I changed the step resolution on the 4 axis board from position 0 to position 7 and they started working smoothly. Then the Y stepper kept making clicking noises and sounded like it was trying to take a step every couple of seconds, I finally realized I needed to set the current on the polulu boards, I turned the current down to about 1.3A and it's all quiet and working fine. So I think my "issues" with the 4 axis are over with.

Thanks to your excellent writeup on the DSP (even though it deals with PHCad and I'm using LaserCad it's still been a tremendous help as they both seem very similar) I've been able to learn a lot of what I needed and need to do. I do still need to get the step units correct though, I tell it to move 20mm and it moves 37mm so I guess I just need to keep running the unit calculations over and over until I get it right (?)

I do need some help still, my X homes to the upper right (closest to the divider panel) and Y homes to the upper (closest to the laser tube) no matter what I tell it in LaserCad, I'd like for them to home to the upper left. Any suggestions ? Change the X axis wires at the board ?EDIT: Changed wires on X at driver board, all good

I still haven't hooked the LPS back up as I want to be sure I have everything else figured out and working properly first, then I can start having the real fun, although all of this is fun really.

One more question please, you state in your writeup to read the entire DSP manual, I can't find a manual for the 2012 DSP, just the 5 pages titled " AWC608 Interface Diagram". Where is the actual manual ?

Sorry for the long post, only way I know to state it all. And thanks,

Steve

[twehr]

The biggest problem I had was the steppers would just make a "whirring" sound when I tried to get them to move but I changed the step resolution on the 4 axis board from position 0 to position 7 and they started working smoothly. Then the Y stepper kept making clicking noises and sounded like it was trying to take a step every couple of seconds, I finally realized I needed to set the current on the polulu boards, I turned the current down to about 1.3A and it's all quiet and working fine. So I think my "issues" with the 4 axis are over with.

Thanks to your excellent writeup on the DSP (even though it deals with PHCad and I'm using LaserCad it's still been a tremendous help as they both seem very similar) I've been able to learn a lot of what I needed and need to do. I do still need to get the step units correct though, I tell it to move 20mm and it moves 37mm so I guess I just need to keep running the unit calculations over and over until I get it right (?)

I do need some help still, my X homes to the upper right (closest to the divider panel) and Y homes to the upper (closest to the laser tube) no matter what I tell it in LaserCad, I'd like for them to home to the upper left. Any suggestions ? Change the X axis wires at the board ?EDIT: Changed wires on X at driver board, all good

With the 4 axis board using polulus, most people have found that the best motor performance is at 1/8 step. Adjust your pulse width to work with that. If you were to continue to get whirring, etc, then you need may need to loser your acceleration speeds.

PHCad and LaserCad are the same thing - just different versions.

One more question please, you state in your writeup to read the entire DSP manual, I can't find a manual for the 2012 DSP, just the 5 pages titled " AWC608 Interface Diagram". Where is the actual manual ?

Steve

Since PHCad and LaserCad are the same basic program, you can download the earlier version(s) of the software to find additional manuals. They won't contain info on the newest mods your controller has, but for the Cad part - most will be the same.

[SScnc]

Tim, Thanks for your help! I'll change the rotary switches to position 3 (1/8 step) and adjust from there. That makes sense about the acceleration setting, I recall a while back when first testing out my CNC router that I heard similar noises when setting that too high.

I'll d/l'd the older versions of DSP SW and see about the manual.

I want to also mention that your video on youtube about Corel draw where you demonstrate how to use "simplify" and "weld" and other things has been VERY helpful to me as well, I didn't know the procedures on that until seeing you do it.

Thanks again, really appreciate it,

Steve

[TeacDance]

Any PHcad software update in future?

[chakata]

Hi everyone, I'm new to this forum and the world of lasers. I purchased one of the Chinese K40s and of course found them to be lacking, and have purchased the upgrade parts from Marco. However apparently no two K40s seem to be the same and our Laser power supply is similar to this picture IMG_5407.JPG previously shown in this forum topic. As I can't see on {this} power board the exact same lettering that is printed on the Laser power supply supplied by Lightobject I'm asking could somebody inform me which pins on {this} board do the PWM (3), TTL(4), and Gnd (5) connect to on this particular power supply. Also , I'm not sure if (using this original power supply and LO DSP) if the large (yellow) resistor is still necessary. Thank you in advance for your reply.

[Myke]

Hi,

I bougth a K40 laser and I'd like to replace its controller.

I put in cart these things:
1pcs 2012 Commercial DSP CO2 Laser Engraving/ Cutter Controller. Support CorelDraw & AutoCad
1pcs DC 24V 15A Switching Power Supply. Good for CNC Stepping Motor Drive
2pcs 1-Axis CNC/ Laser Machine Stepping Motor Driver (TB6560)

But I dont find PWM PS for this laser tube. There is a 40-60W PS available at Lighobject but in item description " oparating voltage: 22kV, triggering voltage 26kV, ..."
I read this tube needs 15kV operating voltage and 22kV triggering voltage. So I think its too much for the K40's original tube.

Please help me to choose correct PWM PS for my K40 laser.
Thanks