Laser Engraving

More
28 Feb 2018 11:30 #106690 by unfa
Laser Engraving was created by unfa
Hi!

This is my first post on the forums.

I work as a graphic designer and system administrator at a medium-sized company based in Poland.

One thing that we do is laser engraving. We're trying to unify the software stack that we use on all our laser marking systems, and we're looking into the possibility to use open-source software. I do all my graphic design work on Linux Mint with Inkscape, Blender, GIMP, Krita, Natron and the like, so I'm a huge Linux nerd, and I'd love to be able to drive laser engraving systems with Linux - not to mention that'd be way easier to manage for me than Windows-based machines in the local network.

I'd like to ask if LinuxCNC is being used in laser marking systems, is there software for driving the machines, preparing hatched G-code from SVG files etc.?

I'm attaching two images of the setup we use.

The drivers we use are connected to the computer via USB.
Attachments:

Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.

More
28 Feb 2018 13:27 #106695 by Todd Zuercher
Replied by Todd Zuercher on topic Laser Engraving
To be honest Linuxcnc and G-code just isn't particularly well suited to raster laser engraving. It can do ok with vector cutting, but raster just doesn't work all that well. I think there are people who have made rastering work with Linuxcnc, but how well it works I don't know.

I'll be honest as far as I know our laser engraving machines are sent jobs, from CorelDraw similar to sending a job to a printer. You could probably do the same with Inkscape if the right drivers are available.

Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.

  • rodw
  • rodw's Avatar
  • Away
  • Platinum Member
  • Platinum Member
More
28 Feb 2018 21:38 #106764 by rodw
Replied by rodw on topic Laser Engraving
I think the problem is related to the maximum resolution that can be achieved on a 1 millisecond servo thread to turn the laser on and off. At the travel speed used, the smallest possible dot becomes a long line. (the distance travelled in 1 ms) Whilst you can shorten the servo thread, you need powerful hardware.

Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.

More
01 Mar 2018 01:12 #106785 by tommylight
Replied by tommylight on topic Laser Engraving

Hi!



The drivers we use are connected to the computer via USB.


That will not work with Linuxcnc, as USB lags a lot. Parallel port or Mesa or Pico boards can be used at will.
forum.linuxcnc.org/10-advanced-configura...e-superimosing-a-pic
Have a look at that thread, that is the same thing as laser except it uses diamond tips to do the job. Config and link to rastering software included.
FYI that config uses only 1 output for PWM so if you need another output for turning laser on and off, search for 2X laser config, that one has 2 outputs for laser control.

Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.

More
01 Mar 2018 04:12 #106791 by PCW
Replied by PCW on topic Laser Engraving
Well, with proper FPGA hardware, 1 MHz or higher bits rates should be pretty easy, basically you phase lock the data painting FIFO to a motion axis (or calculated surface distance for arbitrary shape data painting applications).
The real issue is a clean integration of graphic data with motion. I know how to do this on the hardware end, but it requires LinuxCNC interpreter support for a clean interface.

Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.

More
01 Mar 2018 12:14 #106795 by unfa
Replied by unfa on topic Laser Engraving
Wow, I didn't expect so much help on your side - much obliged!

We are currently using some software that talks to a Laser driver via USB. Then the laser head is connected via a parallel port to that driver. The good thing is we don't need realtime-capable computers to drive that setup - the bad thing is - I have no idea what protocol is that thing talking through and if it's standarized in any way.

So if I understand correctly - LinuxCNC would replace that driver box, and talk directly to the laser head via LPT.

For laser marking we work on vector graphics - if something comes as a bitmap, be can trace it. However - I don't know about any tools that would perform hatching and G-code generation. Inkscape seems to have some G-code tools but I have no idea how they work and if they are capable enough.

Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.

More
01 Mar 2018 13:13 #106799 by tommylight
Replied by tommylight on topic Laser Engraving
Inkscape comes with gcode tools and in the tool library it does have laser as a tool but i never used that, i use endmill and plasma all the time. It also has bitmap tracing to generate vector graphics with plenty of filters, and subsequently generate gcode that can be run on Linuxcnc directly.

Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.

More
08 Jan 2024 04:52 #290176 by jgarcia
Replied by jgarcia on topic Laser Engraving
Given your Linux preference, check out Monport Laser for its compatibility and user-friendly interface on Linux systems. Best of luck with your integration journey!

Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.

More
11 Jan 2024 16:46 - 11 Jan 2024 16:47 #290436 by unfa
Replied by unfa on topic Laser Engraving
Hey, thanks!

That was ~~5~~ 6 years ago. I've switched jobs twice since then and I am no longer working with manufacturing. Take care!
Last edit: 11 Jan 2024 16:47 by unfa.
The following user(s) said Thank You: tommylight

Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.

Time to create page: 0.075 seconds
Powered by Kunena Forum