DIY Laser/Electronics

Quick breakdown of main parts

• Controller and interface
  • Current plan is to incorporate a multi controller system into the design, this will allow us to start with a full working off the shelf
  • Comercial controller options
    • LightObject AWC608 Commercial DSP CO2 Laser Engraving/ Cutter Controller http://www.lightobject.com/AWC608-Commercial-DSP-CO2-Laser-Engraving-Cutter-Controller-P321.aspx
      • Support for cutting and engraving using either USB or Network interface
      • Supplied with LaserCad software
  • Open Source controller, Smoothieware firmware is the current favourite and there are a few options on hardware
    • LAOS http://redmine.laoslaser.org/projects/laos/wiki
      • LPC1769 (mbed) based, use a carrier board to plug in mbed and Pololu steeper drivers, optional I2C based display
    • Smoothieboard http://smoothieware.org http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/logxen/smoothieboard-the-future-of-cnc-motion-control
      • Also LPC1769 based but a complete custom board build around the LCP1769 chip and on board stepper drivers, Smoothiepanel I2C display is in the works
    • Custom LCP1769 based board
      • Both LAOS and Smoothieboard are LCP1769 based and can run Smoothieware but have parts like onboard stepper drivers that are not needed by our project, so building a simpler custom board around and mbed or LXPExpresso might be a cheaper option
• Multi controller interface
  • In order to interface multiple controllers we need a way to switch the connections between them. Current controller system need to connect just some of the following signals
    • Step/Direction per motor
    • Limit/Home switches
    • Laser Control
  • Plan is to use (or build a custom) old school Printer switch box
• Motors
  • Depending on the XY Gantry design depends on what motor will be required but it is expected that if we need steppers they will be NEMA 23 4A possible http://www.lightobject.com/Dual-shaft-NEMA-23-57HS22-4A-360oz-Stepper-motor-P798.aspx
• Motor drivers
  • M542H CNC Stepper Driver Support Nema17, Nema23, Nema34 Stepper Motors 1.0A-4.5A
  • 3MD560 Leadshine 3 Phase 8.4A 1-axis Stepping Motor Driver
• Motor power supply
  • Stepper are expected to run at around ~36v
  • Dual DC 36V & 24V 10A Switching Power Supply. Ideal for DSP System
• Laser power supply
  • 80W PWM CO2 Laser Power Supply (220V) http://www.lightobject.com/80W-PWM-CO2-Laser-Power-Supply-220V-P73.aspx
  • http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Pro-80W-CO2-Laser-Power-Supply-for-CO2-Laser-Engraving-Cutter-Cutting-Machine-/221284585925?pt=UK_Computing_PowerSupplies_EH&hash=item338596d1c5
• Controller power supply
  • List can likely be pulled off the Motor power supply with suitable DC-DC regulators
• RFID access and logging

Smaller part that may need to be looked at

• Limit switches
• Home Switches
• LED Lighting ring
• Door interlock
• Air interlock
• Cooling interlock