Sorry, I do not have access to that board, so no way to figure out the setup

I ran several tests to determine optimal height from the work piece for best laser focus. At that point, all I needed to do was ensure my Z height matched that value for every project. The laser focal point does not change as long as it stays a consistent height above the work piece, then it will remain in focus. Your CAD software can adjust this on 3-D work surfaces as long as your post processor and software allow for it.

Hi there! Generally I use Vectric VCarve Pro. I have used Fusion 360 but the learning curve is steep. Both have excellent features.

Hi there! I use Vectric VCarve Pro with the laser plug in. Works great!

If you mean the magnetic one, it comes with all the OPT lasers. Its very, very cool!

Lol. The arm was actually a connector piece for my aluminum dock that was just extra. It was 3” by 3”. Worked great until the shop fire.

@@silverharbourwoodworks6584 I hate to hear about the fire sir, I have been in those shoes... Not fun! I was able to build something that I think will work. I still am in the process of getting everything configured. Hopefully all comes together and I can add this laser to the tools for the cnc

Hmmm. I apologize but my shop burned down last year and I haven’t had a CNC since. I am awaiting my replacement, hopefully soon. I believe you may need to edit the main screen to reference the laser screen. If you post in the ESS forum, Andy is an awesome resource.

@@silverharbourwoodworks6584 - Sorry to hear about your shop burning down . I hope that you are back before too long. Good luck.

That board is only needed with Mach3. Mach4 has built in laser controls. I did buy the Vectric module as I am helping develop the Post Processors. Or I was until my shop burned down. Once my new system is here, I will continue that work.

​@@silverharbourwoodworks6584 After a car accident? Good lord man. Here is wishing you the very best in future. I am indeed a Mach3 user. My motion control board may not work with Mach4. I am trying to broaden my scope of possible output. Just putting my sign out on the nearby well traveled road actually. Hope I don't get more than I am capable of but something would be better than nothing. Best regards from Kingston On.

Yea…it’s been an “awesome” last year and a half. Add COVID to it and it’s a perfect trifecta of crap. Here’s hoping for a better 2021-22 for all of us!

I was using the Avid Plug and PLay electronics, which uses an Ethernet SmoothStepper. Since the shop fire destroyed it, my CanCam CNC will have a Masso controller

Finding 0/0/0 takes 30 sec. I was explaining at the time, which slowed me down. When you start the Gcode, it moves to 0/0/0 then moves to the start of the Gcode, which isn’t 0/0/0. Where it starts really depends on the Gcode generator you use. It will never start at 0/0/0 though. For me 0/0/0 is the near left corner. You can set it to be anything. It is simply a reference point for the software to locate all other coordinates from. This style of laser is not good for cutting acrylic. Use a fibre or CO2 laser for that.

I'm wondering the same thing...

Sorry for the delay! That mount was an L bracket for a boat lift made of aluminum I had. I drilled holes the same width as the extrusion channels and used T-nuts to secure.

I’m sorry but these are diode lasers. CO2 lasers require a mirror array, cooling, venting and a lot more power. Very different setup and very hard to add to a CNC

Hi Jordan. I’ll do my best to help, unfortunately my shop burned to the ground in a fire last month and I’m in the process of trying to rebuild. What difficulties are you having?

@@silverharbourwoodworks6584 so sorry to hear about that this year couldnt get any worse!!!

@@barrybumfroyd8502 Hey Jordan! I'm in the same boat with the same machine, were you ever able to get the laser up and running? If so would you be able to share some intel with me? Shoot me an email at [email protected]

Hi there, I’m very sorry but unfortunately my shop suffered a fire 2 weeks ago and burned completely, including all of my equipment. I will try to help, but with a shop at all it will all have to be from my head. This sounds like the laser has a gateway. In that case, you will set up the 12v to one pin and map that to the Laser Gate in Mach. The PWM will connect to a different pin and will be mapped to the Laser PWM in Mach . The ground, obviously goes to the grounding pin Port 3 Pin 18 typically. I don’t know your breakout board. My suggestion is to do this all in Mach4, not Mach3.

Silver Harbour Woodworks THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU! I am very sorry to hear about your shop.

Sorry, I have never used Artcsm. I use Vectric VCarve Pro.

Hi Cristi Cioaba. Artcam 2018 has an option for a Laser-toolpath. But! You will not be able to use it on a common DIY-CNC with Mach3/4 because the output file has a different format. Instead, you can setup your laser as a simple tool in your Artcam Toolbase and reuse it at any time again. Just create a new tool and fill in the needed laser parameters where, if you use spindle control on your machine, the spindle speed will be the output power of your laser. Use something like 0.02mm or 0.03mm tool diameter, 0.01mm for step-down and 0.01mm stepover. The feed rates you have to adjust the same way as you have to do with conventional machining, they have to fit your laser power and material. I'm currently trying to find a way how to use a kind of "virtual ATC" to vary the laser power within one job be able to cut and engrave, or engrave with various intensity without need of seperate toolpaths.... But... that's work in progress....

No problem at all! I’ve tested it a fair bit, the only thing I haven’t tried is something that switches power back and forth a lot, such as a picture. The command to change power might take a couple milliseconds to process, so I’m wondering how that will be handled. If you email me at [email protected], I can send you the post processor.

@@silverharbourwoodworks6584 Thank you so much. I sent you an email. I will send you some information on how to enable and disable using an additional pin. That is exactly where I am having an issue. Espeically when doing multiple passes, the laser does not turn off/on and gets off track due to the delay. I was able to have instant on/off by interacting with an additional enable pin between the laser controller and the ESS. Thanks again!

Shane Elliott thanks. Yes I discuss this in the video. You do not need to actually physically connect another wire or pin, but you need to assign one in Mach4. This is the laser gate, which can be mapped to any free pin and port. Again, no physical connection is needed.

Hi Galank! You said your spindle didn't turn off...did you mean your laser? Your spindle should not be turning on when you are lasering. If you meant laser, then there could be a couple of reasons for it. Are you using Mach4? If so, what design software are you using to produce the G-code? I suspect a post-processor issue. In Mach4, the M62/63 commands are used to turn on and off the laser. They need to be followed by the port (output port) you have assigned to your laser. FOr example, to turn on the laser in Mach4, you would use M62P5 for me, because my laser is set up on Output#5. To turn it off, M63P5 would be used. So have a look at your G-code. When the move between objects occurs, there should be an M63P? before the move command. If not, your post-processor needs to be corrected. Now, if you are using Mach3, then this does not apply. If you are using Mach3, let me know and I'll change my advice for that.

Depends on what the thickness is and the material. 3-5 mm, yes. Thicker, no.

@@silverharbourwoodworks6584 thank you

Yep, got it working very well. In the process of organizing and filming videos and getting a how-to organized.

What problems are you having?

Not sure what I’m doing wrong. What pins did you use? Not sure if I have Mach4 setup correctly when it comes to programming. I am not very savvy

Also what post processor are you using?

HANS ROHR I am working on a post processor for Aspire and VCarve Pro with Vectric. We’re working through a few issues we are resolving. I am using Port3 Pin 18 for ground and Pin 17 for PWM. Describe the problem to me and I’ll help if I can.

Henry Fitzthum no, it would be an output. It’s really hard to say with an unnamed laser. That’s why I stopped using the Endurance laser, the control board was very haphazard and very difficult to troubleshoot when something went wrong. I recommend OPT lasers now. Very professional, quite a good price and well supported.

maybe something is missing .. either needs extra wiring... or driver which I thought the driver was already incorporated, cause it has a circuit board on top with fan.. it's just sad that the ebay seller couldn't provide anymore details this the link to laser module I brought www.ebay.com/itm/264676809251?ViewItem=&item=264676809251

Yes I was wondering that... Cause when i Google it.. This is my first laser setup.. I built my cnc router table using wantai kit.. Thought be cool to add laser.. I seen the same laser driver... but it had an extra plug... so I question Ebay seller.. if any extra wires are needed They sent me a picture of unit with wires labeled positive.. negative.. pmw.. I thought this should be easy.. Other vlogs I seen had 2 wires to breakout board not 1.. I just sent another message to Ebay seller.. if I need anything else to make this work.. I also just message the manufacture See what interesting reply I receive back.. If nothing I will move forward from experience Would you recommend PMW or TLL driver.. or one that has options for for both

@@henryfitzthum7563 PWM is the way to go if your control system for the CNC will produce the PWM signal. My ESS will do so. You need something to produce the PWM signal, otherwise you will have to use TTL which is essentially off/on.

@@silverharbourwoodworks6584 Great, thanks a lot. I will do some research.

The two wires into the laser control board go to pins 17 and 18 (GND) on Port 3 of the ESS. I use a breakout board attached to Port 3 to make it easier to access.

Sorry for the long delay. I was in a serious car accident that took me away from everything and am slowly working my way back again! Yes the wiring is to any pin on port 3 that is free and to Pin 18 (GND). I have a breakout board plugged into Port 3 which makes accessing the pins easier. The power levels are generated by the ESS and Mach4 (I left Mach3 behind because the laser controls are MUCH better in Mach4.

I'm afraid I can't help you with that board as I am unfamiliar with its design. The M10 and M11 codes will not open a relay. the relay must already be on for the M10 and M11 codes to work. Relays are opened to provide power to the laser and shut off the power.

Hi Elson, Sorry for the long delay. I was in a serious car accident that took me away from everything for some time. Slowly coming back now. I am not in a Whatsapp group for CNC activities. Sorry. But please follow me here. I'll be beginning the updates again soon!

@@silverharbourwoodworks6584 ok. i hope you be fine. God bless you