K40 40W CO2 Laser Cutter: Difference between revisions

VisualWikitext

Revision as of 22:04, 24 October 2019

Overview

Generic Chinese "K40" laser cutter bought off eBay. It has been upgraded from the proprietary motherboard/firmware/software to an open source toolchain using a 3D printer Smoothieware compatible motherboard.

Here is the exact item that was bought on eBay:
High Precise 40W Co2 USB Laser Engraving Cutting Machine Engraver 300x200mm | eBay

Software

LaserWeb

TODO add description and possiblly a page for a tutorial

LaserWeb/LaserWeb4: Collaborative effort on the next version of LaserWeb / CNCWeb | GitHub

Inkscape Plugin

Forest Darling wrote an Inkscape plugin that allows SVG files to be exported to G-code that can drive the laser cutter. It uses specially named "layers" in Inkscape to determine how the vectors will be engraved or images will be rastered.

Firmware

We use the standard stable Smoothieware "firmware.bin" available here:

https://github.com/Smoothieware/Smoothieware/tree/edge/FirmwareBin

Instructions on how to flash the firmware:

http://smoothieware.org/getting-smoothie

http://smoothieware.org/flashing-smoothie-firmware

Upgrades

Smoothieboard

Actually an MKS SBASE which is a Smoothieware firmware compatible Smoothieboard clone:

older MKS SBASE V1.1 that was donated and installed in the K40

$60.99 -- KINGPRINT NEW Smoothieware Controller Board MKS SBASE V1.3 32bit Controller Panel Board for 3D Printer

MKS SBASE V1.1/V1.2 documentation by pixel3design-hub on GitHub

MKS SBASE V1.0-??? documentation by makerbase-mks on GitHub

NOTE: post says there is no documentation yet for V1.3, I don't think it's very different from a user standpoint though:
MKS-SBASE v1.3 Schematic · Issue #39 · makerbase-mks/MKS-SBASE | GitHub

TODO: document the custom breakout board Forest Darling acid etched to adapt the original ribbon cable for the X axis and homing switches to 3D printer friendly cables. This special FPC connector was needed:

TE Connectivity AMP Connectors 1-84534-2

Low Voltage Power Supplies

Dedicated power supplies (not piggy-backing off the laser high voltage power supply):

$17.31 -- Delta Electronics PMT-24V50W1AA

$15.45 -- Delta Electronics PMC-05V015W1AA

For wiring the 5V power supply to the Raspberry Pi's Micro-USB port:

$1.95 -- Adafruit Industries LLC 2727

$1.02 -- MPD (Memory Protection Devices) EP502A

Additional Power Outlets

$7.48 -- uxcell 5 Pcs AC 125 15A Power Connector 3 Terminals to US 3 Pin Socket

Air Assist

$21.50 -- 18mm Laser Head w/ Air Assisted. Ideal for K40 Machine

$29.99 -- TEN-HIGH Diam 18mm ZnSe Focal Lens for CO2 Laser Cutting, Focal Length of 2"/50.8mm

$10.50 -- 5X8 Silicon Flex Tube for Air Assistance or Water Cooling(10ft)

$46.61 -- Active Aqua Commercial Air Pump, 8 Outlets, 60W, 70 L/min

Water Pump

The included water pump is noisy and pathetic, and a replacement is very inexpensive:

$23.95 -- EcoPlus 728310 Eco 396 Fixed Flow Submersible/Inline Pump 396 GPH

$3.12 -- Banjo HB050-025 Polypropylene Hose Fitting, Adapter, 1/2" NPT Male x 1/4" Barbed

Ventilation

NOTE: This has not been tested! This is a proposed attachment that allows the use of an in-line pump:
$5.99 -- POWERTEC 70150 Rectangular Dust Hood for 4-Inch Hose

Replacement Parts

Laser Power Supply

$65.54 -- 40W Power Supply for CO2 Laser Tubes Engraver Cutter Machine AC 110V

A higher quality alternative (with a different pinout) from a reputable US seller (still made in China):

$205.00 -- 20W~45W PWM CO2 Laser Power Supply (AC110V) | LightObject

High Voltage Cable

$9.50 -- Laser Power Supply Cable Repair Kit | LightObject

Laser Tube

"KH Laser" 40W CO2 laser tube photos:

Certificate of Conformity (top)
Certificate of Conformity (bottom)
QR code
water contamination in CO2 gas portion of glassware (1/2)
water contamination in CO2 gas portion of glassware (2/2)

@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
+[[File:K40_Laser_Cutter_Stock_Photo.jpg|thumb|Generic "K40" laser cutter stock photo]]
+[[File:K40_40W_CO2_Laser_Cutter_Photo.jpg|thumb|Make Nashville's upgraded K40]]
+[[File:K40_Bed_Closeup.jpg|thumb|working area of the laser]]
+[[File:K40_Upgraded_Interface_Panel_Closeup.jpg|thumb|upgraded interface panel closeup]]
+[[File:K40_Upgraded_Interface_Panel_Wiring.jpg|thumb|upgraded interface panel wiring]]
+[[File:K40_MKS_SBASE_Wiring.jpg|thumb|MKS SBASE V1.1 mounted and wired]]
+[[File:MKS_SBASE_V1.1_Pinout_Diagram.jpg|thumb|MKS SBASE V1.1 pinout diagram]]
+[[File:MKS_SBASE_V1.1_Dimensional_Drawing.jpg|thumb|MKS SBASE V1.1 outline and hole pattern diagram]]
+[[File:MKS_SBASE_V1.3_Dimensional_Diagram.png|thumb|MKS SBASE V1.3 outline, plug, and hole pattern diagram]]
+== Overview ==
+Generic Chinese "K40" laser cutter bought off eBay. It has been upgraded from the proprietary motherboard/firmware/software to an open source toolchain using a 3D printer Smoothieware compatible motherboard.
+Here is the exact item that was bought on eBay:<br/>
+[https://www.ebay.com/itm/172333949152 High Precise 40W Co2 USB Laser Engraving Cutting Machine Engraver 300x200mm | eBay]
+== Software ==
+=== LaserWeb ===
+TODO add description and possiblly a page for a tutorial
+[https://github.com/LaserWeb/LaserWeb4 LaserWeb/LaserWeb4: Collaborative effort on the next version of LaserWeb / CNCWeb | GitHub]
+=== Inkscape Plugin ===
+Forest Darling wrote an Inkscape plugin that allows SVG files to be exported to G-code that can drive the laser cutter. It uses specially named "layers" in Inkscape to determine how the vectors will be engraved or images will be rastered.
+== Firmware ==
+We use the standard stable Smoothieware "firmware.bin" available here:
+https://github.com/Smoothieware/Smoothieware/tree/edge/FirmwareBin
+Instructions on how to flash the firmware:
+http://smoothieware.org/getting-smoothie
+http://smoothieware.org/flashing-smoothie-firmware
 == Upgrades ==
-reputable brand name 24V 2.1A 50W power supply:<br/>
+=== Smoothieboard ===
-[https://www.digikey.com/product-detail/en/delta-electronics/PMT-24V50W1AA/1145-1079-ND/4386550 $17.70 -- DigiKey -- Delta Electronics PMT-24V50W1AA]
+Actually an MKS SBASE which is a Smoothieware firmware compatible Smoothieboard clone:
+[[File:MKS_SBASE_V1.1_Stock_Photo.jpg|64x64px]] older MKS SBASE V1.1 that was donated and installed in the K40
+[[File:MKS_SBASE_V1.3_Stock_Photo.jpg|64x64px]] [https://www.amazon.com/dp/B071X8MBYT/ $60.99 -- KINGPRINT NEW Smoothieware Controller Board MKS SBASE V1.3 32bit Controller Panel Board for 3D Printer]
+[https://github.com/pixel3design-hub/MKS-SBASE-FULL-DOCUMENTED MKS SBASE V1.1/V1.2 documentation by pixel3design-hub on GitHub]
+[https://github.com/makerbase-mks/MKS-SBASE/tree/master/English MKS SBASE V1.0-??? documentation by makerbase-mks on GitHub]
+NOTE: post says there is no documentation yet for V1.3, I don't think it's very different from a user standpoint though:<br/>
+[https://github.com/makerbase-mks/MKS-SBASE/issues/39 MKS-SBASE v1.3 Schematic · Issue #39 · makerbase-mks/MKS-SBASE | GitHub]
+TODO: document the custom breakout board Forest Darling acid etched to adapt the original ribbon cable for the X axis and homing switches to 3D printer friendly cables. This special FPC connector was needed:
+[[File:DigiKey_Part_A100331-ND.jpg|64x64px]] [https://www.digikey.com/product-detail/en/te-connectivity-amp-connectors/1-84534-2/A100331-ND/1893453 TE Connectivity AMP Connectors 1-84534-2]
+=== Low Voltage Power Supplies ===
+Dedicated power supplies (not piggy-backing off the laser high voltage power supply):
+[[File:DigiKey_Part_1145-1079-ND.jpg|64x64px]] [https://www.digikey.com/product-detail/en/delta-electronics/PMT-24V50W1AA/1145-1079-ND/4386550 $17.31 -- Delta Electronics PMT-24V50W1AA]
+[[File:DigiKey_Part_1145-1066-ND.jpg|64x64px]] [https://www.digikey.com/product-detail/en/delta-electronics/PMC-05V015W1AA/1145-1066-ND/4386537 $15.45 -- Delta Electronics PMC-05V015W1AA]
+For wiring the 5V power supply to the Raspberry Pi's Micro-USB port:
+[[File:DigiKey_Part_1528-1798-ND.jpg|64x64px]] [https://www.digikey.com/product-detail/en/adafruit-industries-llc/2727/1528-1798-ND/6560938 $1.95 -- Adafruit Industries LLC 2727]
+[[File:DigiKey_Part_EP502A-ND.jpg|64x64px]] [https://www.digikey.com/product-detail/en/mpd-memory-protection-devices/EP502A/EP502A-ND/2439554 $1.02 -- MPD (Memory Protection Devices) EP502A]
+=== Additional Power Outlets ===
+[[File:Amazon_uxcell_5pcs_125V_15A_3-pin_Panel_Mount_Power_Outlets_Stock_Photo.jpg|64x64px]] [https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00GN61W48/ $7.48 -- uxcell 5 Pcs AC 125 15A Power Connector 3 Terminals to US 3 Pin Socket]
+=== Air Assist ===
+[[File:LightObject_18mm_Air_Assist_Head_for_K40_Stock_Photo.jpg|64x64px]] [http://a.co/ipZz3WZ $21.50 -- 18mm Laser Head w/ Air Assisted. Ideal for K40 Machine]
+[[File:TEN-HIGH_18mm_Diameter_2-inch_Focal_Length_ZnSe_CO2_Laser_Focal_Lens_Stock_Photo.jpg|64x64px]] [http://a.co/iUxJEBW $29.99 -- TEN-HIGH Diam 18mm ZnSe Focal Lens for CO2 Laser Cutting, Focal Length of 2"/50.8mm]
+[[File:LightObject_5mm_ID_8mm_OD_Silicon_Flex_Tube_Stock_Photo.jpg|64x64px]] [http://a.co/3kJXVo2 $10.50 -- 5X8 Silicon Flex Tube for Air Assistance or Water Cooling(10ft)]
+[[File:Amazon_Active_Aqua_Commercial_Air_Pump_60W_Stock_Photo.jpg|64x64px]] [http://a.co/600F8aY $46.61 -- Active Aqua Commercial Air Pump, 8 Outlets, 60W, 70 L/min]
+=== Water Pump ===
+The included water pump is noisy and pathetic, and a replacement is very inexpensive:
+[[File:EcoPlus_ECO-396_Stock_Photo.jpg|64x64px]] [https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0018X2XT4/ $23.95 -- EcoPlus 728310 Eco 396 Fixed Flow Submersible/Inline Pump 396 GPH]
+[[File:Banjo_HB050-025_Stock_Photo.jpg|64x64px]] [https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00AB5X28G/ $3.12 -- Banjo HB050-025 Polypropylene Hose Fitting, Adapter, 1/2" NPT Male x 1/4" Barbed]
+=== Ventilation ===
+NOTE: This has not been tested! This is a proposed attachment that allows the use of an in-line pump:<br/>
+[https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00M3JFNOO/ $5.99 -- POWERTEC 70150 Rectangular Dust Hood for 4-Inch Hose]
+== Replacement Parts ==
+=== Laser Power Supply ===
+<gallery>
+EBay_40W_CO2_Laser_Power_Supply_Using_ZYE_MYGG40W_Flyback_Stock_Photo.jpg
+EBay_40W_CO2_Laser_Power_Supply_Using_ZYE_MYGG40W_Flyback_Stock_Photo_2.jpg
+</gallery>
-LightObject air assist head for the K40:<br/>
+[[File:EBay_40W_CO2_Laser_Power_Supply_Using_ZYE_MYGG40W_Flyback_Stock_Photo.jpg|64x64px]] [https://www.ebay.com/itm/182984662205 $65.54 -- 40W Power Supply for CO2 Laser Tubes Engraver Cutter Machine AC 110V]
-[http://a.co/ipZz3WZ $22.00 -- 18mm Laser Head w/ Air Assisted. Ideal for K40 Machine]
-mm diameter 2.0" focal length ZnSe CO2 laser lens, needed for the LightObject air assist head:<br/>
+A higher quality alternative (with a different pinout) from a reputable US seller (still made in China):
-[http://a.co/iUxJEBW $29.45 -- TEH-HIGH Diam 18mm Focal Lens for CO2 Laser Cutting,FL:1.5" 2" 2.5" 3" 4" 5" 7.5"(2"/50.8mm) (1.5"/38.1mm) (2"/50.8mm)]
-mm ID flexible tubing to connect the air assist head to the air pump:<br/>
+[[File:LightObject_LSR-JN40W-1V_Stock_Photo.jpg|64x64px]] [https://www.lightobject.com/20W45W-PWM-CO2-Laser-Power-Supply-AC110V-P71.aspx $205.00 -- 20W~45W PWM CO2 Laser Power Supply (AC110V) | LightObject]
-[http://a.co/3kJXVo2 $9.50 -- 5X8 Silicon Flex Tube for Air Assistance or Water Cooling(10ft)]
-diaphragm air pump:<br/>
+=== High Voltage Cable ===
-[http://a.co/600F8aY $52.95 -- Active Aqua Commercial Air Pump, 8 Outlets, 60W, 70 L/min]
-this 158 GPH submersible water pump is the exact one we're using:<br/>
+[[File:LightObject_LSR-CBLKIT_Stock_Photo.jpg|64x64px]] [https://www.lightobject.com/Laser-Power-Supply-Cable-Repair-Kit-P974.aspx $9.50 -- Laser Power Supply Cable Repair Kit | LightObject]
-[http://a.co/aQHA0G8 $18.52 -- EcoPlus 185 Fixed Flow Submersible/Inline Pump 158 GPH - 728300]
-I might go a size up though to be on the safe side, I feel like ours has on occasion lost it's siphon and not been able to push the water through the system to reestablish it, so maybe get the next size up from the same brand:<br/>
+=== Laser Tube ===
-[http://a.co/hSycQ6Q $23.00 -- EcoPlus 728310 Eco 396 Fixed Flow Submersible/Inline Pump 396 GPH]
-An adapter from the water pump's female port to a male barb to attach the hose:<br/>
+"KH Laser" 40W CO2 laser tube photos:
-[https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00AB5X28G/ Banjo HB050-025 $3.12 -- Polypropylene Hose Fitting, Adapter, 1/2" NPT Male x 1/4" Barbed]
-(future enhancement) air vent adapter:<br/>
+<gallery>
-[https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00M3JFNOO/ $5.99 -- POWERTEC 70150 Rectangular Dust Hood for 4-Inch Hose]
+File:K40_KH_Laser_Tube_Certificate_of_Conformity_Label_Top.jpg|Certificate of Conformity (top)
+File:K40_KH_Laser_Tube_Certificate_of_Conformity_Label_Bottom.jpg|Certificate of Conformity (bottom)
+File:K40_KH_Laser_Tube_QR_Code_Closeup.jpg|QR code
+File:K40_KH_Laser_Tube_Damage_Closeup_1.jpg|water contamination in CO2 gas portion of glassware (1/2)
+File:K40_KH_Laser_Tube_Damage_Closeup_2.jpg|water contamination in CO2 gas portion of glassware (2/2)
+</gallery>

K40 40W CO2 Laser Cutter: Difference between revisions

Revision as of 22:04, 24 October 2019

Contents

Overview