Converting K40IV CO2 Laser machine to DSP

[Hobby]

Hi all,

This week i have buy a CO2 machine on eBay DC-K40IV, the software (Moshidraw), is very bad and not user friendly.

I see on the lightobjet shop the DSP for using with coredraw or CNC card for Mach3.

But the DSP or CNC card is ok for the version 4 of the machine ?
it is necessary to change other components? (power supply, stepper motor ?)

The DSP ou CNC card, work on vital machine ? (Moshidraw, not).
(Because i use a mac with parallel desktop)

Best regards
Olivier

[twehr]

Hi all,

This week i have buy a CO2 machine on eBay DC-K40IV, the software (Moshidraw), is very bad and not user friendly.

I see on the lightobjet shop the DSP for using with coredraw or CNC card for Mach3.

But the DSP or CNC card is ok for the version 4 of the machine ?
it is necessary to change other components? (power supply, stepper motor ?)

The DSP ou CNC card, work on vital machine ? (Moshidraw, not).
(Because i use a mac with parallel desktop)

Best regards
Olivier

I converted a Chinese 40w (w/MoshiDraw) laser last year. I tried to go to Mach3 and a general cnc card, but the experience was not successful. I could cut OK but engraving with Mach 3 is nearly impossible. I then upgraded to the DSP from LightObject. Once I got it going, it was fabulous.

That being said, you will likely have some issues with setting it up. Nearly everyone does. Not that it is so difficult to do, but knowing exactly what to do is not that easy. The instructions are poor. HOWEVER, having done it once myself, I can help you a lot. When you do it, let me know and I will send you a config file that you can start with and help you get through it.

What you need:
DSP Controller & software

• 2 stepper motor drives
  24v PS (yours is likely 110 to 220 converted and will work, but if you can spend the extra $40 or so, a new one is nice)
  Laser PS (your will likely work here as well, but I doubt that it is PWM, which is the ideal configuration for the DSP. If you use the one you have, you will still be controlling the power manually and connecting from the DSP is a bit trickier.)

The above combination is certainly not cheap - IF you got it all, you would be at about $820 or so. At the very least, you need the controller an drives ($520-$550). A lot of money to put into what was probably a $1200 machine to begin with. But, if you want a usable system it is the best way to go.

Note, I have subsequently ripped everything out of my 40w Chinese laser and put it into a home built laser. The DSP truly shines when in a machine that is well designed. I now use the DSP and my new laser for up to 12 hours of continuous work and both perform great.

If you decide to go ahead (and I hope you do), please feel free to contact me and I will do what I can to help you.

Good luck!

[Hobby]

Thanks for your response.

2 stepper motor drives

I can use the existing motor stepper ?

Best regards
Olivier

[twehr]

Thanks for your response.

2 stepper motor drives

I can use the existing motor stepper ?

Best regards
Olivier

The existing motors should be fine. You need the drives - like these: http://www.lightobject.com/1-Axis-CNC-L ... -P451.aspx

[TeacDance]

Hi

i find this discussion about converting K40IV machine i have that same machine and i thin to change that lightobject dsp board what all i need? i collect to shopping cart but can you help at i get all what i need that conversion

1 pcs Commerical DSP CO2 Laser Engraving/ Cutter Controller. Support CorelDraw & AutoCad

2 pcs 1-Axis CNC/ Laser Machine Stepping Motor Driver (TB6560)

1 pcs DC 24V 15A Switching Power Supply. Good for CNC Stepping Motor Drive

Is that all? im not order 40W PWM CO2 Laser Power Supply this time maybe later when i get all other stuff working i hope at i can control laser on/off this board and i control manual laser power is that possible.

[twehr]

Hi

i find this discussion about converting K40IV machine i have that same machine and i thin to change that lightobject dsp board what all i need? i collect to shopping cart but can you help at i get all what i need that conversion

1 pcs Commerical DSP CO2 Laser Engraving/ Cutter Controller. Support CorelDraw & AutoCad

2 pcs 1-Axis CNC/ Laser Machine Stepping Motor Driver (TB6560)

1 pcs DC 24V 15A Switching Power Supply. Good for CNC Stepping Motor Drive

Is that all? im not order 40W PWM CO2 Laser Power Supply this time maybe later when i get all other stuff working i hope at i can control laser on/off this board and i control manual laser power is that possible.

You can PROBABLY use your current laser power supply, but not knowing what that is, I can't say for sure. If your supply is not what is considered the current standard (like the ones here on LightObject.com), you may want to consider changing.

[TeacDance]

You can PROBABLY use your current laser power supply, but not knowing what that is, I can't say for sure. If your supply is not what is considered the current standard (like the ones here on LightObject.com), you may want to consider changing.

first one thanxs to answer. Power supply is the machine orginal and i'm not sure is that standard supply or cheap china model i can take couple picture if some one know can i use that?

machine is outside like this
http://img.alibaba.com/photo/287129282/ ... _K40IV.jpg

after i leave job i take inside pictures

[Hobby]

Hi,

I also purchased a DC-machine K40IV in China. I completely disassembled the machine and keep only the XY mechanical motors and laser tube. I received this week, the DSP, PWM power laser, two motor controllers. I have a 24V 15A power supply. The power supply of the laser is low quality and not sure if it works with the DSP. I also ordered switch for the detection limit, I'm not sure that the optical module works with the DSP.

DSP, PSU Laser 40W, 2 x Stepper controller, 24V PSU, switch:
425$ + 235$ + 2x35$ + 45$ + 5$ = 780$ + shipping (in my case add 210$ for Belgium TAX).

I try to assembling all this mount.

Thanks
Olivier

[TeacDance]

Hi,

I also purchased a DC-machine K40IV in China. I completely disassembled the machine and keep only the XY mechanical motors and laser tube. I received this week, the DSP, PWM power laser, two motor controllers. I have a 24V 15A power supply. The power supply of the laser is low quality and not sure if it works with the DSP. I also ordered switch for the detection limit, I'm not sure that the optical module works with the DSP.

DSP, PSU Laser 40W, 2 x Stepper controller, , switch:
425$ + 235$ + 2x35$ + 45$ + 5$ = 780$ + shipping (in my case add 210$ for Belgium TAX).

I try to assembling all this mount.

Thanks
Olivier

You have same machine i think i have to do same order keep inform how you assembly go

1pcs Commerical DSP CO2 Laser Engraving/ Cutter Controller. Support CorelDraw & AutoCad = 425,00 $

1pcs 40W PWM CO2 Laser Power Supply = 235,00 $

2pcs 1-Axis CNC/ Laser Machine Stepping Motor Driver (TB6560) = 70,00 $

1pcs DC 24V 15A Switching Power Supply. Good for CNC Stepping Motor Drive = 47,50 $

1pcs A pack of 5 Micro Limit Sensor Switch C1 = 5,00 $

Shipping in finland 73,35 $

857,85 $ i hope it worth

[Tech_Marco]

Folks;

Seems more and more people buying this laser machine. I guess it's because so cheap, $500~600 on eBay. But if you're expecting it works when it came, I'm sorry that it wouldn't be the case. I know this company quite a bit as I been there 3 times and I know pretty much how this machine work. Without extremely patience with the machine & the louzy software, it's a piece of junk. We imported 20 of those and we have to remove the gut out then installed a 3-axis controller that support G-Code on Mach3. After the conversion, it's good for engraving simple art work and great for cutting. But it won't be very good to handle complicated images (engraving) like a human face graphic even with the conversion. The reason is that Mach3 is not designed for laser engraving. The only way to get nice engraving/cutting is to install the DSP card instead.

Based on what we learned from the conversion procedures, the most hardest part we found was to install a proximity limit switches (switch type). This machine comes with optical sensing units instead of the 'switch type' and it won't work well with the DSP. May be it does but the circuit board wasn't easy to understand and we didn't want to chance to damage the DSP card. So, we decided to make our parts to host the limit sensors and the air assistant nozzle. Note, with the air assistant, it can boost power by at least 30%. Without it, could cut 2.5~3mm epoxy glass but can do up to 4mm without a problem after air assistant installed. Plus, the original sensor holder is make of epoxy glass that ShenHui (the laser manufacture) make it themselves. It's very fragile and break easy.

I'm going to talk to my buddies see if he is interest to make the kit and the air assistant nozzle. The kit make it easier to install the sensor switches and it works well with the DSP card. Just clamp host unit to the rack to lock the position by tightning 2 or 3 screws.

See the machine after the conversion (not DSP but by 3axis stepper controller and driven by Mach3):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-nv1u80qgM4


Happy Holiday

Marco
(I'm in camp now)

[TeacDance]

Folks;

Seems more and more people buying this laser machine. I guess it's because so cheap, $500~600 on eBay. But if you're expecting it works when it came, I'm sorry that it wouldn't be the case. I know this company quite a bit as I been there 3 times and I know pretty much how this machine work. Without extremely patience with the machine & the louzy software, it's a piece of junk. We imported 20 of those and we have to remove the gut out then installed a 3-axis controller that support G-Code on Mach3. After the conversion, it's good for engraving simple art work and great for cutting. But it won't be very good to handle complicated images (engraving) like a human face graphic even with the conversion. The reason is that Mach3 is not designed for laser engraving. The only way to get nice engraving/cutting is to install the DSP card instead.

Based on what we learned from the conversion procedures, the most hardest part we found was to install a proximity limit switches (switch type). This machine comes with optical sensing units instead of the 'switch type' and it won't work well with the DSP. May be it does but the circuit board wasn't easy to understand and we didn't want to chance to damage the DSP card. So, we decided to make our parts to host the limit sensors and the air assistant nozzle. Note, with the air assistant, it can boost power by at least 30%. Without it, could cut 2.5~3mm epoxy glass but can do up to 4mm without a problem after air assistant installed. Plus, the original sensor holder is make of epoxy glass that ShenHui (the laser manufacture) make it themselves. It's very fragile and break easy.

I'm going to talk to my buddies see if he is interest to make the kit and the air assistant nozzle. The kit make it easier to install the sensor switches and it works well with the DSP card. Just clamp host unit to the rack to lock the position by tightning 2 or 3 screws.

See the machine after the conversion (not DSP but by 3axis stepper controller and driven by Mach3):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-nv1u80qgM4


Happy Holiday

Marco
(I'm in camp now)

Marco i just left order and is nice to hear dsp work great i hope i get help when i get items to home i order A pack of 5 Micro Limit Sensor Switch C1 is that good for this machine? if you planning design assistant nozzle inform when you get that ready you can design red spot kit too.

[TeacDance]

Hi,

I also purchased a DC-machine K40IV in China. I completely disassembled the machine and keep only the XY mechanical motors and laser tube. I received this week, the DSP, PWM power laser, two motor controllers. I have a 24V 15A power supply. The power supply of the laser is low quality and not sure if it works with the DSP. I also ordered switch for the detection limit, I'm not sure that the optical module works with the DSP.

DSP, PSU Laser 40W, 2 x Stepper controller, 24V PSU, switch:
425$ + 235$ + 2x35$ + 45$ + 5$ = 780$ + shipping (in my case add 210$ for Belgium TAX).

I try to assembling all this mount.

Thanks
Olivier

How you converting going? pictures how you do all connections.

[TeacDance]

All parts arrive finland and removing damn moshi draw

[TeacDance]

What is recommend setup for those stepper motor? all dip switch is ON position is that OK?
Is stepper motor connect right? red blue white yellow see on picture

[TeacDance]

Now all connected but some problem i have

how i can go change the parameters? i put phcad password but always it say password error!
is password change?

other problem is limit switch