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| Populated Controller Board |
I finally found some free time to populate one of the prototype PCBs I got in last week. I am very happy with the way they turned out. Once populated, it was so simple to swap out my old moshidraw board for this one.
The video below demonstrates how easy it is to swap boards. (sorry about the shaky camera) The best part is, once the boards are swapped ALL the stock hardware is still fully functional (optical end-stops). And it is functional with mach3/LinuxCNC! I've had a lot of fun cutting with my laser cutter now that I can use a dependable piece of software. It feels like a new machine. I plan on posting a step-by-step guide to setting up mach3 for this board. Then I need to upload my post-processor and a parts list and eventually the schematics. I love open source!
This is great. I recently bought the same laser and want to convert to Mach3 asap. When do you think you'll sell the boards? and how much? Also, what would it take to add 1 or 2 more axes? :-)
ReplyDeleteThanks tbone. As it stands right now, they will be about $100. If I could get a larger batch done (maybe through a kickstarter campaign) I could possibly reduce that a bit. Getting this board to do 3 axis is simple, just add some of the missing parts. (I will probably sell a few fully populated at a slightly increased cost) You could manually wire a 4th axis into some of the unused outputs. In this version there aren't any breakout pins for this. In the next version I plan to have support for the 4th axis. I should either have a kickstarter started or a link to buy (via paypal) up in about a week.
DeleteHmm.. How does something like this compare to the controllers sold on ebay and LightObject? Those are cheaper of course since they're done in larger batches...but are there feature diffs I should think about? I'm learning as I go here, so sorry if these are dumb questions :)
ReplyDeleteTaking a page from the RepRap scene, I think an expandable board would be cool that could support a few things:
1) Water temp
2) Min and Max stops to prevent crashes
3) Interrupts for E-stop, Water Flow, door safety trigger
Just some thoughts :) Are you familiar with Ramps/Rambo? It's open source so the schematics are out there if you're interested...
Well, good stuff - what city are you in? Just curious.
Those are legitimate questions. Some of the most common ways people convert their laser cutters are, parallel port break-out boards and stepper drivers, DSP boards, and the all-in one boards (like the TB6560 boards).
DeleteCompanies like probotix sell isolated breakout boards and stepper driver boards. Once you have all the boards you just need to wire everything in. This was the direction I was heading in when I decided I wasn't really wanting to run new wires and hack something together for end-stops. This method can be done around $110-$120.
The DSP method also has similar wiring concerns but a MUCH bigger price tag. One benefit of this is that no parallel port is needed.
Boards like the TB6560 board found on ebay are probably the cheapest way to convert your laser cutter. They still have the same wiring issue and some boards I read poor reviews on. That's not to say they all are bad. These boards have the benefit that some have relays on them to control pumps or air valves.
As a proud owner of a 3D printer I am very familiar with Ramps. :) In fact, my board is a kind-of hybrid Ramps/breakout board.
Basically my main goals were:
1) Be drop in compatible
2) Work with mach3/LinuxCNC
3) Be competitively priced to other breakout boards.
The first two were priority and the third I came close. I really wanted to be priced as cheaply as the TB6560 boards on ebay, but I don't yet have the quantities to support that.
I like your suggestions and am considering doing a more "delux" version with a lot of the suggestions you mentioned.
Anyway, my reply was a little long.... :)
(Oh yeah, I'm in Provo, UT)
Hi Chris,
ReplyDeleteI played around with Moshi 13 last night. It's WAY better than 9.6 that came w/ the machine, but it still um...sucks for the most part.
Just so I understand, if I switch controllers and run with Mach/LinuxCNC then I won't be able to engrave...only cut. Correct? Is it a fair statement that the only way to engrave with this machine is using Moshi? I'm a little fuzzy on this part as you can tell.
That's true. There has been some limited success with LinuxCNC and controlling the laser in a raster mode(engraving). You could technically use a parallel port controller to do the engraving, it is just a matter of someone writing a piece of software. But for now, you are correct, the best results for engraving are probably with the Moshi software. Another reason I wanted my cabling left intact. If I want to engrave it takes me only a minute to have Moshidraw controlling my laser.
DeleteDo you have boards ready to go? I think I'm interested. I upgraded MoshiDraw but getting some very mixed results. Are you able to get MoshiDraw to consistently control your laser? Sometimes it works for me, sometimes it moves across the bed and crashes, and sometimes it just sits there for a few secs then returns to 0,0. A bit frustrating.
ReplyDeleteMy Moshidraw experience sounds very similar to yours. Usually I fight with it for a while to get it to even stay connected to my laser. Sometimes when I turn on my machine and the homing sequence starts my steppers just shudder. Very frustrating.
DeleteI have mostly populated a couple boards and I am waiting on stepper driver modules that should arrive today. I will update the website tonight with a products tab at the top, and have a Paypal "Buy now" button.
Cool, I'll look for it later. A few more questions, if you don't mind:
ReplyDeleteHow much for a "kit" vs the assembled board?
How much for a fully-assembled kit with the Z axis populated too?
thanks.
Good idea, I'll go over the costs and post multiple pricing levels.
DeleteIs this design open? Are you willing to share the schematics, code and BOM?
ReplyDeleteYes, it will be an open design. The BOM is available under the downloads tab. The code for the post processor is also available in the downloads tab. I have been meaning to get the schematics up but have been super busy lately. I will try to get them up tonight.
DeleteI saw in an above comment that you are thinking of a Kickstarter campaign. Have you thought about sending it to Seeed studio for manufacture? Might be a lower cost (though you might have to front a little money if people promise to buy one and don't) and a faster time to market.
ReplyDeleteThe first prototype batch I did I went through Seeed studio. The real savings would be to get the components in large qty. A kickstarter makes that initial purchase a little easier. For now I am just selling in small batches on the site here.
DeleteWhen do you hope to get your boards back in stock? I like the design very simple. Right now I have full outboard drivers and a breakout board to control my plasma bed and I think this might help on my next milling bed. http://www.flickr.com/photos/daverandolph/sets/72157629133676543/
ReplyDeleteI have made a few minor changes to the silkscreen to make the board more user friendly. I hope to send them out within a day or so. That would put the PCBs back first part of the year.
DeleteOnce populated, it was so simple to swap out my old moshidraw board for this one.
ReplyDeleteRouter Milling