Lightobject.com Support Forum

I have a 1996 Universal Laser Systems 25 watt laser with a bad controller board and would like to upgrade it to a modern DSP controller. My question is since my laser is controlled via a coaxial cable, how would I wire this into the new DSP?

I see that the DSP controller automatically creates a "tickle pulse" that my metal CO2 laser requires, but wonder how it would be connected?

ANY help would be greatly appreciated.




Nicholas...

I'm in the same boat buddy.
viewtopic.php?f=8&t=2799 is the link to the question I posted. I included diagrams in my post. I think my problem is the same as yours. If I get it solved before you I'll let you know.

What are you ugrading from? I can tell you that the coaxial type lead that comes from my Universal Laser runs to pins 3 and 4. 3 is a ground. If you run the wire from 4 from your PWM output the laser will fire at full strength.
Now.... to figure out how to adjust the power. I'll update as I learn.

Would a potentiometer work on that pin perhaps? I know the laser still needs a "tickle pulse" but the DSP card should provide that? I just have an original ULS-25 CO2 laser engraver...

Your tube is not a standard laser tube as I replied from the other post. It seems to me that is is a 'RF' laser tube which is powered by DC48V. It should be air cooled, isn't it?

If so, then it is easy to drive it by the DSP

Marco

Yes, it has a bunch of fans to help with the air-cooling. Not sure of the voltage, but that seems right. It's a great quality laser, I've heard. Lasts for something like 20,000 hours between gas refills/servicing.

So how would I hook it up to the DSP controller?

It is indeed a CO2 laser. Mine is water cooled. I'll post update when I have the issue resolved.

To Agent Sevan :

Yes, then your is RF laser tube. Most if not 100%, that a RF laser tube is metal casing and driving by DC48V and air-cooled. Some folks confused that and claimed that it is a CO2 tube. The true is that a RF tube is filled with CO2 gas but it is driven by high frequency circuitry without using a high voltage laser power supply that a standard CO2 used to need. Plus, it is air-cooled, but not water cooled. So, you can save money from buying a water chiller and no need to deal with messy water and tubing. Plus, RF is having finer laser beam. Instead of 4~8mm in diameter a Co2 laser tube generally generated, most RF tube output 1mm or may be smaller laser beam. Both speed and fineness from a RF tube is way better than a CO2 laser tube. Moreover, most machine equipped with a RF tube would have a beam expander installed so it provides an excellence quality for engraving. That's why Epilog laser machine can do better engraving job! Know the trick now? Sheee....

Back to your question:
Under the manufacturer parameters menu on LaserCad, there is a setting for laser mode. You should select "RF", either pre-ignition or without it depends on your tube.

Then, set the frequency to "5000" as opposite to "20,000" which is default for CO2 laser tube.

The next step is to connect the PWM output from the DSP to the Pin3 and Pin4 for PWM input (correct me if it is not the case). The RF tube doesn't need "TTL" to enable the tube but only drive by the PWM.

You may want to bypass the key or interlock which is used for safety protection.

Good luck and write back to me see how it work out.


Marco