Welcome to OpenBuilds Community

Signup today and join in on the fun!

Sign Up

Laser V

Discussion in 'Laser Cutters' started by Robert Hummel, Nov 30, 2013.

  1. Robert Hummel

    Robert Hummel Custom Builder Staff Member Builder

    Awesome I will check this out and try to implement it into the NC file creation process, sure hope it works :)
    Last edited: Dec 19, 2013
    kram242 likes this.
  2. Shane Evans

    Shane Evans New Builder

    Hi Robert,

    I'm a HS CAD teacher in Howell NJ and I came across this build and absolutely love it! I was looking for a good project for my students and i think this is it! Would you be willing to share your schematic, firmware, and software with me?

    Thanks in advance!
    Shane
  3. Robert Hummel

    Robert Hummel Custom Builder Staff Member Builder

    I would be glad to help but if this is a class project then safety is a must as lasers are no joke and I'm sure you know this. I advise eye safety as a must before exposure.
    All of the info needed is posted in the build or will be when it is complete.
    If you decide to follow along and build your own rendition and you are stumped at some point feel free to ask.
    Enjoy and good luck :D
  4. Robert Hummel

    Robert Hummel Custom Builder Staff Member Builder

    image.jpg
    Arduino nano/A4988 driver board stock and my power supply arrived today :D
    On with the build ;)
    Last edited: Dec 19, 2013
  5. kram242

    kram242 OpenBuilds Team Staff Member Builder

    Nice! Where did you get these from Robert?
  6. Robert Hummel

    Robert Hummel Custom Builder Staff Member Builder

    I ordered them from eBay in bulk to try and put together a few plug and play kits for anyone interested.
    Spent the night with the iron puting all the pins in place and programing the Arduino's

    If it goes well I will be ordering more in larger qty in turn lowering the price on the kits in the long run :)
  7. kram242

    kram242 OpenBuilds Team Staff Member Builder

    Great Robert! I will get mine from you when you post the link in the parts list :)
  8. Robert Hummel

    Robert Hummel Custom Builder Staff Member Builder

    Oh! Ok I thought that you had taken care of that and ordered some already.
    What I will do is pack an arduino and two stepsticks together and ship them ASAP, don't see shipping being that much as they charge by weight now, your driver board was only $17 to ship :)
    Works out good cause from what I was told, $17-20 would be about the rate for anywhere in the states that the kit would ship.
    I have to figure out how to sell them as I'm not making money off the items really, I only charge for my board and throw the arduino and stepsticks in at cost.
    I have a PayPal account and think I will use e-mail and the money transfer option for now till I get more situated.
    My worry really is them charging me a fee if I set myself up as a merchant.
    I want to keep the costs as low as possible and don't want to pass on anymore cost to the kit

    I have got the cost of making the 1 amp driver board shields down to the $25 mark and I'm hopping a larger order of the arduino's /stepsticks will allow for a full kit to come in under the $50 mark :D
    Last edited: Dec 20, 2013
    kram242 likes this.
  9. Tim King

    Tim King New Builder


    I agree with using crosshatch in inkscape. Thats what I do with my EggBot, as well as with my laser tabel I built using the EiBotBoard controller. I do love your approach, though!! Mine is no where near as nice, but then again, I didn't have any OpenRail to use, either. Here is a quick video of my machine in action, before I used crosshatching: and here is a longer video cutting some 6mm black depron:

    You have made me look at designing a bigger platform, with a more powerful laser. You design is very nice and is along the lines of what I want. I do want to change out the EiBotBoard controller for something I can feed G-code into, though...so I can draw in SketchUp and use SketchuCam as well as Linux CNC..since I am more comfortable with that tool set than I am with inkscape..I never was an artist!

    Tim
    AG4RZ
  10. Robert Hummel

    Robert Hummel Custom Builder Staff Member Builder

    Well thank you for sharing that is awesome!
    And yes having the v-groove makes things a lot more easy and clean.
    I'm working with the g-code now,
    I have the eggbot extensions installed traced the bitmap,removed bitmap, hatched and now running the g-code extensions to see what happens :)
    Fingers crossed
    I figured building a shield where the arduino and motor drivers where removable would save money in the long run, burn a board swap :)
    If you need any help feel free to ask but I don't think you need any by the looks of things haha!
  11. Robert Hummel

    Robert Hummel Custom Builder Staff Member Builder

    We'll the hatching seems to work or I should say it's coming along lol
    Using a laser with a dot about .2 of a mm takes a lot of processing :p

    On another note I have assembled the arduino and stepsticks, will pack and ship Monday with the other orders just finishing up 2 driver boards :D
  12. kram242

    kram242 OpenBuilds Team Staff Member Builder

    Nice job Robert, thanks for the update
  13. matt_o_70

    matt_o_70 Well-Known Builder

    Robert,
    If you are you offering kits for sale - I am interested.
  14. Robert Hummel

    Robert Hummel Custom Builder Staff Member Builder

    Ty for your interest in my build :)

    I have placed another order as my stock that I just received didn't last long.
    I have all the materials on hand for the driver board and will have about 3 extra on hand when the Arduino's and stepsticks arrive.
    As soon as a kit is available I will let you know and we can arrange shipping/payment :)
  15. Shane Evans

    Shane Evans New Builder

    Hi Robert,

    Thank you for the feedback! Yes, I agree on the safety aspect! I drill that into my students from day one. Ha.

    Would I be able to order 1 or 2 complete kits from you once you have them together?
  16. Robert Hummel

    Robert Hummel Custom Builder Staff Member Builder

    Yep! Not a problem
    I will message you when they are ready to ship :)
  17. kram242

    kram242 OpenBuilds Team Staff Member Builder

    The parts are coming in! :D
    Robert the board is awesome bro I can't thank you enough and can't wait to be up and running.
    You did a GREAT job on this board its feels like glass :)
    This is going to be fun!
    DSC03257.JPG
    DSC03259.JPG
    lexluther and bobt like this.
  18. Robert Hummel

    Robert Hummel Custom Builder Staff Member Builder

    No problem :)
    Happy to see it made with out any issues.
    I use a fast dry colored clear coat then give it a little polish before assembling the board.
    Can't wait to see what you put together :D
    That laser package you got looks awesome may just have to grab 1 lol
  19. Robert Hummel

    Robert Hummel Custom Builder Staff Member Builder

    Blue seems to be the only color being requested so I think that will be the default color.

    The other colors will still be available but on request, a 2 day wait time will be needed to build and test it

    Boards before polishing and assembly
    image.jpg
    kram242 likes this.
  20. kram242

    kram242 OpenBuilds Team Staff Member Builder

    I need a paypal email address from you.
    Its really nice but i am having trouble know how it all goes together. I have most of it figured out (I think) but I am not sure which way the lens is supposed to be facing as it can fit both ways it seems. I have an email in to the seller and once I find out I will add it to the pics of my build.

    Robert does an awesome job on these boards guys get yours asap :)
  21. Robert Hummel

    Robert Hummel Custom Builder Staff Member Builder

    Ty bud :)
    Your lens should have slots in it on 1 side.
    The slots face out or in your case I would say to you the slots go into the adjusting cap :)
  22. kram242

    kram242 OpenBuilds Team Staff Member Builder

    Thanks for the tip :)
  23. Robert Hummel

    Robert Hummel Custom Builder Staff Member Builder

    Still waiting on a part and popping into the plexiglass shop tomorrow :)
    Killing some time building the second batch of Laser V boards :D
    image.jpg
    kram242 likes this.
  24. Shane Evans

    Shane Evans New Builder

    They look great!!! I can't wait to get my hands on a few boards!
  25. Robert Hummel

    Robert Hummel Custom Builder Staff Member Builder

    Ty :)
    The boards are done I'm just waiting on the micro stepping jumpers to arrive.
    I will be sending them to open builds ASAP so keep an eye out as there will only be ten available.

    Note: you will need your arduino nano and stepsticks so pre order them off eBay or where you prefer.

    There will be support/hex file under Laser V in the controller section of the forum.

    Can't wait to see what you guys come up with :)
  26. Frank G Haymes

    Frank G Haymes Well-Known Builder

  27. Robert Hummel

    Robert Hummel Custom Builder Staff Member Builder

    I am not sure what kind of performance your looking for as in speed and quality of cut.
    808nm is better suited for cutting rather then visible spectrums but in order to get clean none chard cuts you would be better off going with a 40w china tube and mirrors.

    Another thing to keep in mind is the lens or manor you choose to focus the beam.

    So I'm not going to say it can't and I have cut wood with 1w 445nm, just took for ever and the end results were not that great.

    Foam, thin plastics, paper, nylon things like this I can say yes and at bearable speeds :)

    Just my 2 cents, hope it helped ;)
  28. Jay

    Jay New Builder

    Hi Robert, nice Project!

    Is it possible for you to upload the Sketchup-Files? That would be very helpfull and time saving.

    Greetings from Germany Jay
  29. Robert Hummel

    Robert Hummel Custom Builder Staff Member Builder

    Ty :)
    I can upload the .skd files but you and others may need to mod them as my motors mounting holes are none standard nema layout.
    They are nema 11 as for the ratings .312 amps 4.7mm shaft
    As for the rest like belt clips and plates you should be good to go :)

    I will post them ASAP and add as I go along.

    Germany!
    That's awesome! so many builders from around the world
    Public Do Omens and kram242 like this.
  30. kram242

    kram242 OpenBuilds Team Staff Member Builder

Share This Page