troubleshooting workflow for laser firing

Electronics related to CNC

troubleshooting workflow for laser firing

Postby thedudevt » Wed Aug 29, 2012 3:26 pm

Hello All,

I bought a kit of 2.x laser parts from Bart in February, and I'm finally ready to test the tube. I got sidetracked a bit by an Ultimaker 3D printer.

I'm using Bart's laser interface/driver PCB, Mach3, and a 40W HV supply from LightObject.

I think I have everything wired correctly, but the tube doesn't fire when i send an E1P1 or M10P1 command with a move command after.

Anyone have a checklist for the interlocks and requirements? i'd like to test with the HV supply unplugged if possible.

I'm thinking:

test TL output from the interface board while running g-code
test e-stop switch at the DB9 connector
test cover switch at the DB9 connector
test flow meter (not sure how) at connector with pump on and off.
SPST switch on panel, what position? try both
momentary button? try

Thanks,

Kyle
thedudevt
 
Posts: 4
Joined: Wed Aug 29, 2012 12:14 pm

First Test

Postby twehr » Wed Aug 29, 2012 4:04 pm

Just in case...

The first test should be to press the Test button on the PS and see if it fires the tube.

If that is successful...

Take the Water Protect (on the laser ps) direct to ground and see if you can use the interface to fire the laser.
Then add in one safety feature at a time, making sure you have them (all normally open) wired in series to ground, testing along the way.
tim
--
"The answer is usually easy and obvious once you know what it is." tw

DIYLaser Blog
SemiHomemadeTools.com
twehr
 
Posts: 439
Joined: Mon May 24, 2010 4:49 pm

Re: troubleshooting workflow for laser firing

Postby thedudevt » Wed Aug 29, 2012 5:32 pm

Thanks twehr, I'll try that
thedudevt
 
Posts: 4
Joined: Wed Aug 29, 2012 12:14 pm

Re: troubleshooting workflow for laser firing

Postby thedudevt » Tue Sep 04, 2012 8:54 pm

I got my laser to fire from the control panel, my HVPS does not have a fire button. I re-wrapped the tube electrodes using Bart's wrapping method. Now I can align the mirrors and burn stuff, but I can't get it to work from Mach3.

Does anyone know how to test the output pin in mach3?
Does anyone have sample G-code?
Should I be using M3/M5 or can i use E1P1/0, and/or M10/M11?

I read about a work around using an axis direction signal to activate the laser, but I'd rather not do a hack if that's unnecessary...

Thank you,

Kyle
thedudevt
 
Posts: 4
Joined: Wed Aug 29, 2012 12:14 pm


Return to Electronics

Who is online

Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 9 guests

cron